Summer Skincare Prep Tips

Summer has OFFICIALLY rolled in y’all! It’s been heating up for a while, but if you’re like me, you probably waited a bit to get your skin “Summer Ready.” Not to fret, friends, because I’m going to share with you my summer skincare prep tips that will help you get yourself ready for fun in the sun! These steps and practices can easily be done at home on a slow Saturday or Sunday morning, repeating as needed throughout the season to ensure your skin stays in tip-top shape.

Exfoliate
First things first: EXFOLIATE your body! Before you cleanse, moisturize, or even shave, you need to get rid of all of those dead skin cells. Nothing feels better than a great body scrub, and my number 1 tip is to actually use it while your skin is dry vs adding water first. TRUST ME, if you apply your favorite body scrub while your skin is dry and then rinse it off, your skin will feel like buttah!

Herbivore Botanicals Coco Rose Exfoliating Body Scrub, $36

Cleanse
After exfoliating, rinse it all off and then cleanse. Since it’s Summer and you may find yourself showering a bit more because of the heat, I advise finding a cleanser that’s a little more luxe than usual. Make it feel like a spa moment and use cleansers that add in extra hydration, smell delicious, and don’t dry out your skin.

Nécessaire The Body Wash, $25

Moisturize
Since you will be showing more skin than normal since it’s so hot outside, make sure your skin is hydrated and moisturized. Nobody likes seeing ashy hands or feet, people! Lotions should be a staple, obviously, but might I suggest adding in a body oil or a whipped body butter? Using these will take your skin’s hydration to the next level. The secret is to apply the oil straight out of the shower while skin is still wet to lock in the moisture before you dry off. Once you dry off, layer on a rich body butter and let it soak in before you get dressed. Your skin will eat it up and thank you!

Kopari Coconut Shower Oil, $28

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Ultra-Hydrating Body Butter, $36

Protect
After your skin is prepped for the day, be sure to finish with sunscreen. The FDA recommends applying a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher (even on cloudy days) before you head out and reapply as needed (usually every 2 hours). This is the key to keeping your skin healthy and happy, so don’t skimp on this part!

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40, $34

In addition to these steps, I advise getting a professional mani and pedi done ASAP, and if the salon maintenance price is too much for you, buy the tools you need to maintain at home (read this post for tips!) for the rest of the season.