I'm a Beauty Editor—Here Are the Summer Skincare Swaps I'm Making Right Now

I am, for lack of a better phrase, a total sun-worshipper. It’s not that I’m addicted to tanning or anything (trust me, sun-induced premature ageing means I am slathered in factor 50 all summer long)—it’s just that I really love the heat. As someone who lives in London where we spend the majority of the year wrapped up in waterproof jackets, fighting broken brollies and wearing down the soles of heavy-duty boots, the laid-back, carefree nature of summer gets me excited. 

And I think it might have finally arrived. With the mercury finally hitting 20+, I have flung open the windows, pulled out the fan, packed away my knits and pulled out my dresses and shorts. However, my wardrobe is not the only area where I have been making substitutes. As the heat from the sun gets more intense and the days become more humid, I’ve also had to make some changes to my skincare lineup.

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(Image credit: @SHANNONLAWLOR)

You see, the summer brings with it a whole new bunch of skin issues. Whereas in the winter our routines are usually all about moisture and combatting irritation, come summer, our attention tends to turn towards sun protection, oil production and exfoliation. So, as I sat cross-legged on my bathroom floor last night, I started whittling down my product in an attempt to fine-tune my skincare routine for the summer ahead. Keep scrolling to see what products I decided to keep hold of, the ones I have stashed away for winter and which formulas I've added to my routine.

1. Cleanser

KEEP

STASH

ADD

2. Exfoliator

KEEP

STASH

ADD

3. Serum

KEEP

STASH

ADD

4. Moisturiser

KEEP

STASH

ADD

5. SPF

KEEP

STASH

ADD

6. Extras

KEEP

ADD

This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated. 

Next up, 14 holy-grail sunscreens that won't break you out

Freelance Beauty Editor

Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and has contributed to Who What Wear’s beauty content since 2020. As a leading beauty editor, expert and brand consultant, she has over eight years of experience working for some of the industry’s most esteemed titles, including Who What Wear (of course), Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29 and Fabulous. Having also worked behind the scenes with some of the industry’s biggest brands and retailers, Shannon has a unique insight into what people really want from their beauty routines. Understanding that beauty lovers seek honest, open and responsible advice, she has it made her mission to demystify the intimidating world of beauty, taking a no-frills approach to the most relatable topics. While Shannon is the first to admit she doesn’t hold the answer to every beauty question out there, she is dedicated to sharing her expert insights in a bid to help. As a self-proclaimed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for easy-to-use, foolproof beauty products and has made it her mission to scope out the best of the best. When she’s not working, Shannon is likely soaking in the bath or giving no-holds-barred beauty reviews on Instagram from her bathroom floor.