Top 5 Summer Facial Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Hot weather, strong UV rays, and sweat can do more than just give you a summer glow. They can also sneak in some serious skin trouble. As a student esthetician, I see so many people unknowingly sabotaging their skin during the summer months. I especially see this with those dealing with hormonal acne, hyperpigmentation, and sensitivity.
Today, we’re breaking down the Top 5 Summer Facial Mistakes and How to Avoid Them all season long so your skin can thrive! ☀️
1 Skipping Sunscreen or Only Using it Once
The Mistake: Applying SPF once in the morning and then forgetting about it for the rest of the day and never touching that bottle of sunscreen again.
The Fix: Sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours, especially if you’re sweating, swimming, or outdoors.
☀️ Why It Matters: If you’re dealing with hormonal hyperpigmentation, melasma, or post-acne marks, UV rays can make it worse (and faster)! Unprotected sun exposure triggers your pigment cells and deepens dark spots, even if you’re wearing makeup or sitting by a window.
🧴 Pro Tip: Keep sunscreen that is in a spray or a small travel bottle for easy reapplication throughout the day.
2 Over-Cleansing or Stripping Skin
The Mistake: Washing your face too often with harsh cleansers to remove sweat & oil.
The Fix: Stick to a gentle cleanser, and avoid anything too foamy, drying, or scrubby. Some people even skip the cleanser in the AM and wash their face with just water.
💧 Why it Matters: Hot weather increases our oil production (sweating), but stripping our skin too much will only damage our skin barrier. This can lead to breakouts, sensitivity, and more inflammation. If you’re already dealing with PCOS, hormonal breakouts, or rosacea, your skin needs more balance, not aggressive cleaning.
🧼 Try: Cleansers with hydrating & calming ingredients. (Think green tea, glycerin, or calendula)
3 Not Adjusting Your Routine for the Season
The Mistake: Using heavy, winter skincare in the summer heat.
The Fix: swap in lighter moisturizers, hydrating toners, and calming mists to keep your skin happy without clogging your pores.
Why it Matters: Overloading your skin in the heat can lead to congestion, blackheads, and breakouts, especially if your skin is already reactive.
Try: Soothing summer ingredients like aloe Vera, mugwort, licorice root, and beta-glucan.
4 Over-Exfoliating or Using Harsh Actives with Sun Exposure ☀️
The Mistake: Overdoing exfoliation or layering too many actives in hot weather.
The Fix: Exfoliate gently 1-3 times per week, and always use actives at night with SPF in the morning (and reapplied throughout the day).
Why it Matters: USing AHAs, BHAs, or retinoids too often in the summer can cause irritation, and peeling, and even worsen existing hyperpigmentation, especially if your skin is already sensitive.
Try: Barrier-loving alternatives for the summer, like azelaic acid, niacinamide, and snail mucin.
5 Ignoring Hormonal Triggers
The Mistake: Not supporting your skin through stress, cycle changes, and your summer lifestyle.
The Fix: Pay attention to your skin’s signals. Stay hydrated, manage stress, and avoid overly stimulating products when you know your skin is more reactive (such as during your period).
🌸 Why it Matters: Hormonal fluctuations, like during PMS or PCOS flare-ups, can make skin extra oily, sensitive, or inflamed. Heat, sugar, and lack of sleep will only add fuel to the. Fire.
Try: Calming & Balancing Ingredients like squalane, rice extract, chamomile, or zinc PCA.
Sooth, Protect, & Glow All Summer Long ☀️
Your summer skincare routine doesn’t need to be complicated or drastically different from the rest of the year. Be intentional with how you change your routine. Whether you’re dealing with hormonal breakouts, pigmentation, or just trying to keep a healthy glow throughout the season, focus on these three summer rules:
✨Protect (SPF always!)
✨Hydrate (Inside & Out)
✨ Calm (with barrier-loving ingredients)
💌Need help choosing calming products for your skin type? DM me @SkinByIsabela or comment below with your skin goals! 💖
