Has Your Skin Had a Slightly Chaotic Summer? HERE’s WHAT TO DO IF YOUR FACE IS FEELING FRIED
Sun, heat, travelling, late nights and probably a few too many days where SPF wasn't reapplied quite as often as it should have been… if your skin is looking a little different now summer is over, here's what I'd actually do.
I genuinely don't know where the summer has gone.
One minute we were gearing up for the school holidays, making plans, having BBQs… then the next my youngest baby is heading off to secondary school. SECONDARY SCHOOL. How has that happened?! I swear I only blinked.
It's always around this time of year that I start feeling like I need to get myself (and everyone else) vaguely back into some sort of routine. Early nights, slightly more organised healthy dinners, attempting to remember where I put things...
And actually, I think our skin can benefit from a little reset too. Because summer can be quite a LOT for it.
Sun, heat, sweating, travelling, late nights, swimming, air conditioning, slathering on the SPF constantly (hopefully!) and generally being out and about and more exposed than usual.
Sometimes you don't really notice the effect until autumn rolls around and suddenly you're looking in the mirror thinking:
“Why does my skin look so… tired?”
You might notice that it's drier than usual, more congested, a little dull, or that pigmentation and uneven tone seem more obvious than they did a few months ago.
And the temptation is to immediately start doing something about it.
A new serum. A new exfoliant. A new mask. A random new nightly routine that has you slapping yourself repeatedly in the face every night.
Please don't.
Your skin probably doesn't need a complete overhaul
One of the things I see quite often is people reacting to a change in their skin by throwing lots of new things at it.
And I completely understand why. If something isn't looking how you want it to, you want to fix it.
But your skin is an organ, not a project that needs constant upgrading.
And, genuinely, sometimes the best thing you can do is stop messing with it quite so much.
If you've spent the summer using stronger products, exfoliating more, wearing heavy moisturisers and sunscreens more often or trying to keep on top of breakouts, your skin barrier may simply be feeling a little overworked.
So before you introduce lots of new active ingredients, I'd go back to the basics for a while.
Keep your cleansing routine simple
Your face doesn't need to feel tight and squeaky clean after washing it.
A gentle cleanser that's appropriate for your skin is usually plenty. If your skin is feeling particularly dry, irritated or sensitive, this definitely isn't the time to start scrubbing away at it.
Go gently, lay off the loofah, and pat dry with a nice clean, soft cloth or air dry. Bliss for your face!
SOAK your skin: ADD some hydration
Again, not particularly exciting advice, but important.
When your skin is dehydrated, it can feel tight and look dull, and fine lines can sometimes appear more noticeable. Feeling mottled or just like you’ve got more… texture? Yeah, girl – your skin is probably crying out for a DRINK. So…
Here’s How to Choose the Best Moisturiser for you
First, match texture to your skin type:
Oily skin: Choose lightweight, water-based gels or fluid lotions. They hydrate without clogging pores.
Dry skin: Pick rich creams, balms, or ointments. They trap moisture and stop water loss.
Combination skin: Use a balanced, medium-weight lotion. It works well on both dry and oily zones.
Then, look for essential ingredients:
Humectants: Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin pull water deep into your skin.
Barrier repair: Look for ceramides and fatty acids to lock hydration in place.
Fragrance-free labels: Pick sensitive-friendly brands like CeraVe, Cetaphil and La Roche-Posay to help prevent skin irritation.
And yes, oily or blemish-prone skin still needs moisturiser.
If you’re spotty, I know how tempting it is to slap on loads of products, but sadly the answer isn’t always to dry your skin out further.
please don't abandon yoUr SPF
I know I say this a lot. But SPF isn't a summer-only product.
UV exposure is one of the biggest contributors to premature skin ageing and can worsen pigmentation, so protecting your skin consistently is one of the most useful things you can do for it.
EVEN when the weather starts feeling less like summer, and more like monsoon season.
What if you've noticed more pigmentation?
This is something I often see people becoming more aware of after a long, hot, sunny summer.
You might notice that freckles have become more obvious, existing pigmentation has darkened, or areas of uneven tone have suddenly caught your attention.
The important thing is not to panic and start throwing every brightening product you can find at your face.
Pigmentation can have different causes and different types can respond differently to treatment.
This is one of those situations where I'd much rather look at your skin properly and work out what's actually going on before recommending anything.
And if you've had a lot of sun exposure, it's worth remembering that your skin may also need a little time before it's ready for certain aesthetic treatments.
Sometimes waiting is part of the treatment plan.
So, should you book a treatment?
Maybe.
If you're concerned about pigmentation, texture, fine lines, acne scarring, laxity or the general quality of your skin, there are lots of treatments that might help.
Microneedling, for example, can be used to improve skin texture and stimulate collagen production. Other treatments may be more appropriate depending on what we're actually trying to address.
This is why consultations are important. I'd rather understand what you're concerned about first and then work out what’s going to help.
What I'd actually do this September
Speak to a professional, i.e. me! Haha.
Seriously though, if I had any post-summer skin concerns… I’d start by simplifying my skincare routine, and then book a consultation to get an expert opinion on whatever it was that was bothering me.
Focus on the basics:
Cleanse. Hydrate. Repair. Protect.
Keep your skin clean, well moisturised and supported, and make SPF a non-negotiable. After a summer of sun, heat and late nights, your skin probably doesn't need a cupboard full of new products. It might just need a little time and some TLC.
Then book your consultation:
We can have a proper look at your skin, talk through what you'd like to improve and I can advise you on the best way to get it back on track. There’s no one-size-fits-all September reset. Sometimes the best thing for your skin is a treatment, sometimes it's a really good skincare routine, and sometimes it's a bit of both.
The aim is healthy, happy skin first. Everything else comes after.
If you'd like some advice on what your skin needs after summer, drop me a message and we'll go from there.
Bianca x