With the arrival of summer, protecting your skin becomes a priority: it’s time to reassess your skincare routine and adapt it to the heat and the new needs of the season. During the warmer months, the skin’s hydrolipidic barrier is put to the test by UV rays, sweat, dehydration, and pollutants. Knowing the right precautions to take in preparing your skin for summer is the first step in defending it against photoaging, dark spots, and annoying irritations.
In this article, we’ll discuss five strategies for taking care of your facial skin in summer — also suitable for those looking for a summer skincare routine for oily skin — with a final focus on the role of natural remedies and CBD-based products.
Why Summer Is a Critical Season for Your Skin
When the UV index rises, the skin, especially the face, faces a combination of extreme conditions: heat, radiation, and water loss. Understanding the mechanisms that put pressure on your skin helps you fine-tune your daily routine, preventing damage before it occurs. Let’s look at the main stressors.
· Heat and Sweating: How They Alter Skin pH
Heat stimulates the sweat glands: sweat lowers the skin’s pH, increases transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and makes the skin more reactive and prone to impurities. A study conducted on 20 women exposed to a hot and humid outdoor environment for 90 minutes showed a steady drop in pH and an increase in sebum production.
· Sun Rays: UV A vs. UV B and the Risk of Photoaging
As a study shows, 95% of the UV rays that reach the Earth’s surface are UVA, which penetrate the dermis, degrade collagen, and accelerate wrinkle formation. UVB rays, though primarily affecting the epidermis, are the main culprits behind sunburn and many DNA mutations. Overexposure to both types fuels a chain reaction of free radicals responsible for premature photoaging.
· Dehydration and Environmental Effects
On top of the heat, factors like wind, saltwater, and air conditioning fluctuations strip moisture from the skin’s outer layer. Frequent water exposure (showers, sea, or pool) also removes the protective lipid film, worsening dryness.
Summer Skincare: Practical Tips and Recommended Products
Putting theory into practice means choosing the right products and applying them consistently: just a few steps in the morning and evening are enough to protect the skin in summer and keep it radiant throughout the season. Here are 5 essential steps for truly effective summer skincare.
1. Choose a Gentle Cleanser and Wash Your Face Morning and Evening
Opt for sulfate-free gels or mousses with a physiological pH: they remove sweat, SPF, and particulate matter without completely stripping away lipids. If your skin tends to become shiny, go for formulas with zinc gluconate or niacinamide, ideal allies for a summer skincare for oily skin.
2. Moisturize the Skin with Light and Refreshing Formulas
Serums based on low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, aloe, or panthenol restore lost moisture without clogging the pores. Spray a product rich in glycerin whenever your skin feels tight: it’s a simple but effective gesture for summer skincare, even at the beach.
3. Always Apply Sunscreen with Adequate SPF
Dermatologists and the guidelines of the American Academy of Dermatology agree: a broad-spectrum filter with SPF ≥ 30 is necessary, to be reapplied every two hours or after swimming. Remember that SPF measures only UVB; the term “broad spectrum” also ensures protection against UVA.
4. After Sun Exposure, Soothe the Skin with Refreshing Treatments
After-sun gels with escin, centella, or allantoin calm erythema and micro-inflammation; keeping them in the fridge enhances their soothing effect. This step does not replace sun protection, but it completes the plan to protect the skin in summer not only from the sun, but also by counteracting post-UV oxidation.
5. Include CBD-Based Products in Your Daily Routine
According to some studies, formulations containing cannabidiol (CBD) make use of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. 4Derma cream by Eusphera—enriched with standardized CBD and soothing extracts—can be applied morning and evening, before or after sunscreen: thanks to its calming action, it provides support in case of redness or mild sunburns, integrating smoothly into the rest of your summer skincare.
CBD and Skin: Why Include It in Your Summer Skincare
In recent years, numerous studies have highlighted the potential of CBD as a biological shield against oxidative stress and skin inflammation: including it in your routine is a simple step that enhances the skin's defenses.
Below, discover all the benefits this active ingredient can offer your skincare and how it can help protect your skin in summer, not just from the sun.
· Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties of CBD: As shown by some studies, CBD neutralizes reactive oxygen species and modulates pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-6, TNF-α), reducing redness and swelling caused by UV irradiation.
· Reduction of Erythema and UV A-Induced Epidermal Hyperplasia: Controlled clinical studies have shown that applying nano-CBD-based creams helped reduce redness by 21% and limit the epidermal thickening typical of photo-inflammation.
· Protection of Cellular and Mitochondrial DNA: A 2024 randomized trial showed that the topical application of CBD helps reduce oxidative damage to nuclear DNA and mitochondrial mutagenesis caused by UV A.
· Effective Antioxidant Against Sun-Induced Free Radicals: The most recent reviews confirm that cannabidiol acts as a scavenger of ROS, inhibiting lipid peroxidation and preserving dermal collagen.
CBD Does Not Replace Traditional Sun Protection
No molecule, no matter how promising, can replace a broad-spectrum UV filter: cannabidiol works in tandem with SPF, enhancing its effectiveness but without directly blocking the rays. Its role is to strengthen the skin’s biological defenses by acting on the cellular processes triggered by sun exposure, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage. For this reason, CBD is a valuable ally to be used in synergy with sun protection, not as an alternative.
The Importance of Consulting a Dermatologist
Every skin tells a different story: a specialist’s opinion helps personalize your summer skincare routine and determine how to protect the skin based on phototype, medical conditions, and lifestyle. The dermatologist can precisely identify the skin’s needs, recommend targeted products, and prevent risks associated with overexposure to the sun, such as erythema, dark spots, or premature aging. Even in the absence of obvious issues, regular check-ups allow you to monitor the skin’s health and intervene promptly in case of warning signs.
