Summer Skincare: Lighter Layers, Same Discipline

Short answer: A summer skincare routine keeps the same order as the rest of the year with lighter textures: a gentle cleanser, an antioxidant or hydrating serum, a light moisturiser and a generous layer of broad-spectrum sunscreen, reapplied when you are outdoors. Heat changes which textures feel comfortable. Daily sunscreen stays the one step you never skip.

• Swap: rich creams for lighter lotions or a thinner layer, where your skin asks for it.
• Keep: cleansing, a moisturiser (yes, even for oily skin) and daily sunscreen.
• Morning serum: vitamin C under sunscreen; a brighter look typically takes four to six weeks.
• Exfoliation: no more often than usual, and never on sunburned skin.

What changes in your skin in summer?

Mostly the environment around it. Heat and humidity make you sweat more, and skin can look shinier by midday. Rich creams that felt comforting in January can feel greasy in July. UV levels are higher and you spend more time outdoors. And air conditioning, sea salt and pool water can still leave skin feeling dry, even in hot weather.

So summer skincare is less about adding products and more about adjusting weights, so that you keep using the routine instead of abandoning it because it feels heavy.

What does a good summer morning routine look like?

Four steps, all light, with sunscreen last.

1. Cleanse with a gentle foam or gel, or simply rinse with water if your skin is dry.
2. Serum. An antioxidant serum suits summer mornings. Our Vitamin C Brightening Serum combines 2% natural vitamin C with 1% ferulic acid, 1% sea buckthorn and hyaluronic acid in a silky, fast-absorbing texture. Massage a few drops into the face and neck. Allow a typical four to six weeks of daily use for a brighter, more even-looking complexion. It contains fragrance.
3. Moisturise with a lighter lotion or a thinner layer of your usual cream.
4. Your sunscreen, generously, as the final step. Reapply roughly every two hours when you are outdoors, and after swimming, sweating heavily or towelling off.

One point is easy to get wrong. Vitamin C provides antioxidant care, but it is not a sunscreen and does not replace one. We do not sell sunscreen, and no product in our range contains SPF. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen you like enough to wear every day.

What should your summer evening routine include?

A thorough cleanse, light hydration and a moisturiser sized to the night. Sunscreen and sweat need removing properly, so take your time with the cleanse. Then use a hydrating serum and a lighter amount of moisturiser.

Our Exosome & Niacinamide Serum is a lightweight, fragrance-free serum that suits warm evenings. Niacinamide helps improve the look of uneven skin tone and supports a healthy-looking skin barrier, two forms of hyaluronic acid add weightless hydration, and a gentle touch of lactic acid helps refine the look of skin texture. Lactic acid is an AHA, which can make skin more sensitive to the sun, so wear sunscreen the following morning, as you should anyway.

If skin feels tight after a day in the sun and air conditioning, a water-based jelly is another option. The Bioactive Prebiotics Jelly Serum pairs hyaluronic acid, sodium PCA and glycerin with prebiotics in a texture that is never greasy. It contains fragrance, alcohol and patchouli oil, so patch test it first if your skin reacts easily.

How does a summer routine differ from a winter one?

The steps stay the same. The weight and frequency change.

Step	Winter	Summer
Cleanser	Gentle, possibly creamier	Gentle foam or gel; a thorough evening cleanse to remove sunscreen
Serum	Hydrating, sometimes layered	Light, water-based; vitamin C in the morning
Moisturiser	Richer cream	Lighter texture or a thinner layer
Sunscreen	Every morning	Every morning, reapplied outdoors
Exfoliation	Your usual schedule	Your usual schedule; skip it before long days in the sun
Body	Body oil or cream after every shower	A lighter amount on damp skin; sunscreen on exposed areas

Do you still need moisturiser if your skin is oily in summer?

Yes, but a lighter one. Oil and water are different things. Skin can be shiny and still feel tight underneath, especially after sun, wind or air conditioning. A light lotion or gel moisturiser keeps skin comfortable without adding shine. If even that feels too much, a hydrating serum alone can be enough on very humid days. Sunscreen still goes on top.

Should you exfoliate in summer?

Yes, at your usual frequency, with extra care around the sun. Exfoliating removes dull surface cells, and freshly exfoliated skin deserves protection. Keep exfoliation for evenings, skip it before a beach day, and never exfoliate skin that is sunburned, peeling or stinging. If you use an exfoliating acid, daily sunscreen is not optional.

Common mistakes with summer skincare

• Skipping sunscreen on cloudy days. UV passes through cloud.
• Using too little sunscreen. A thin layer gives far less protection than the label states.
• Relying on the SPF in makeup. Nobody applies enough foundation to reach the protection on the label.
• Leaving products in a hot car or on a sunny windowsill. Heat speeds up the breakdown of vitamin C and makes oils go stale faster.
• Starting a strong new active right before a holiday. Test new products weeks ahead, at home.
• Dropping moisturiser altogether. Lighter, not none.

What summer skincare won't do

No serum makes up for skipped sunscreen, and nothing "detoxes" sweat out of your pores. If skin burns, blisters, or you feel unwell after sun exposure, see a doctor or pharmacist rather than reaching for skincare. A consistent, lighter routine plus sunscreen keeps skin comfortable and looking even through the summer. See the full skincare collection, and our guide to when to use vitamin C serum.

Frequently asked questions

Should I change my skincare routine in summer?

Keep the same steps and lighten the textures. Most people swap a rich cream for a lighter lotion and pay more attention to sunscreen reapplication. Actives can stay, used as usual.

Can I use vitamin C serum in summer?

Yes. Morning is a natural time for it, under your moisturiser and sunscreen. It provides antioxidant care and, with daily use, typically a brighter look over four to six weeks. It does not replace sunscreen.

Do I need moisturiser if I sweat a lot?

Sweat is mostly water and salt and evaporates quickly, so it does not keep skin moisturised. A light moisturiser still helps skin feel comfortable, especially in air-conditioned rooms.

How often should I reapply sunscreen in summer?

The standard advice is roughly every two hours when you are outdoors, and straight after swimming, heavy sweating or towelling. Indoors, one generous morning application is usually enough.

Is niacinamide good to use in summer?

Yes. It is light, works under sunscreen and suits warm weather. It helps improve the look of uneven tone and helps support a healthy-looking skin barrier.

Last reviewed: October 2026.