With June officially behind us, summer is quite far from over--for many of us, the heat has only begun!

And while the summer is a period filled with fun, sunshine, and splashes, it can be a challenge to enjoy the festivities when your skin is barraged with extreme heat, humidity, and sun damage.

If summer feels like the worst time for your beauty routine, it’s time to take it back!

Here are 5 tips to keeping your skin looking dewy & hydrated even with the sun beating down.

1. NEVER Skip The Sunscreen

We know that this one has been brought up a lot, but there’s a reason for that: applying sunscreen on a regular basis helps minimize damage to your skin caused by the sun.

And it’s no secret that the sun’s rays while doing so much good for us and our planet, can also inflict significant aging factors to our skin when we don’t protect it.

UV rays penetrate the skin and cause damage to collagen, which is one of the main building blocks in the tissue and provides elasticity. When collagen wanes over time, the skin tends to become saggy and loose.

There are a few potential ways to restore collagen levels in the skin, but when it comes down to it, the most effective method is prevention.

When looking for the right sunscreen, keep the following in mind:

• Keep your skin type in mind! Not all sunscreens are universally formatted, so make sure that the ingredients are for you. Meanwhile, sunscreens containing silica are well-suited for oily skin, and those with dry skin will benefit from formulas made with oils, glycerin, and aloe.
  
  
• Start with an SPF of at least 30, but keep in mind that no formula can go higher than 50.

2. Exfoliate 

If you feel like none of your products are penetrating the skin, you may have some excess dead skin on the surface. 

Luckily, nothing does the trick like a little exfoliation!

And to be clear, we’re not talking about the physical scrubs you might have used in your teens. While physical exfoliants like sugar scrubs may help slough off some dead skin, it’s not the most gentle or effective method to achieve dewy & hydrated skin.

Instead, we’re talking about a chemical exfoliant, normally one or more AHAs and BHAs, which shed off dead skin cells, and instead of scrubbing or scratching them off, these exfoliants gently break down the bonds which keep the cells attached. 

Some of the most popular chemical exfoliants include salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid. 

If you’re new to chemical exfoliators, it’s recommended to limit its usage to 1-2 times a week, and because AHAs and BHAs tend to make the skin a little photosensitive, it’s especially important to wear sunscreen--never forget rule #1to have a dewy & hydrated skin!

3. Lowering The Shower Temperature

Hear us out--we’re not asking you to give up your hot showers and baths!

Did civilizations like the Aztecs and Romans practice bathing in different water temperatures for specific effects? This tradition continues in modern societies such as Japan, Russia, China, Turkey, and Iceland.

And as it turns out, water temperatures do affect our bodies and make our skin dewy & hydrated.

Hot water (98-104 degrees F) opens capillaries, increasing blood flow and aiding digestion and circulation.

Frequent hot showers can dry the skin and may contribute to flare-ups, according to clinical studies.

Meanwhile, cool water (66-80 degrees F) closes the capillaries to decrease blood flow, which can help ease inflammation.

Experiment with lowering the shower temperature to a more tepid or cooling level during hot temperatures. Pay attention to how it makes your skin feel during and after.

4. Moisturize

Staying hydrated is essential for your skin's health.

Moisturizing is one of the most important steps in a skin care regimen, and during the summer when hot weather dries out every surface (including your skin), it’s absolutely essential--especially at night when your skin is working to repair itself.

Also focus on the type of moisturizer you’re using, as well; as a general rule, lightweight, water or glycerin-based moisturizers are the most ideal, as they’re less likely to clog the pores the way oil-based moisturizers can. Hyaluronic acid is also a fantastic hydrating ingredient, as it helps deeply penetrate the skin to deliver moisture.

Aside from using a good moisturizer, staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water is crucial for maintaining skin hydration.

5. Stick With Lightweight Makeup Formulas

You can apply the same concept of using lighter formulas to other parts of your beauty routine, such as your foundation step.

Does your high-coverage foundation struggle in the summer? Does it clog pores or melt off in the heat and humidity?

Switching to a lightweight or hydrating foundation in hot weather improves skin circulation compared to thicker, mattifying formulas.

When choosing a lightweight foundation, look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, bamboo extracts, and aloe vera for hydration.

What are some of your favorite summer skin-saving tricks? Sound off in the comments below!