There’s little in this world we love more than quality time spent outdoors with friends and family in the summer. From beaching and barbequing to exploring abroad and relaxing at home, we are often tempted to spend every free moment basking in those hot summer rays. It may seem like easy, harmless fun to spend all day outside in the summer, but the reality is that, if you’re not careful, you can actually do lasting damage to your skin—or, at the very least, be unhappy with the lack of “summer glow” it gives you in return.

Don’t ignore your skin’s needs this summer. Read on for the 10 summer skincare essentials you should include in your daily skin routine to ensure you get that summer golden glow you’ve been looking forward to all year long.

1. Stock Up on Sunblock

Applying sunscreen is a good idea year-round, but it quickly becomes a necessity as soon as summer hits. Protect your skin from those harmful UV rays this summer by applying adequate SPF whenever you venture outdoors. Of course, not all sunblocks are created equal. We suggest an SPF 30 for all fun-in-the-sun activities, but it’s important to note if yours is a waterproof sunblock that can handle sweat and wet n’ wild fun. If not, you’ll need more frequent reapplications. Also, sunscreen made specifically for the face will be lighter and do a better job at not clogging your pores than regular slather-me-all-over-your-body sunblock.

2. Reevaluate Your Face Wash

Thanks to the hot and humid weather, your skin has been producing more oil, which means you need a face wash geared toward oily skin (at least for now). Foaming cleansers with salicylic acid are great for oily skin in the summer, but, if yours is drier in summer than you’d like, consider a non-soapy cleanser applied twice a day to get your skin in tip-top summer shape.

3. Keep It Toned

Okay, we know you like to keep things simple in the summertime—but cutting corners on your skin routine is not the way to go. Take the time to apply a toner to your skin after every wash, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how refreshingly clean and oil-free your skin is. Plus, a good toner reduces the appearance of pores, which is a bonus in the summer when it seems like every pore in your body is on hyper-alert.

4. Use Lip Balm with SPF

Keep your lips soft and kissable this summer with a little help from an SPF-treated lip balm. Avoid chapped, cracked lips all summer, regardless of how blistering those temps get. We’d suggest swiping some on in the morning and carrying one with you throughout the day to reapply as needed. And, if you’re looking to enjoy a less-makeup-is-more look this summer, try a tinted lip balm with SPF for a little flair.

5. Take a Cold Shower

Between all of the sweating, pool time and sandy beach days, you’re no doubt taking more showers than you’d care to admit during the summer. Hot showers and baths during the summer can dehydrate your skin. Do yours a favor when temperatures rise and make those showers cool to keep your skin refreshed and revitalized. Cooler showers also help with unclogging pores—which is great for keeping those summer breakouts at a minimum.

6. Exfoliate

Applying a gentle exfoliant once or twice a week does wonders for dry skin, from your face to your elbows or your frequently shaved legs. And, if you suffer from unsightly razor bumps or ingrown hairs around your bikini line, exfoliating before you shave or wax will help keep the area smooth between grooming sessions.    

7. Use Antioxidants In and Out

It’s no secret that antioxidants can do wonders for your skin. Aside from protecting your face from molecules in the environment that damage your skin—like air pollutants and cigarette smoke—they can also brighten your skin and calm irritation. Some can even be attributed to smoothing fine lines (yeah, we said it). Investing in an antioxidant serum or moisturizer is a good idea, especially in the summer when you’re more likely to spend time outside in all sorts of environments.

Hydrating face masks rich in collagen-boosting vitamins E or C are another great way to give your skin some prime antioxidant face time. But topical antioxidant application isn’t enough. Including antioxidant-rich foods like fresh berries, pecans and spinach in your diet can do wonders for your skin from the inside out.

8. Try Aloe Vera Skin Treatments

Sunburns are inevitable during the summer, even when you’re diligently trying to prevent them. Help your skin bounce back from a day in the sun with a soothing aloe vera treatment that cools down irritated skin.

Of course, you don’t have to be suffering from sunburn to benefit from the healing properties of aloe. Maintain your skin’s natural balance with help from a nourishing Aloe Vera Essence Mask rich in vitamins and amino acids. Not only will you appreciate the soothing and calming effect it has on your skin, but you’ll also love how easy it is to get a little mini-facial right at home.

9. Stay Hydrated

We know staying hydrated is easier said than done when you can barely stand outside without working up a sweat. Make things easier on your body this summer by packing a reusable water bottle in your bag or purse wherever you go this summer. Not only will it make it easier to remember to drink water when you’re out and about, but you’ll be doing your part to protect the environment by forgoing the purchase of bottled water whenever you’re out.

10. Bring Face Mist

Stay cool this summer with a little help from a refreshing face mist when things get a little too hot to handle. This little mister in a bottle is perfect for those hot days where you really want to splash some water on your face but not enough where you want to totally redo your makeup. Packed with antioxidants and nutrients intended to soothe and hydrate skin, a good face mist does more than just cool you off (though that’s really important too).

Get The Perfect Summer Glow

Don’t let your skin suffer under those harsh UVs this summer. Stock up on your skincare essentials and spend the summer enjoying that gorgeous glowing skin.

Disclaimer: This article was written by a guest author.