Summer in Florida brings lots of heat, humidity, and increased sun exposure. When it comes to your skin, those longer days and time spent outdoors can start to do a number on your skin. From accelerating premature aging, to skin irritation, to hyperpigmentation and dryness, your skin is likely to need some extra TLC during the summer months. Establishing and sticking to a solid morning and nighttime skin care routine can be key to maintaining healthy skin all season long. Simple essentials like cleansing, hydrating, and protecting work together to keep your skin more resilient and help encourage repair. Let’s take a look at why these routines matter and how implementing them can transform your skin this summer.
Fundamentals – Morning Skin Care
Your skin begins each morning recovering from the day before and preparing to face new environmental factors for the day ahead. Starting each day with a clean slate is a great way to help give it a boost.
- Start by cleansing. Begin with a gentle cleanser to wash away oil, leftover dirt from the day before, and any sweat from your night. Avoid exfoliants or harsh scrubs in the morning. Your skin needs something calm in the mornings, especially if you used retinoids the night before.
- Apply antioxidants. A vitamin C serum or antioxidant formula helps protect against UV damage and pollution. These ingredients neutralize free radicals that contribute to premature aging.
- Moisturize appropriately. Choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer. Even in humidity, your skin needs hydration to maintain a healthy barrier.
- Don’t skip sunscreen. Use sunscreen suited for your face with an SPF 30 or higher, every day with no exceptions. Apply it after your moisturizer and before any makeup. Be sure to reapply every two hours if you’re spending time outdoors.
Repair & Recover at Night
While you sleep, your skin goes into regenerative mode. This means your skin increases blood flow, stimulates collagen production, and accelerates cell turnover. This is when damage from environmental stressors like sun exposure and pollution is naturally repaired. Your skin also loses more moisture overnight, making hydration especially important before bed.
As we age, our skin often needs added support in this area. Providing the right ingredients at bedtime can maximize repair and renewal, leading to healthier skin.
- Double cleanse. Use an oil-based cleanser first to break down makeup, sunscreen, and excess oils. Follow with a water-based cleanser to fully remove impurities without stripping moisture.
- Use targeted treatments. Depending on your skin’s needs, this could mean applying a retinoid for fine lines, glycolic acid for texture, or serums for redness. Our dermatologists can help you choose the right one if you need help determining which is best for you.
- Hydrate. Nighttime moisturizers are typically richer to counteract moisture loss. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and peptides.
- Don’t forget your eyes. The skin around your eyes is delicate and often the first to show signs of aging. Use a nourishing eye cream with gentle peptides or low-dose retinol.
The Science Behind the Routine
Staying consistent with your skin care routine allows your skin to stay balanced, resilient, and better equipped to respond to both internal and external stressors.
Here’s an in-depth look at what happens when you take proper care of your skin:
- Enhanced cell turnover: At night, your skin’s natural repair processes are at their peak. Using products like retinoids or alpha hydroxy acids can amplify exfoliation and stimulate collagen production, which over time improves skin texture, reduces fine lines, and evens out tone. This process also clears out dull, dead skin cells, allowing for a smoother appearance.
- Environmental defense: Antioxidants like vitamins C and E, combined with broad-spectrum SPF during the day, help neutralize free radicals caused by sun exposure, pollution, and other external invaders. This daily protection reduces your risk of developing sun-induced pigmentation, premature aging, and even certain types of skin cancer.
- Improved hydration: Heat and sun exposure can disrupt your skin’s natural moisture barrier, leading to increased water loss within your skin. Hydrating products, especially those containing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides help restore lost moisture and fortify the barrier, preventing dryness, irritation, and inflammation.
- Products for the win: Clean, well-prepared skin allows active ingredients to penetrate more effectively. Consistently cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing ensures your serums and treatments can do their job, whether it’s reducing acne, softening wrinkles, or calming redness.
Smart Summer Adjustments
As experts in dermatology, we frequently treat patients during the summer who are experiencing breakouts, irritation, or sun damage because their routines weren’t adapted to the seasonal shift. Here are our top tips to keep your skin happy and healthy during the hottest months in Florida:
- Wear lighter moisturizer: Heavier creams can clog pores and trap sweat during warm, humid weather. Switching to gel-based or oil-free moisturizers provides essential hydration without the weight, especially for oily or acne-prone skin types.
- Frequent SPF application: Sunscreen is your skin’s best summer defense, but only if it’s used correctly. Apply SPF 30 or higher every morning, and reapply every two hours, especially when outdoors, or after swimming or sweating. Mineral-based formulas are a great option for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
- Weekly exfoliation: Dead skin, sunscreen, sweat, and pollution can build up quickly in the summer. Incorporating a gentle chemical exfoliant like glycolic or lactic acid once or twice a week helps keep pores clear. Just be sure to follow with SPF, as exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
- Hydration: Hot weather increases your body’s need for hydration. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and incorporate hydrating skincare products like hyaluronic acid serums and sheet masks to keep your skin plump and comfortable. Adding a humidifier to your bedroom can also support overnight moisture retention.
Why Your Skin Will be Better
Building a routine is about more than beauty, it’s about skin health. As your skin’s largest organ, it deserves consistent care. With just a few minutes in the morning and at night, you can:
- Prevent signs of premature aging
- Improve texture and tone
- Reduce breakouts
- Strengthen your skin barrier
- Feel more confident in your skin
Summer is the perfect time to begin a new skin care regimen or change the one you currently have. And if you’re not sure where to start, our team is here to help.
Ready to build your custom skincare routine?
Schedule a consultation with our board-certified dermatologists and let’s create a plan that makes your skin feel its best this summer and beyond.
To schedule an appointment or for more information, visit www.fldscc.com, or call (855) FLD-SKIN.
About Us
FLDSCC’s team of providers are experts in diagnosing and treating skin cancers; skin conditions and diseases such as eczema, rosacea, dry skin, rashes, and warts; and chronic skin diseases and infections, while simultaneously tackling aging skin, wound care, and a multitude of other skin, hair, and nail concerns.
Several FLDSCC providers are fellowship-trained in Mohs micrographic surgery, an effective state-of-the-art treatment for most types of skin cancers. Mohs surgery involves minimal discomfort and encourages the greatest preservation of healthy tissue, which means less risk of scarring and superior cosmetic results.
FLDSCC has many convenient locations throughout the state. For more information, visit www.fldscc.com, or call (855) FLD-SKIN.
