Skin produces more oil in heat, sweats more, and is exposed to considerably more UV. A routine calibrated for February will feel heavy and insufficient at once.

Lighten the textures

The main change. Whatever you use in winter, move a step lighter:

  • Rich cream → light cream or gel-cream
  • Light cream → fluid or gel
  • Night cream → your day cream, if the night one feels heavy

You do not necessarily need different products, just the lighter end of the range you already have. Textures for the current line-up are in the Faberlic catalogue.

The step that matters more than all the others

Sun protection, applied properly and reapplied.

Everything else in a summer routine is comfort. This is the one with consequences — and most people apply roughly a quarter of the amount that would deliver the stated protection.

Reapply every two hours in strong sun, and after swimming.

What to add

Nothing rich. Summer is not the season for heavy occlusives.

Worth having: a lighter cleanser if your skin is oilier, and blotting papers rather than more powder through the day.

What to pause

Reduce or pause retinoids if you are in strong sun regularly — they increase photosensitivity. If you continue, sunscreen becomes non-negotiable rather than merely important.

Cut back exfoliation. Sun-exposed skin is already stressed.

The common mistakes

Skipping moisturiser because skin feels oily. Heat and air conditioning dehydrate skin, and dehydrated skin produces more oil. A light moisturiser reduces shine over a few weeks.

Over-cleansing to control sweat and oil. Twice a day maximum, gently.

Assuming a moisturiser with SPF is enough. Almost nobody applies moisturiser thickly enough to reach the stated protection. Separate sunscreen.

Forgetting the neck, ears and chest, which burn readily and are where sun damage shows first.

After sun exposure

Gentle cleansing, generous hydration, and no actives for a few days if skin is pink. Do not exfoliate peeling skin — let it go.

Coming out of summer

Move the textures back up in autumn. People usually leave it too late and spend six weeks with tight skin.

For the seasonal opposite, see the winter guide in the reviews section.