Summer is the season I tend to fumble my skincare routine. It's mostly because I'm lazy, but it's also because, according to master aesthetician Malika Sloan, I've been doing my seasonal skincare reset all wrong. Sloan is the mastermind behind Sloan Studio in New York, *the* spot for a next-level facial. She just reminded me that less is definitely more this season, even if your first instinct is to go crazy on treatments like peels, microneedling, and lasers.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who desperately needed Sloan's advice. Whether you're dealing with dullness, congestion, oiliness, or anything in between, Sloan shared her best tips for the ultimate summer glow. Her advice also happened to come at the perfect time. Amazon Prime Day starts today and runs through June 26, so you can score serious deals in the skincare department. Whatever your skin needs, now is the time to get your summer skin reset right. For everything to consider adding to your cart and Sloan's expert advice, keep scrolling.
Should I treat my skin differently during the summer?
According to Sloan, it's easy to think you can get away with using the same products year-round (guilty), but summer is the season to switch things up. "Summer skin has different needs than winter skin," she says. "Heat and humidity can increase sweat production during the warmer months, and when increased oil production combines with sweat, sunscreen, and environmental debris, pores can become congested more quickly." She even emphasizes that keeping your skincare routine exactly the same year-round is one of the biggest mistakes she sees while in the treatment room. "In reality, nine times out of 10, your winter moisturizer is not your summer moisturizer," she adds.
Don't be tempted to strip your skin of its natural oils this season, either. Sloan says overexfoliating or not using enough hydration can leave your skin more vulnerable to irritation and sun damage. "Summer can be a particularly vulnerable season for the skin, so my focus is always on maintaining a strong, healthy barrier while making seasonal adjustments to products and hydration levels," she explains.
Try the below on-sale Amazon favorites for a strong barrier, hydration, and extra sparkle this season.
What ingredients are aestheticians obsessed with for a summer glow?
Thanks to new skincare innovations, there are so many ways to glow this summer, but Sloan is a fan of a few classic ingredients to keep your skin looking fresh and dewy all season. "Vitamin C is one of my tried-and-true favorites," she says. "A medical-grade, effective vitamin C serum helps combat free radical damage and provides an additional layer of antioxidant protection against environmental stressors. Combined with SPF, it's a powerhouse summer pairing."
She also can't stress her love for peptides enough. "As popular as they are right now, they've been a staple in skincare for well over a decade," she tells me. "Growth factors, PDRN, PDGF, stem cell–derived ingredients, and other regenerative technologies are also incredibly anti-inflammatory and supportive of skin repair. I love that they can be used year-round and are generally well-tolerated across a variety of skin conditions."
Sloan also says that collagen-induction therapies and regenerative skincare are having a major moment, something she's completely on board with. "Using ingredients and treatments that support our skin's own collagen production, healing response, and ability to manage inflammation is key to maintaining healthy, youthful skin," she says. "I love a deep resurfacing laser or an intensive microneedling treatment—but only at the right time. That timing can vary dramatically from client to client depending on their lifestyle, travel schedule, and sun exposure."
Sloan is a big fan of AnteAge, a regenerative-skincare brand that utilizes growth factors to promote healing in the skin. While AnteAge isn't on sale for Prime Day (sigh), you can still buy it on Amazon at regular price. Shop a few other affordable and on-sale rejuvenating options below.
What should I do if my skin is congested, dull, or sunburned?
Summer can be a tricky season for any skin type. Finding a happy medium between keeping your pores clear and nourishing the skin barrier requires some finesse, and Sloan has a few tips on how you can do that. "I find that less is more this time of year, especially for those of us heading out east every weekend," she says. "I tend to forego most of my more active products, like retinol or at-home peels and instead stick to gentler pore-clearing ingredients such as salicylic acid cleansers, fruit enzyme toners, and enzyme masks."
If your skin is feeling congested or looking dull, Sloan says to focus on super-gentle exfoliation rather than opting for aggressive at-home peels. If you'll be out in the sun, some extra hydration and calming ingredients like cica and aloe vera are a must for your summer routine. "After a day in the sun, I love using the AnteAge Biosome Sheet Masks ($179) to rebalance and hydrate my skin," Sloan adds. If you happen to end up with a sunburn, Sloan recommends focusing on rebuilding the skin barrier with richer emollients (noncomedogenic ones like squalane and jojoba oil for acne-prone folks) for faster recovery.
Her favorite summer reset for dull or congested skin is her Sloan Reset Facial with a CO2 mask and red light therapy add-on. "We cleanse, dermaplane, use fruit enzymes, perform extractions, and incorporate Laser Genesis—one of the very few truly summer-friendly laser treatments," she explains. "My clients leave looking like real-life Barbie dolls. It's the perfect pre-vacation glow. It provides just enough exfoliation to create that glassy glow while simultaneously replenishing the skin with the nourishment it needs to withstand the summer months."
What should acne-prone folks keep in mind for summer?
Acne-prone folks often need a little extra help in the skin-reset department, but don't worry. Sloan delivered on that front too. Her best advice? Do not commit the cardinal sin of skipping your sunscreen. "SPF is your BFF—even for acne-prone skin," she says. "There are so many amazing sunscreens available now that are specifically formulated for acne-prone and sensitive skin types. I can't stress barrier protection enough during the summer months."
Another mistake you'll want to avoid is her previously mentioned sin of going too hard on the exfoliants. I know it isn't always easy, especially when oilier skin starts overproducing more oil during the summer, but Sloan says to press pause on that as best you can. "Keeping inflammation under control while protecting the skin from UV exposure will always give you better long-term results," she shares.
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