We know you've heard it before: the summer season can take a toll on your skin. In all its glory, summer comes with some serious pitfalls. Sun exposure, salt water, chlorine, and high temperatures can all impact your skin's health. Excess sweat and sunscreen can also lead to buildup and clogged pores, causing issues like dehydration, breakouts, and uneven texture.
The good news? You can easily combat summer congestion with a skincare routine designed to keep your skin clear and glowing. Start by incorporating a chemical exfoliant to prevent buildup and clogged pores. Read on to discover our favorite exfoliants for summer and the hero hydrators we use to keep our skin glowing post-treatment.
Exfoliating Treatments to Clear Skin Congestion
To keep it simple, chemical exfoliants help to dissolve and remove dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. By dissolving dead skin cells and debris, chemical exfoliants can prevent clogged pores, not only reducing the likelihood of breakouts, but improving the appearance and feel of uneven texture. What’s more, chemical exfoliants encourage skin cell turnover, which can help soften the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots over time.
When choosing a formula, consider how much time you spend outdoors or in direct sunlight, the number of steps you prefer in your skincare routine, and any past sensitivity.
Summer Skincare Routine for Fighting Congestion
Step 1: Select The Right Exfoliator
In recent years, chemical exfoliants have gained popularity over physical exfoliants due to concerns about sensitivity from aggressive scrubbing. However, the right physical exfoliant can effectively remove dead skin cells without disrupting or irritating your skin.
We consider Micro-Crystalline a next-generation physical exfoliant because it combines the benefits of both! This dual-action approach removes surface debris and pore-clogging buildup, allowing the chemical exfoliants to penetrate deeper and work more effectively.
Formulated with super-fine micro-crystalline cellulose, glycolic acid, lactic acid, and fermented bio-sourced bisabolol, Micro-Crystalline provides safe and gentle exfoliation to resurface and brighten your skin.
For immediate softening or extra exfoliation, the Micro-Crystalline Exfoliating Face Mask is our go-to choice. For those who prefer a one-step approach to exfoliation, we recommend using Micro-Crystalline once a week in place of a nightly exfoliating toner. To use, gently massage a quarter-sized amount onto dry or damp skin, wait for 1-3 minutes, and rinse thoroughly.
We also love the Acid Phase AHA Exfoliant for its sophisticated blend of AHAs. Formulated with formaldehyde-free, high-purity glycolic acid along with malic, tartaric, vegan lactic and pyruvic acids, this multi-aha provides an instant glow. While Acid Phase can be used daily, we recommend using this liquid exfoliant once or twice per week in the evenings to avoid over exfoliating. After cleansing, shake well, dispense a few shakes into your hands or on a cotton round, and press into skin.
Step 2: Treat With an All-In-One Serum
Vitamin C is essential in our skincare lineup, and for good reason. It shields the skin from environmental irritants, enhances the effectiveness of SPF, and brightens and strengthens.
Exfoliants like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are some of the safest and gentlest ways to break down dead skin cells and prevent congestion. When formulated for everyday use, as is the case with many exfoliating serums, AHAs can help even skin tone, fade discoloration and dark spots, and soften fine lines and wrinkles without sensitizing your skin.
If there’s one serum Vitamin C serum we rely on for a bright, sparkling complexion, it’s Lactonic, our all-in-one treatment designed to revitalize skin's clarity and smoothness. Formulated with a powerful combination of lactic acid and vitamin C, Lactonic exfoliates, plumps, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Gentle enough for everyday use yet powerful enough to resurface, Lactonic delivers plump, glowy skin in a single pump, which is why we recommend it daily. Each morning, we go in with 1-2 pumps and gently massage onto the face, neck, and chest. You won’t be disappointed.
Step 3: Lock In Moisture with a Hydrating Serum & Moisturizer
Aside from helping you achieve softer, smoother skin, exfoliation prepares your skin to absorb moisture more effectively. It also allows nourishing ingredients and active compounds to penetrate deeper and work more efficiently. After sloughing away dead skin cells, it’s essential to rehydrate and protect your skin from dehydration and UVA/UVB rays.
Restore and safeguard your skin with a hydrating serum. For instant plump and bounce, we like Subverse Plumping Peptide Serum, which features Matrixyl™ Synthe'6™, a potent peptide that restores hydration homeostasis and improves firmness and elasticity.
As a last step, we recommend locking in hydration with a moisturizer. Our Hydrascape Moisturizing Reverse Emulsion is our go-to for a glowy finish, and we love this because it doubles as a great makeup primer.
Remember, always follow with SPF as the final step in your routine. ;)
