LLM Exclusive / Top Things To Look Out For When Choosing Your Summer Moisturiser: A Luxury Skincare Guide

With summer finally here, now is the perfect time to give your skincare routine an overhaul and make sure you’re giving your complexion what it needs to navigate the new season.

While spring weather conditions are mild, the long, sun-drenched days ahead will bring increased humidity, and combined with environmental stressors like UV radiation – as well as saltwater and chlorine if you have plans to head to the beach or jet off on holiday – can quickly begin to wreak havoc on skin.

But, with a well-thought-out daily regime in place, and the type of moisturiser you use is arguably one of the most important changes you can make to keep your skin hydrated, soft, supple and radiant.

Here, we take a look at the key things to look out for when choosing your summer moisturiser.

During the summertime, those rich and heavy face creams you rely on during the winter months are no longer what your skin needs

Lightweight yet effective hydration

During the summertime, those rich and heavy face creams you rely on during the winter months are no longer what your skin needs. Instead of suffocating it, let it breathe by switching to a light-weight formula, as these are fast-absorbing whilst still providing deep hydration.

Gel-cream and water-based emulsion formulas are your best bet, and are best used with silky serums, as their smaller molecule size means they are able to penetrate deeper into the skin’s layers without leaving a residue.

In your moisturiser, look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic and glycerin, which draw moisture into the skin without weighing it down.

Non-comedogenic formulas to keep breakouts at bay

In a similar vein, your summer moisturiser should also be non-comedogenic – in other words, it won’t clog pores. Oiliness and breakouts are common during the summer months thanks to the increased humidity levels, but the good news is that they can be kept at bay by choosing a breathable formula.

Botanical extracts are also great ingredients to look out for at this time of year as they can have a calming and soothing effect on the skin – chamomile and green tea are great choices, while witch hazel offers astringent properties that will help to prevent those breakouts and soothe any that do arise.

The richer in antioxidants, the better

As we’ve touched upon, environmental stressors can quickly begin to take a toll during the summer months, and in turn, can accelerate the signs of ageing.

Choosing a daily moisturiser that is rich in antioxidants will help the skin fight damaging free radicals and defend against oxidative stress. Look for ingredients like Vitamin C and niacinamide for their ability to support this and the additional brightening properties they offer.

Choosing a daily moisturiser that is rich in antioxidants will help the skin fight damaging free radicals and defend against oxidative stress

SPF: A summer non-negotiable

Most importantly of all, make sure you’re choosing a moisturiser that contains SPF to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. SPF should be a daily non-negotiable during the summer months, and the higher, the better – factor 50 is your best bet, but be sure to reapply regularly if you’ll be spending extended periods of time out in the sun.

The bottom line

With so many different luxury face moisturisers on the market, it can be difficult to know which to pick, but look for one with each of these properties and you’ll be onto a winner. Investing in a high-quality product is key and will ensure the best possible results – plus, your skin will thank you for it later