Your fabulous forties comes with as much confidence as it does in moisture loss. That means it’s time for an updated skincare routine when July hits and the sun comes glaring. Where winter may have left you with thirsty skin due to low humidity and colder temps, summer can help restore some moisture to the skin but may result in too much oil production—not something you want when trying to enjoy that beach getaway you’ve had planned for months.

Switching up your skincare routine to accommodate these warmer temps and higher humidity levels can help you avoid clogged pores and keep your skin moisturized while avoiding shiny skin or irritated breakouts when you’re over 40. What’s the best summer skincare routine for your skin type? We’ve got the details here!

Normal Skin: Change Your Cleanser

If you have normal skin you may have swapped your lighter cleanser for a heavier one during winter. Here normal skin means – it’s not dry, oily, or sensitive. Summer is the time to switch back to a lighter cleanser since higher humidity levels mean your skin doesn’t need as much extra help with moisture.

For example, if you’ve been using a lotion, milk, oil, or cream cleanser, it’s safe to start using a gel, foam, or bar cleanser again, provided they don’t dry out your skin too much. Always look for a gentle cleanser than it is harsh. You never want to strip your skin’s natural oils, as they help keep your skin barrier healthy. It can help keep out toxins, reduce transepidermal water loss, and even reduce sun damage. 

Clay or powder cleansers may be too drying for normal skin, especially if you have mature skin, but micellar water cleansers can be a good middle ground between an oil cleanser and a more drying agent such as clay or foam.

Oily Skin: Go With a Lighter Moisturizer

A common myth with oily skin types is that they don’t need to moisturize their skin. In fact, people with oily skin still need a good moisturizer, especially if they’re over 40. So, don’t overlook this step in your summer skin care routine.

You can choose a light moisturizer when transitioning into summer skincare. Oily skin types may specifically benefit from lotions rather than creams during the summertime. Creams tend to be much thicker and heavier than lotions, although they can contain richer ingredients.

Look for facial lotions labeled as non-comedogenic, meaning they won’t clog pores. You can still look for ingredients that will help skin retain its moisture but won’t feel too heavy, such as aloe vera, rosehip, jojoba oil, and hyaluronic acid. If you’re over 40, have oily skin, and struggle with breakouts, niacinamide is also an excellent anti-inflammatory ingredient to look for in a lotion. 

Dry Skin: Amp Up Your Serum Game

Like oily skin types, dry skin types can swap their heavier moisturizer for a lighter one in the summer. However, stepping up your serum during this transition can help protect your skin barrier, prevent flaky skin, provide moisture, and a good foundation for a light moisturizer. 

Both oil and water-based serums can be good for dry skin. Look for plumping ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, peptides, glycerin, and ceramides. Since dry, mature skin can also be sensitive and even experience breakouts, sticking to more natural, plant-based ingredients may help reduce any reactions.

Use serum as the third step in your skincare routine after cleansing and toning. Allow your serum to absorb before moving on to your moisturizer. In the summer, a good vitamin C serum can also help protect against sun damage!

Combination Skin: Use a High-Quality Exfoliant

Combination skin types over 40 often deal with the best and worst of oily and dry skin. While oily skin may help reduce wrinkle formation in the T-zone—your forehead, nose, and chin—dry skin on your cheeks or neck can worsen them. 

As a mixture of skin types, switch up your skincare routine for summer by using an exfoliator to help remove dead skin cells, prevent flaky skin, and even out skin tone for a smoother and more luminous complexion.

You have two choices—a chemical or physical exfoliant. In the summer, you may want to do a chemical exfoliant two to three times a week, depending on your unique complexion. You can select a physical exfoliator like a salt, sugar, or coffee scrub. There, you can use it once or twice each week.

All skin types should be using an exfoliant at least weekly, but this step can be extra important when transitioning into a summer skincare routine for combination skin types.

Sensitive Skin: Add a Toner

Those higher temperatures, beach days, and long hours of sunshine can be harsh on sensitive skin. It tends to be more reactive to environmental changes than other skin types. It’s still important to protect your skin barrier during the warmer months to help minimize any breakouts or skin reactions you may have this time of year when you’re over 40.

Adding a high-quality toner to your summer skincare routine can encourage proper absorption of your skincare products, help protect your skin barrier, and choosing a toner with calming and natural ingredients such as chamomile, rosehip, and aloe can soothe the skin as well. 

Use a toner after cleansing while the skin is still damp but before your serum and moisturizer. Allow absorbing before layering your other skincare products.

For All Skin Types: Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen

If you slacked off with your sunscreen in the winter months, it’s time to recommit to using it daily. Midday sun can induce sunburn in 11 minutes, even if you only get a few minutes of sun a day. Not to mention, sunlight is the number one cause of visible changes in the skin when it comes to aging. 

Choose a sunscreen for your skin type. Chemical sunscreens, like oxybenzone, work well for most skin types. However, oily skin types that often break out may do better with physical sunscreen. It has zinc or titanium oxide as the active ingredient instead of chemicals.

Sensitive skin over 40 should also use physical sunscreen because chemical sunscreens might cause skin problems. Dry, combination and mature skin types can choose a sunscreen based on their specific needs.

What’s Your Skin Type?

Find out YOUR skin type by taking our simple free quiz! Knowing your skin type will help you build the best summer skincare routine for your specific complexion.