Summer Skin Care: Sun Protection, After-Sun and Breakouts

Longer days, warm evenings and weekends at the coast, the lake or the local pool: summer is when many of us spend the most time outdoors. It's also when your skin needs the most care. Here in Australia, UV levels are often high through the warmer months, and heat, sweat and air-conditioning can all affect how your skin looks and feels.

You don't need a bathroom full of products to look after your skin this summer. A few consistent habits, built around good sun protection, can go a long way.

Make sun protection a daily habit

Cancer Council recommends sun protection whenever the UV index is 3 or above. You can't see or feel UV, and it isn't the same as heat, so a mild or cloudy day can still have high UV. Check the daily UV for your location on Cancer Council's free SunSmart app or the Bureau of Meteorology website.

For the best protection, Cancer Council recommends using all five SunSmart steps together:

• Slip on clothing that covers as much skin as possible, such as a collared shirt with long sleeves.
• Slop on SPF50 or SPF50+, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen.
• Slap on a broad-brimmed, legionnaire or bucket-style hat that shades your face, nose, neck and ears. Caps and visors don't provide enough protection.
• Seek shade. Shade reduces UV, but UV can still reach you by reflection, so combine it with the other steps.
• Slide on close-fitting, wraparound sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard.

How to use sunscreen well

Sunscreen only works as well as it's applied. Cancer Council's guidance is to:

• Apply a generous amount to clean, dry skin at least 20 minutes before you go outside.
• Use about a teaspoon for your head and neck, a teaspoon for each arm and leg, and a teaspoon each for the front and back of your body. That's about seven teaspoons (35 mL) for a full-body application for an average-sized adult.
• Reapply every two hours, and after swimming or heavy sweating, even if the label says water resistant.

Don't forget easy-to-miss spots like your ears, the back of your neck, your hairline and the tops of your feet. And remember that sunscreen is your last line of defence, not a suit of armour. It works best alongside clothing, a hat, shade and sunglasses.

The best sunscreen is one you'll actually use every day. If you find a formula feels heavy or uncomfortable on your face, that's worth raising in a consultation, so we can help you find a routine that suits your skin.

After-sun care

Even with good habits, skin can feel hot, tight or dry after a day outdoors. Gentle after-sun care can help it feel more comfortable:

• Have a cool or lukewarm shower rather than a hot one.
• Pat your skin dry and apply a soothing, fragrance-free moisturiser.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Stay out of the sun while your skin recovers.

If you do get sunburnt, remember that sunburn is a sign of skin damage. Avoid picking or peeling flaking skin, and keep the area out of the sun. If sunburn is severe or blistered, or if you feel unwell, dizzy or feverish, see a doctor.

Heat, sweat and breakouts

Many people find their skin feels oilier or more congested in hot, humid weather. Clogged pores from excess oil, dead skin cells and impurities can lead to congestion and blackheads, often around the nose and chin. A few simple habits may help:

• Cleanse gently after exercise or a sweaty day, and change out of damp clothes and swimwear promptly.
• Choose lightweight skincare and sunscreen formulas, and consider products labelled non-comedogenic if you're prone to congestion.
• Resist the urge to squeeze or pick at spots. This can lead to inflammation and marks that last longer than the breakout itself.

If breakouts persist or are affecting your confidence, our problem skin page explains how we approach congestion, adult acne and hormonal breakouts.

Stay hydrated, inside and out

Hot days and long stretches in the sun mean your body loses more fluid, so keep water with you and sip regularly through the day. Your skin still needs moisture in summer too. Air-conditioning can leave skin feeling dry and tight, even when you're oily in some areas. Many people prefer lighter textures, such as a gel or lotion, in the warmer months rather than skipping moisturiser altogether.

At Skin Wellness Academy, we believe your outer glow begins with your inner world. Your diet, sleep, emotions, skincare and lifestyle all work together to shape your skin's health. A balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, restful sleep (even on warm nights) and time to unwind all support you through the busy summer season.

Sun exposure, pigmentation and ageing

Sun protection isn't only about avoiding sunburn. UV radiation increases melanin production on exposed areas such as the face, hands and shoulders, and over time this can show up as sun damage and age spots. Other forms of pigmentation, such as melasma, are often associated with hormonal changes and can also worsen with environmental factors like sun exposure. Learn more on our pigmentation page.

Sun exposure is also one of the external factors that accelerate skin ageing, alongside pollution, smoking, stress and lifestyle choices. Cancer Council notes that UV damage causes premature ageing as well as sunburn and tanning. Our ageing page explains the difference between natural and environmental ageing.

Keep an eye on your skin

Get to know your skin and check it regularly. If you notice a new spot, or a mole or spot that changes in shape, colour or size, please see your GP or a dermatologist as soon as possible. Cancer Council notes that most skin cancers can be successfully treated if found early.

Get a summer skin plan that suits you

Every skin is different, and what works for a friend may not suit you. In a Skin Strategy Session, we take an in-depth look at your skin, lifestyle and goals, and analyse your current skincare routine and products. We also consider the nutrition and lifestyle factors that may be affecting your skin. You'll walk away with an easy-to-follow morning and night routine designed to suit your skin type, lifestyle and goals.

Book your Skin Strategy Session at our clinic at G1/5 Constitution Ave, Canberra (by appointment only), or call 0481 300 574. Not in Canberra? We also offer online Skin Strategy Sessions for interstate and international clients.

Already know what you need? Book online now and choose your treatment and appointment time directly in our booking portal.