An Eczema-Friendly Summer Skincare Routine Focused on Anti-Aging and Hydration

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Since it’s a new season, I’m here with an updated summer skincare routine. 

Summer is my favorite season! Think of summer travel, beach days, and summer Fridays. But, it’s not the easiest season for my skin. 

The weather significantly impacts your skin since it is vital in determining the type of products you need, and I definitely switch some things up in my summer skincare routine.

I live in New York, where summers are hot and very humid. I can easily break into a sweat during the summer months before I step out the door. So, I adjust my summer skincare routine to account for the weather change.

So, I’m giving you an update on everything I’m currently using and testing for the summer. I’m also listing the steps in the order I layer them.

DISCLOSURE: I’m not a dermatologist or esthetician. If you have severe skin concerns, please seek professional help before trying out new products.

If you missed my other seasonal routines, check out what I used in the fall and winter. And if you’re just starting your skincare journey, check out my post on How To Build A Skincare Routine, so you know what to invest in first.

MY SUMMER SKINCARE ROUTINE GOALS

Here’s a quick overview of my summer skincare routine goals, focused on hydration, sun protection, and anti-aging:

• Hydration: I can easily get away with layering on hydration and moisture in the colder months. But too many layers can break me out when it’s hot and humid. So, my summer skincare routine is focused on balancing hydration without layering too many skincare products.
• Sun Protection: It goes without saying that sun protection is a must. There’s no such thing as a safe tan, but it never deters me from wanting to get one in the summer. I love the natural glow I get after a few hours in the sun. It’s so relaxing, too. So, my summer skincare routine is focused on face and body sunscreens that are easy to apply! It’s a must since I have to use them daily.
• Anti-Aging: The skin you have now is the only skin you’ll ever get. I’m 40 now, so I’m focused on skincare products and treatments that help me “age gracefully”. So expect to see all the peptides, retinoids, and microcurrent devices in my summer skincare routine. I’m particularly hoping to get some results around the eye area (which is always the first to show fine lines). We’ll see what happens!

In the summer, my skin type is more combination (the perimeter of my face is dry, but my t-zone can get oily). I am also very prone to dehydration. And, as I noted before, I live in New York, where the summers are hot and humid.

I say this because my summer skincare routine reflects my environment, age, lifestyle, and concerns.

MY MORNING (AM) SUMMER SKINCARE ROUTINE

The purpose of my morning skincare routine is to prep and protect my skin for the day.

STEP 1: CLEANSER

I know the topic of whether you need to wash your face in the morning or not can be pretty controversial. But, I believe, for the most part, you should wash your face morning and night. 

Cleansing too much can dry your skin, so do what works for you. But, if you’re oily or find yourself waking up oily, you should cleanse in the morning. And in the summer months, I definitely sweat at night. So, my summer skincare routine calls for me to wash my face in the morning.

2022 SUMMER CLEANSERS IN ROTATION:

1. AbsoluteJOI Skincare Hydrating Gel Foam Cleanser (reviewed here)
2. Naturium Niacinamide Cleansing Gelée 3%
3. ROSE Ingleton MD Superfruit Brightening Cleanser (get 20% off your entire order using code BEAUTYINCOLOR at checkout)

STEP 2: VITAMIN C SERUM (OR AN ANTIOXIDANT SERUM)

Everyone knows how much I love Vitamin C for my skin. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps with overall brightness, evening the skin tone, and getting rid of those pesky dark marks (otherwise known as hyperpigmentation).

2022 SUMMER VITAMIN C SERUMS IN ROTATION:

1. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
2. Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster

STEP 3: FACE MIST

Here’s when I start to add hydration to my skincare routine. Your skin is like a sponge. So, when it’s damp, what you apply afterward penetrates deeper. Since my skin is dehydrated, I use a face mist followed by a hyaluronic serum most mornings.

2022 SUMMER FACE MISTS IN ROTATION:

1. Caudalie Grape Water 
2. LaRoche Posay Thermal Spring Water
3. Avene Thermal Spring Water

STEP 4: HYALURONIC SERUM

Since I’m prone to dehydration, hyaluronic serums do wonders for my skin. Hyaluronic acid is a natural humectant. It can draw water into the skin and make it look plump, glowy, and youthful. Hyaluronic acid essentially acts as a sponge for your face by attracting and retaining water.

Skin Tip: Apply your hyaluronic serum on damp skin and lock it all in by putting your moisturizer on top.

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2022 SUMMER HYALURONIC SERUMS IN ROTATION:

1. Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum
2. NIOD Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex 
3. Paula’s Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster
4. La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum

STEP 5: SUNSCREEN

This hot, humid NYC weather has me drawn toward moisturizing sunscreens. Layering on a moisturizer and sunscreen before stepping into a subway station in 85-degree heat is too much for me. 

Sunscreen is one of the ESSENTIAL skincare steps in your routine.

If you aren’t wearing SPF, you can’t expect results from any other skincare steps. – Dana of Beauty In Color

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Protect your skin and wear sunscreen every day, no matter what. I prefer a broad-spectrum SPF because they’re easy to rub in. But, there is a mineral sunscreen below that has surprised me!

2022 SUMMER SUNSCREENS IN ROTATION:

1. Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50
2. Paula’s Choice Youth Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50
3. Eucerin Sun Age Defense SPF 50
4. AbsoluteJOI Skincare Tinted Moisturizer With SPF 40 Mineral Sunscreen

MY EVENING (PM) SUMMER SKINCARE ROUTINE

The purpose of my evening skincare routine is to repair and correct my skin.

STEP 1: FIRST CLEANSE

You all know how I feel about double cleansing. And all the oil cleansers I list below can dissolve the makeup and grit on your face after a long NYC summer day without leaving a residue.

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2022 SUMMER OIL BALMS IN ROTATION:

1. Deviant Skincare Cleansing Concentrate
2. AbsoluteJOI Skincare Sunflower & Moringa Fresh Cleansing Oil (reviewed here)
3. Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm (reviewed here)
4. Naturium Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm

STEP 2: SECOND CLEANSE

I typically reach for milky-gel cleansers during the summer months. For more information on how to choose the best cleanser for you, check out this blog post.

2022 SUMMER CLEANSERS IN ROTATION:

I use the same cleansers as in my morning skincare routine.

1. AbsoluteJOI Skincare Hydrating Gel Foam Cleanser (reviewed here)
2. Naturium Niacinamide Cleansing Gelée 3%
3. ROSE Ingleton MD Superfruit Brightening Cleanser (get 20% off your entire order using code BEAUTYINCOLOR at checkout)

STEP 3: TREATMENT(S)

After my face is clean, I generally apply an “active” to target specific skincare concerns. This could range from a peptide serum to retinol.

Here are some the of treatments I’m rotating in my summer skincare routine:

• Niacinamide helps fade hyperpigmentation, prevent breakouts, and improve skin tone. It also refines the appearance of pores and skin texture. When I consistently incorporate niacinamide into my routine, my skin tone looks even with reduced redness. I’ve been using the 10% Niacinamide Booster from Paula’s Choice.
• Peptides are another ingredient I’m incorporating into my skincare routine because they provide significant anti-aging benefits. They target firmness, dullness, wrinkles, and discoloration. I like the NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 3:1 and NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Lipid 1%.
• Retinol promotes skin cell turnover, slows collagen breakdown, and thickens the skin where wrinkles start forming. I’m currently rotating Paula’s Choice 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment, Shani Darden Retinol Reform Treatment Serum, and AbsoluteJOI Skincare Skin Refining Night Oil (reviewed here).
• Acid Toners are my preferred method of exfoliation. Most of the acid toners I love are gentle: Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant and Pestle & Mortar NMF Lactic Acid Toner). But, when I crave a more potent exfoliant, I’ll use my Biologique Recherche’s P50V 1970. Check out my first impressions of this product here.
• Skin Barrier Serums help strengthen the skin barrier and soothe the skin. Keeping your skin barrier strong is crucial to healthy skin. And when you have eczema-prone skin, you always have a few calming serums in your arsenal. I usually rotate my Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Serum (reviewed here), NIOD Modulating Glucosides (reviewed here), and Bioeffect’s EGF Serum (reviewed here).

DISCLAIMER: Because my skin is sensitive, I generally apply only ONE active per skincare routine. Many of these products can irritate your skin, especially when layered incorrectly.

STEP 4: MOISTURIZER

Although I use lighter moisturizers in the summer, I don’t mind being a little more “glazed” when I sleep.

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2022 SUMMER MOISTURIZERS IN ROTATION:

1. Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream
2. SkinFix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Niacinamide Restoring Gel Cream
3. Naturium Multi-Peptide Moisturizer

STEP 5: FACE OIL

Face oils are a mandatory part of my routine in the winter, but I don’t use them most summer nights. You’ll usually catch me using face oil in the summer when I give myself a facial massage.

2022 SUMMER FACE OILS IN ROTATION:

1. Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Antioxidant Face Oil (reviewed here)
2. Indie Lee Squalane Oil
3. Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+

MY SUMMER SKINCARE ROUTINE EXTRAS

CLEAN SKIN CLUB CLEAN TOWELS

As you can tell, I put a lot into every aspect of my routine. And I don’t want an unlikely culprit for irritation, like a dirty face towel, breaking me out. Washcloths might look clean, but they can collect a lot of dirt, makeup, oil, and dead skin cells that you can’t even see.

So, I’ve been using the Clean Skin Club Clean Towels for four years. These disposable, biodegradable towels are large, soft, and durable. I use them during my morning and evening routine. Check out my blog review here for all the details on my love for them!

For 20% off your purchase, use my code “BEAUTYINCOLORBLOG” in the discount code box when you checkout.

ZIIP BEAUTY MICROCURRENT DEVICE

I’ve been using the ZIIP Beauty device more consistently and enjoy the results. This device is a great way to stimulate collagen production, reduce wrinkles, and keep the skin firm and tight.

Get 20% OFF your ZIIP Beauty device using my discount code “DANA20” at checkout.

That’s my updated summer skincare routine.

DISCLAIMER: Keep in mind that your skincare routine doesn’t need to be this intricate. So, if I’ve inspired you to try something new, I advise you to introduce just ONE new product into your routine. That way, you’ll know which products are working and not working… and you won’t irritate your skin. Check out my post on How To Build A Routine for your must-have skincare steps.

What’s your summer skincare routine?
Have you tried any of the products I mentioned? Leave it in the comments below.