The 4 beauty habits dermatologists swear by all summer long
Every summer, skin takes a far greater beating than it does the rest of the year: intense sun, relentless heat, increased sweating. Yet adapting your beauty habits to the season doesn’t mean overhauling your entire routine. Several dermatologists shared with Time magazine the gestures they personally adopt once the warm weather arrives, and some of their advice is far more accessible than you might expect.
Why the forgotten zones deserve just as much attention as your face
We tend to think about protecting the face and décolletage, but other parts of the body regularly slip under the radar. The ears, the hair parting, the tops of the feet, the lips, and the backs of the legs are just as exposed to the sun as everywhere else. These areas, so often overlooked in a daily routine, deserve equally rigorous protection.
This simple beauty habit can make a real difference over time. Applying sunscreen to these forgotten surfaces takes just a few extra seconds, but dermatologists are emphatic about their vulnerability. Unprotected skin is exposed skin, regardless of where it sits on the body.
Boosting sun protection with an antioxidant serum
Sunscreen remains the non-negotiable cornerstone of any summer beauty habit. But some dermatologists go a step further by layering an antioxidant serum underneath, applied before the SPF. Vitamin C, in particular, helps counteract the oxidative stress triggered by UV rays and pollution.
This extra step doesn’t replace sun protection, it enhances it. By combining the two products, skin benefits from a dual action: a physical barrier against UV rays and cellular support against environmental aggressors. It’s a pairing well worth considering for skin that faces daily sun exposure.
Tinted SPF, an ally against pigmentation and visible light
For those prone to dark spots or melasma, the choice of sunscreen formula matters. A tinted sunscreen, thanks to its iron oxide content, offers an added advantage over a standard SPF. It helps filter visible light, which can also intensify pigmentation.
This targeted beauty habit is aimed primarily at skin sensitive to uneven tone. The tinted formula serves a dual purpose: lightly evening out imperfections while broadening protection against a wider spectrum of light beyond UV rays alone.
- Apply a vitamin C serum before SPF to combat oxidative stress
- Choose a tinted sunscreen with iron oxides if you’re dealing with melasma or dark spots
- Protect the often-forgotten zones: ears, hair parting, lips, tops of feet, backs of legs
- Limit body exfoliation to around once a week during summer
Easing up on exfoliation when the sun is out
In summer, skin is already under significant strain from repeated sun exposure. Piling on overly frequent or aggressive scrubs only weakens the epidermis further. Dermatologist Melanie Palm recommends sticking to gentle exfoliation and keeping body scrubs to no more than once a week.
This advice runs counter to some deeply ingrained habits. Many people associate summer with intensive skin upkeep, particularly after long days in the sun. Yet scaling back on exfoliation is one of the beauty habits that dermatology professionals consider essential for preserving skin integrity throughout the season.
By making these few seasonal adjustments, your summer routine becomes more effective without growing more complicated. These expert-validated gestures are a reminder that the best beauty habits are often built on simple principles, applied consistently and with care.
