As summer months are upon on us, protecting and nourishing your skin is essential, especially with a predicted heatwave in the next couple of weeks.

With this in mind, experts at beauty and wellness marketplace Fresha have shared their top tips for maintaining healthy skin during the sunnier months.

Always protect your skin from the sun

This is arguably the most important tip on the list, and if it’s not already incorporated into your daily skincare routine, make sure it is this season.

It’s recommended to apply a high SPF, such as SPF 30 or 50, after you cleanse but before you moisturise to fully protect your skin from damage.

Doing so will help reduce your risk of skin cancer, premature ageing, sunburn, and hyperpigmentation.

Remember to apply suncream all over, including those easy-to-miss areas, such as your ears, neck, and uncovered areas of the scalp. Reapply as the day goes on, as sweating, water, and increased movement can lead to suncream rubbing off, leaving you unprotected.

Maintain hydration from the inside out

It sounds obvious, but drinking plenty of water throughout the day not only nourishes your body, but also keeps your skin hydrated from the inside out, so be sure not to neglect this.

Eating water-rich foods, such as oranges, cucumbers, avocados, nuts and even sweet potatoes, is also a great way to achieve glowing and hydrated skin.

During the warmer seasons, opt for a lightweight moisturiser to hydrate your skin. Look for ones that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe vera and lactic acid, as these help to lock in moisture.

Keep a cucumber or rose facial mist handy to hydrate your skin on the go for an easy refresh.

Managing oil and sweat

If you can, choose oil-free and non-comedogenic skincare products. These are specifically designed to prevent clogged pores, which can lead to product buildup, breakouts, and blemishes.

Blotting papers can be a great way to manage your oil and sweat, as these small, compact sheets absorb excess oil on your skin. Gently press the sheet to oily areas, such as your nose, forehead and chin, until the sheet has absorbed all it can.

However, be careful not to over-blot your skin by repeatedly removing all oil from your skin, as this can lead to increased production of oil.

Gentle exfoliation is key

With our skin naturally renewing itself every 28 days, exfoliating two to three times a week removes dead skin cells by breaking the bonds that glue them together, allowing new cells to surface.

This not only reduces the risk of clogged pores, which can be more prevalent in the heat, but it also gives your skin an instant boost of glow.

Gentle exfoliation can also smooth the skin’s surface, even out skin texture and minimise the appearance of discolouration, providing a smooth base for makeup application.

Remember to find the exfoliator that works for you and your skin and always opt a gentle one, staying away from harsh and irritating ingredients such as perfumes, phthalates and sodium lauryl sulfate.

Opt for light makeup in the sun

Under a blazing sun, a full face of makeup can feel heavy and may not withstand the heat. Instead, opt for a lightweight and breathable base, such as a lighter foundation or BB cream, to go on top of your sun cream.

Embrace the beautiful glow that the summer gives us, swapping matte powders and lipsticks for light, illuminating setting powders and tinted lip balms. Finish with a refreshing setting spray to keep your makeup in place all day.

Don’t overload your skin with new products

It is important to remember that the change in temperature does not require a complete change in your usual skincare routine. Overloading the skin with too many products, especially new ones, can evoke skincare issues or exacerbate existing ones.

Aim to trial new products and carefully monitor how your skin responds to them on a daily basis.

Using one product at a time allows you to see the true results with no other factors affecting them, rather than using too many at once and trying to figure out which one isn’t working for you.

These steps will ensure that your skincare routine is suitable for your needs, particularly in the warm weather.

“The summer can bring challenges to your skin, so adapting your skincare routine to this warmer season and expected heatwave is vital.

This guide emphasises the importance of hydration, UV protection, and gentle exfoliation to protect and nourish your skin’s barrier, says a spokesperson from Fresha.

“Hopefully, these tips can offer inspiration to those struggling with issues of oiliness, irritation or sun damage during these warmer months.”