Skin *Things* You Shouldn’t Do During Summer
A reminder to avoid some common mistakes.
No other season demands serious sunscreen application more than the hot summer months. But make no mistake: Your summer skincare routine doesn’t start and end with SPF.
As the sun beams down harder and the air gets hotter, it’s essential to adapt your skincare routine to keep your complexion in tip-top shape. And while most of us already know what to do, there are still some of us who unknowingly engage in skin habits that can be damaging especially when done in the summer.
For your info: a list of crucial skin *things* to avoid during the warm months.
1. Don’t overload on the acids.
Skincare acids, such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), do wonders for the skin as exfoliators and brighteners but exercise caution when using them when the sun’s on full blast. High concentrations can exacerbate skin’s sensitivity to UV rays, making you more prone to redness and inflammation.
You can still use acids, though—it’s all about timing. Avoid using them in the day and reserve them for your evening regimen. Dr. Maximin Navarro, Bella Pelle Skin Solutions’ resident dermatologist and a fellow of the Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS), adds, “If you’re planning on an activity that involves prolonged sun exposure, it is advisable to avoid using AHAs and BHAs from 48 to 72 hours prior and to restart application a week after sun exposure.”
Looking for a good way to incorporate acids safely during summer? Use a gentle acid-based cleanser to exfoliate skin and clarify pores.
Try: Mesoestetic Brightening Foam, P2,200
This creamy cleansing foam contains glycolic acid and lactic acid at a low concentration to safely improve skin texture, quality, and brightness.
2. Avoid hot showers.
Hot showers may feel relaxing, but they can strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry, especially in the summer heat. Stick to lukewarm water for cleansing and finish with a cool rinse to help close pores and lock in moisture. Opt for a hypoallergenic, non-drying soap, too, like Vanicream Cleansing Bar, P720.
3. Don’t neglect your lips.
Without the natural protection of melanin, lips are susceptible to sun damage, resulting in dryness and flakiness. Keep them nourished by regularly applying a moisturizing lip treatment, like Bioderma Atoderm Lip Balm, P980. A lip product with SPF can also help keep lips protected and prevent sunburn.
4. Don’t over-expose your skin and scalp to the sun.
While a dose of vitamin D is essential, over-exposure to the sun’s UV rays—especially during the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.—can be severely damaging to skin, so it’s best to avoid the sun at these times. If you will be outdoors for an extended period, make sure you put on a high-protection sunscreen with at least SPF 50.
Don’t forget to protect your hair and scalp, too, by covering up with hats or scarves. According to a 2019 study, UV rays can damage hair just like the skin and can even damage the hair follicle. “Wearing a wide brim hat—especially if it is labeled with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 50+—is probably the best protection for your scalp,” says Dr. Navarro, adding that umbrellas significantly help, too.
He also advises “wearing prescription glasses or sunglasses with UV protection” to protect the eyes from UV rays. “According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, you should choose sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays, and UV 400-protected sunglasses do this.”
Lasty, a sunscreen spray can help with protection: Spray it along your hairline and on your part before going outside. Oral sunscreens can also provide antioxidant protection from within. Dr. Navarro emphasizes, “These recommendations are not only applicable during the summer season but all year long.”
Try: Heliocare 360 Invisible Spray SPF 50+, P2,250
This invisible spray with SPF 50+ is perfect for outdoor activities, and can also be used on the scalp without any worries of residue. (Find and compare other Heliocare sunscreens here.)
5. Don’t skip the moisturizer even if you have oily skin.
Hydration is vital for all skin types, even oily ones, more so during the sunny season. To avoid that uncomfortable, heavy feeling often associated with rich moisturizers, choose a lightweight, oil-free formula to keep your skin hydrated without clogging pores. Plus points if your moisturizer has built-in SPF, too.
Try: TDF Ultra Light Hydrator, P1,700
This sheer, lightweight, and oil-free skin hydrator provides intense moisturization while feeling like you have nothing on.
Also recommended: An ultra-pampering, hydrating treatment, like the AquaPure Aqua Facial (P3,500 per session), which is helpful for dehydrated, sun-damaged, dull, and mature skin. Book an appointment here.
6. Don’t wear heavy makeup in the heat.
Heavy foundations and powders can feel stifling in the summer heat and can lead to pore blockage as they combine with sweat, oil, and dirt. Go for lighter formulas like tinted moisturizers or BB creams for coverage that won’t weigh your skin down, and use a primer to help your makeup last longer in the heat.
Tinted sunscreens are also good alternatives, combining SPF and cosmetic benefits in one.
Try: Mesoestetic Mesoprotech Melan 130 Pigment Control, P3,450
This powerhouse sunscreen in a light, pigmented fluid format offers high sun protection and is formulated specifically for skin with pigmentations.
Peak Beauty Sundaze Mattifying Tinted Sunscreen, P850
Prefer a fresh matte finish? This smooth sunscreen cream doubles as a powder-finish foundation and a weightless UVA/UVB protector.
Heliocare Oil-Free Compact Color SPF 50, P2,700
This oil-free foundation shields against sun damage while delivering full coverage with a matte finish—ideal for normal, oily, or acne-prone skin types.
7. Don’t skimp on post-sun care.
What you do after sun exposure also matters: Make sure to treat your skin with a soothing after-sun lotion or gel to calm inflammation and replenish moisture. You may also consider using a hydrating face mask to give your skin an extra boost of hydration and nourishment.
Try: Froika Froicalm, P2,300
This fast-acting skin saver is formulated with calamine, omega fish oil, and pantothenol to quickly soothe dry, itchy, or sunburnt skin.
Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume, P1,990
This skin moisturizer is enriched with soothing and purifying agents to instantly calm irritation and also relieve itching.
Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion, starts at P1,260
Ultra light and gentle, this moisturizing lotion for the face, hands, and body is free of dyes, fragrances, and other potential irritants—so it’s ideal even for those with sensitive skin.
Taking care of your skin is a year-round commitment, but with a little extra attention during the summer months, you can ensure that your skin stays healthy and glowing—even despite the scorching temps.
For customized skincare recommendations, you can book a face-to-face or virtual dermatological consultation with Dr. Maximin Navarro, our resident dermatologist and a Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) fellow, here. You may also contact the Bella Pelle Skin Solutions Clinic at (+63) 999-887-1933. For a full list of facial services and other treatments, click here.
Bella Pelle Skin Solutions is located 2/F L Building, #142 Katipunan, Brgy. Saint Ignatius, Quezon City. The center is open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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