My Summer Skincare Routine

I am often asked about my skincare routine, and take it as a compliment. I tried Botox once back in 2018 but since then I haven't done a single procedure or even a professional facial. I enjoy the sun more than I should but am consistent with SPF year-round. I really think what I eat has a big impact on my skin, but I also have found some products over the years that really work well with my skin. Below I share my summer skincare routine.

This post may look familiar; I republished it to update with the most current information and products available.

About My Skin

For reference, I am 50 years old and a sun lover. I was a lifeguard for many years in my teens and early 20's and on swim teams, and once I had established a “base tan” I skipped SPF for baby oil. I spent more time in college in tanning beds than lecture halls, and my husband will tell the tales of the terrible sunburns I got on vacations to Jamaica, Costa Rica, and St. Augustine when we were younger. However, since becoming a “grown-ass adult” I have learned SPF is a necessity. I may still love lying in the sun, but I try to be smarter about it.

Most of my life, I had the classic T-zone combination skin. I felt I was constantly battling oil and would experience hormonal breakouts around my nose and mouth and on my chin. In winter, I had extremely dry and sensitive skin that would crack and flake, especially around my nose and on my chin. Check this post for tips on dealing with dry winter skin if you struggle with this, too.

After I had my daughter, I got into skincare, especially nighttime skincare. I lacked much control over my life, my body, or my sleep routine—but was able to carve out about a half hour each night while she was asleep to care for my face. I found the ritual of caring for my skin helped me relax and literally wash away the day. It gave me an opportunity to try out new products, but it also taught me that consistency is more important than what product you use. I haven't gone to bed without washing my face once in the past decade; it's like brushing my teeth, I can't sleep well without doing it.

This ritual gave me time to try products, tweak methods, and give my skin a chance to rest between different routines and ingredients. And through it I found I didn't in fact have combination skin. It was the products I was using that caused my skin to get so oily at times, dry at others, and have the breakouts. My summer skincare routine contains some products I've used for years, and newer products I've tried long enough to feel confident recommending to you. This routine has finally allowed me to keep my skin balanced and healthy.

My Summer Skincare Routine

Summer is the season you want to spend as much time out of the house so you can enjoy the weather. Therefore, my summer skincare routine is a bit simpler than my winter skincare routine. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to pick up a few new products to add your collection, I hope these summer skincare tips are able to help.

My Evening Skincare Routine

Step 1: Cleanse with an Oil-Based Product

I am OBSESSED with Colleen Rothschild Radiant Cleansing Balm. I first tried this solid oil cleanser in 2016 and was an instant fan. I've tried several other cleansers since it, but none compare. Nope, not even that other yellow solid oil cleanser in a tub that keeps getting recommended by influencers. That one makes my eyes burn and doesn't remove makeup quite as well. And that liquid oil one with a pump is good, but still not as gentle and effective as Colleen Rothschild's Cleansing Balm.

This cleanser is what made me start to realize I didn't have combination skin. With a solid oil cleanser, you apply a small amount to your dry face. Gently massaging it into the skin with dry fingers, you will see how it lifts and dissolves your makeup. From waterproof mascara to longwear foundation, this cleansing balm will break it all up with little effort. I then wipe it away with a wet washcloth.

A lot of cleansers can feel harsh, stripping away your natural oils with it. It took me switching through products and finding the right one to realize that your skin shouldn't feel taut after you cleanse it. The Radiant Cleansing Balm does a good job of clearing out clogged pores and restoring skin's equilibrium without that tight and dry feeling.

I rarely need to double cleanse. I only do it when I have worn a lot of makeup for a special shoot or event. Then, after using the Cleansing Balm, I will wash my face with CeraVe. I also keep CeraVe in the shower if I shower at a time when I have on makeup, sunscreen, and/or bug spray. On the regular I find it drying, but for such situations, it works (and also my husband and daughter like it).

Colleen Rothschild Skincare Promo Code

FYI, Colleen Rothschild is always pretty good about keeping up with sales and promotions. As I'm updating this, they're having a few different current sales. Make sure to check them out!

I consider myself a Colleen Rothschild mega-fan, check my archives for plenty of reviews and products I love.

Step 2: Lash Serum

We all have different things that we like to highlight or find appealing on ourselves. For me, it's lashes. When I was younger, I loved the look of liquid liner and a lot of volumizing mascara for a very dramatic look. As I have gotten older, I like to just have defined lashes and fresh skin. But, of course, this is when my lashes are getting shorter and sparser.

Over the years, I have tried several different lash serums. My first one was from Rodan + Fields that was super effective, but also super expensive (and from an MLM). But it made me realize it is possible to grow my lashes without a prescription or a lot of effort. I tried some that made my eyes burn, some that made my lids dry and irritated, and even one that loosened my lash roots causing all my lashes to fall out in my lash curler one terrible day.

For the past year, I have been using GrandeLash with excellent results and no negative side effects. I find the price extremely reasonable for how long a tube lasts, and once I get the length I desire, I can taper off to every 2-3 days and maintain with less product. I apply after cleansing skin and before brushing teeth so it has time to soak in before I apply any other products to my face.

Step 3: Treat with an Acid or Retinol

I think Step 3 is where I change things up the most in my skincare routine. I have a few different products, ones that are consistently effective, ones I ordered after a really convincing review, and ones brands send to me to try. I sometimes stick for weeks with just one product, but I find my skin likes a bit of variety in this category.

I am comfortable at this point in life in having wrinkles and fine lines, all of those signs of aging people talk about not loving. But, I am all about having my skin look as clear, even, and happy as possible as we continue this life journey together. These treatments are often advertised as anti-aging because they can increase collagen production and reduce the appearance of fine lines but they also can help with cell turnover, even skintone, the appearance of smaller pores, and a natural glow.

First up, Acids:

One of my absolute favorite acids is Pixi Glow Tonic; I have used it for several years. A wallet-friendly price and easy to find at stores like Target and Ulta, this is a glycolic acid that doesn't require a special process to apply or wait before using other products.

Pixi sends me a big pump bottle once a year and I buy refills from Target. Two pumps on a reusable cotton round is enough for my face, neck, upper chest, and a bit on the tops of my hands. In the winter, I often use this before my daytime moisturizer. Since acids can make you sun sensitive, I only use it at night in the summer.

I can't say that this product will work for your specific skin, but it could be worth a shot. Their product details state that it works for sensitive, oily, combination, normal, acne-prone, mature, and dry skin. So if you're on the hunt for a good acid regardless of your skin type, this one might be a safe bet for you.

Next Up, Retinol:

For retinol, I have tried many different brands but one I always keep in my medicine cabinet is Colleen Rothschild Retinol Oil because it's gentle, effective, and moisturizing. I also appreciate how it has Vitamin C to counteract free radicals that our skin naturally picks up throughout the day. I regularly recommend this for those new to retinol because it too is very easy to use. If you have oily skin, this may be the only thing you need to apply after cleansing.

Something to remember when using retinol: be mindful of sun exposure and apply sunscreen religiously. Because this product is designed to speed up cell turnover and recovery, your skin will be much more sensitive to sunlight.

Finally, Lactic Acid and Tretinoin:

The company Comfort Zone sent me some products and I've been trying their Sublime Skin Micropeel lotion which is a mix of lactic acid and gluconolactone. I really like it. When I wake my skin looks amazing—glowy and firm and fresh. I've had a lot of luck with lactic acid over the years, whether it's budget-friendly The Ordinary or Sunday Riley's Good Genes.

I've also used tretinoin through Curology, which offers dermatologist-prescribed skincare and found it effective, but made me very sun sensitive. I decided I'd rather be wrinkled than not able to go out in the sun and stopped it. However, if you are looking for something super effective for fine wrinkles, dark spots, and uneven skin, tretinoin is the most effective and I found Curology the easiest and most budget-friendly way to access it.

Step 4: Moisturize

In the winter, this step is actually a multi-step process with oils and whatever. But in the summer, I find my skin is perfectly happy slathered in Colleen Rothschild's Extreme Recovery Cream. This is another product I have used for YEARS and haven't found anything that compares.

This lightweight moisturizer is hydrating, but not heavy, not greasy, and has never caused breakouts. No obvious scent, I think the only negative is there isn't a version with SPF to wear in winter and spring during the daytime. In winter I wear with another product over it (AKA slugging), but in summer it's the perfect level of hydration over a treatment to keep my skin happy and healthy.

Key ingredients include things like hyaluronic acid for skin plumping, Wu-Bai complex for brightening, and Aesthinet for intense hydration.

My Morning Skincare Routine

My morning skincare routine is far simpler. Even for my summer skincare routine, I just don't have the drive to spend a lot of time on my face in the morning. A lot of days I go without makeup, or maybe just a bit of brows, lashes, and lips because a lot of products feels very product-y in the heat. And I feel the same about skincare.

Step 1: Refresh

I don't wash my face in the morning, no matter the season. However, especially in the summer, my skin may be sweaty or feel a bit lotion-y and I want to refresh the skin before proceeding.

Some days, I just use a reusable cotton wipe and cold water to remove the sleep from my eyes and sweat from my skin. Other days, I use Thayer's Rose Witch Hazel or Colleen Rothschild Micro-Mineral Soothing Toner. It really depends on how I feel, how much makeup I will be wearing that day, and makes me feel like it can get my skin clean. I find if I use a toner, my makeup holds up better throughout the day. It's also great for removing those dead skin cells from a good nights sleep.

Step 2: Moisturize with SPF

In the summer, I don't do treatments or serums or eye creams. Just a hydrating moisturizer with SPF. So far this summer my favorite is Black Girl Sunscreen's SPF 30. It's moisturizing enough without being greasy, doesn't leave a white cast, isn't super fragrant, and plays nice with makeup. If you have oilier skin than I, you may like the brand's Make It Matte which is SPF 45 and has a drier finish.

Both products are great if you find that you have to reapply sunscreen throughout the day. You won't feel like you have endless layers of product on your face.

Step 3: Prep for Makeup (If Applicable)

If I am going to wear makeup, over my SPF I apply Mario Badescu's Moisture Magnet. A lot of folks use this in place of a moisturizer, especially if they have oily skin, but I don't feel it's hydrating enough for me and also I only use a little bit. This sort of works like a primer and also keeps oil and even sweat reduced so makeup stays longer. As I mentioned in my summertime essentials post, my skin often breaks out with setting sprays and longwear cosmetics but I have had no issues with this product.

Step 4: Makeup (If Applicable)

I don't wear makeup as often in the summer as I do the other seasons, but when I do it's usually these products:

• Brows: NYX Lift and Snatch in Ash Brown, which draws “hairs” without me having any makeup skills and just fills in any patches.
• Lashes: I curl my lashes and then use a tubing mascara. Currently I'm really liking this mascara from Caliray. If I am going somewhere, I may tightline my top lash line with Flyte.70's liner in Blue Monday; it makes my lashes look more lush and I find this eyeliner doesn't migrate like others do.
• Face: I am lowkey obsessed with this tinted moisturizer from Saie. It feels amazing, has SPF, and offers that bit of evenness and polish while still letting my freckles show through. If I need powder, I use this from Saie and apply with a BeautyBlender. If I want a flush, I use “Heartbreaker” cream blush from Flyte.70. If I am going out at night, I use Flyte.70's GlowBack.Lucent Light in “Just Like Heaven” on my cheekbones, brow bones, down the nose and at my cupid's bow and blend with fingers.
• Lips: Most days it's just this lipbalm from Patchology, but if I'm heading out I'll do a bright lip. My favorites are Glossier “Coupe” (a reddish-orange), Flyte.70's “Relax” (a cherry red), and Laura Mercier's Clique (a Fuschia). Sometimes instead of blush, I tap the lip product on my cheeks and blend with my fingers.

Step 5: Maintain Sun Protection Throughout the Day

Sunscreen needs to be reapplied through the day, whether or not you sweat or went into the water. I keep a bottle of COOLA's Water Mist in my purse, which works well over makeup, though it only is SPF 18. But I have found it the best for not ruining my makeup and keeping me at least a bit protected.

If I am outside and need to reapply, I usually carry a sunscreen stick with me. My absolute favorite is Shisheido, it is invisible and doesn't ruin makeup but it is expensive and almost always out of stock. Cetaphil's works pretty well (though isn't invisible) and I am able to always find it in stock at Target and Amazon.

Other Skincare Products I Use in the Summer

I always keep a tube of Colleen Rothschild Micro-Mineral Resurfacing Scrub in the shower for those days when there was a lot of makeup or sunscreen or sweat or bug spray or dirt or a combination of all five. I probably use this once a week. It's a physical exfoliant, but it's a very gentle scrub and works best when you use a small amount with a light hand.

After a day in the sun, I will shower and on my face I will apply an oil to sort of soothe and hydrate it. Right now I am using Biossance Squalene and Vitamin C Rose Oil, which helps brighten and also hydrates without being greasy or feeling gross on warm skin on a warm day.

I am a bit of a lip balm collector, and have several I apply during the day and before bed. At night I like this one from Lawless Beauty. For daytime with SPF, I like LipScreen from Supergoop.

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Now I'd love to hear from you! What is your summer skincare routine? Do you have any essentials you love so much you wish to shout from the rooftops (or share in the comments)? Your favorite may be just what another reader is looking for (I know many of my favorites are thanks to your suggestions!).