Summer is here before the season starts, and so is that lovely combo of sweat, sunscreen, and the occasional sticky meltdown. If your skincare shelf still looks like it’s dressed for a snowstorm, it’s time for a seasonal shake-up. Because what worked in cozy sweater weather might now be clogging your pores and killing your glow. So, grab a mirror because here’s a list of skincare culprits you seriously need to break up with this summer:
Heavy Creams = Heavy Mistake
That rich, buttery moisturizer that made you feel like a dewy queen in winter is now suffocating your pores like a clingy ex.
Summer skin needs hydration, not heaviness. Swap it with a lightweight gel or water-based moisturizer that feels like a breeze instead of a blanket.
Over-Exfoliating
Everyone wants baby-soft skin. But scrubbing like you’re sanding furniture is not the answer. In the heat, your skin’s already more sensitive, so go easy.
Ditch the gritty exfoliators and switch to gentle chemical exfoliants 1–2 times a week max. Your face is not a loofah.
Oil-Based Everything
Unless you’re going for the glazed doughnut left in the sun look, it’s time to ease up on oil-heavy serums and balms. While oils can be great in moderation, layering too many can turn your T-zone into a slip-n-slide.
Opt for lighter textures and save the heavier oils for your nighttime tender loving care or the next winter.
Fragrance – Heavy Products
Yes, we do want to smell good because we know we are going to sweat – but heavy fragrance plus sweat plus sun causes irritation, sensitivity, and sometimes rashes.
Instead, swap it with fragrance-free or hypoallergenic skincare options.
Layering Like It’s a Skincare Sandwich
Toner, serum, essence, oil, cream, SPF, mist, primer – is a big no! In summer, less is more. Cut down your routine to the essentials – cleanse, treat, hydrate, protect. Your face will thank you – and you’ll have time to go outside and enjoy the sun instead of battling it in your bathroom.
Summer skin is all about balance – keeping your glow without the grease, staying hydrated without drowning your pores, and making sure SPF is your ride-or-die. So shed those winter layers on your skin and keep your skincare light, breezy, and smart.
(Contributed by Wajeeha Syed)