Summer is here again! The sun’s warming up and is almost at its “A-game”. All of this is happening pretty soon. According to the weather departments across the globe, we might be in for one of the hottest summers the world’s ever seen. So what should you do? Read this blog till the end and know everything you need to. While most blogs will tell you what to do in order to protect yourself and your skin, here are 10 common summer skincare mistakes and how to avoid them.
Table of contents
10 Common Summer Skincare Mistakes & How To Avoid Them
5) Using Heavy Skincare Products
7) Neglecting Your Lips and Eyes
8) Not Showering After Swimming
10) Ignoring Sun Protection For The Rest Of Your Body
Summer Skincare Mistakes
I am sure you all know what to do with your skin as soon as summer arrives. But are you aware of the mistakes you are making? Read below to know more:
1) Skipping Sunscreen
One of the biggest skincare mistakes is skipping daily sunscreen application. Harmful UV rays are present year-round and can cause sunburn, hyperpigmentation, and premature aging. For optimal protection, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply every two hours, or more often if sweating or swimming. Daily sunscreen use reduces the risk of skin cancer and helps maintain youthful-looking skin by preventing collagen breakdown, fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots.
2) Re-applying Sunscreen
Applying sunscreen once in the morning is insufficient as its effectiveness diminishes over time due to sweat, water, and natural oil production. For consistent protection, reapply sunscreen every two hours when outdoors and more frequently after swimming or sweating. Even indoors, reapplication every four to six hours is advisable, especially if near windows, to combat UVA rays and blue light from devices.
3) Overwashing Your Face
Overwashing your face can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. Stick to washing your face no more than twice a day with a gentle, hydrating cleanser to keep it clean without causing damage. Over-cleansing can destroy the skin barrier function, which in turn allows bacteria to enter and cause breakouts.
4) Ignoring Hydration
The human body is made up of 70 percent water. Ignoring hydration is a common skincare mistake. While often associated with winter, hydration is crucial in the summer due to heat and sun exposure, which can lead to dehydration. Drink plenty of water and use lightweight, water-based moisturizers to maintain skin hydration. Hydrated skin stays smooth, healthy, and radiant because hydration involves absorbing moisture and infusing skin cells with water.
5) Using Heavy Skincare Products
Using heavy skincare products can clog pores and cause breakouts in humid weather. Switch to lightweight, gel-based moisturizers and water-based serums to keep your skin nourished without feeling greasy. In humid conditions, the skin is already prone to increased sebum production, potentially leading to clogged pores and acne breakouts. Lightweight products prevent the overproduction of oil, which helps the skin to breathe and stay balanced.
6) Exfoliating Too Much
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, but over-exfoliating can compromise your skin's barrier, increasing sun sensitivity. Limit exfoliation to 1-2 times a week, adjusting based on your skin type, and use gentle exfoliants like fruit enzyme-based scrubs or chemical exfoliants appropriate for your skin type. Over-exfoliation can cause redness, inflammation, and increased sensitivity.
7) Neglecting Your Lips and Eyes
The skin on your lips and around your eyes is delicate and prone to sun damage. Use a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher to protect your lips. Wear sunglasses with UV protection to shield your eyes from harmful rays.
8) Not Showering After Swimming
Chlorine and salt water can dry out your skin and irritate it. Always rinse off with fresh water after swimming to remove chlorine, salt, and other chemicals. Follow up with a gentle, hydrating moisturizer to restore your skin's moisture balance.
9) Wearing Too Much Makeup
Heavy foundation and makeup can clog pores and lead to breakouts, especially in the summer heat. Opt for lightweight, breathable formulas or switch to tinted moisturizers with SPF for lighter coverage.
10) Ignoring Sun Protection For The Rest Of Your Body
While it's common to focus on facial sun protection, the rest of your body also needs it. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all exposed areas, including your neck, arms, and hands, to prevent sunburn, premature aging and reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Befriend Oteria This Summer
Oteria understands the challenges of summer skincare and offers a range of products designed to keep your skin healthy and protected. Our products are made for all skin types and genders. Here are a few of our summer-friendly skincare products:
Velvet Dew Skin Lotion
Oteria’s Velvet Dew Skin Lotion is a 72-hour hydrating, lightweight moisturizer designed to plump and nourish the skin. Enriched with extracts of Aloe Vera and Natural sugars, it is clinically proven to increase hydration, leaving your skin soft, smooth, and refreshed. Available in a 200 ml bottle, this lotion provides long-lasting moisture without feeling heavy.
Benefits
● Plumps the skin
● 72 hours moisturising effect
● Clinically proven to increase hydration
● Prevents age-induced skin dryness
Key ingredients
Aloe Vera: Binds moisture to the skin, relieving dryness.
Natural Sugars: Soothes dry, acne-prone skin, leaving it radiant.
How to use
Apply the required quantity of the product on the skin using upward strokes until completely absorbed.
Caution
FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. Keep protected from light and moisture at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. Keep out of reach of children.
Sun-Kissed Suncare Gel
Oteria’s Sun-Kissed Suncare Gel is your ultimate defense against sunburn, photoaging, and UVA damage, ensuring radiant and well-protected skin. Infused with extracts of Aloe Vera and Vegetable Pear, this lightweight gel soothes, hydrates, and shields your skin, making it a perfect sun-care savior for daily use.
Note: This is not a sunscreen lotion/gel.
● Protects the skin from UVA-induced DNA lesions
● Preserves epidermal stem cells
● Shields the skin from photo-aging
● Smoothes the skin and visibly reduces wrinkles
● Improves skin tone homogeneity
● Provides a healthy lucent complexion
● Soothes & cools skin
Key ingredients
Aloe Vera: Keeps the skin hydrated and moisturized.
Vegetable Pear: Natural anti-oxidants to combat sun damage.
How to use
Take a pea-sized amount of gel into the palm and gently massage onto your face and neck in upward strokes.
Caution
FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. Keep protected from light and moisture at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. Keep out of reach of children.
The secret to great skin lies in balance, neither overdoing nor neglecting your routine. Master the basics, and you’ll be on the right track. Avoid the common mistakes mentioned above, and don’t forget to look inward. Your skin often reflects what’s happening inside your body.
FAQs
1) Why is sunscreen important even on cloudy days?
UV rays penetrate clouds and can still cause sun damage, so daily sunscreen application is essential.
2) How often should I reapply sunscreen in the summer?
Every two hours when outdoors, and more frequently if swimming or sweating.
3) Can overwashing my face help reduce summer oiliness?
No, overwashing strips natural oils, causing dryness and increased oil production as compensation.
4) What kind of moisturizer should I use in the summer?
Lightweight, gel-based, or water-based moisturizers keep skin hydrated without feeling greasy.
5) How can over-exfoliating damage my skin?
Too much exfoliation weakens the skin barrier, increasing sun sensitivity, redness, and irritation.
6) Why do lips and eyes need special sun protection?
The skin in these areas is delicate and prone to sun damage, requiring SPF lip balm and UV-protection sunglasses.
7) Is wearing makeup in summer bad for my skin?
Heavy makeup can clog pores and cause breakouts; opt for lightweight, breathable formulas instead.
8) Why should I shower after swimming?
Chlorine and salt water can dry out and irritate skin, so rinsing off helps maintain moisture balance.