As featured in The Skimm, Glamour, and WWD
The sun is shining, temperatures are rising, and summer is officially on the horizon. While you're busy planning beach trips and updating your wardrobe, don't forget that your skincare routine needs a seasonal makeover too! The transition from spring to summer brings unique challenges for your skin, especially for your delicate lip area. With increased heat, humidity, and sun exposure, it's essential to adjust your skincare regimen to keep your complexion glowing and your lips lusciously hydrated all season long.
In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about transitioning your skincare routine for summer, with a special focus on achieving perfectly hydrated lips that are ready for anything the season throws your way. From understanding how different skin types respond to summer weather to discovering the game-changing ingredients your summer routine needs, we've got you covered with expert tips and product recommendations that will leave your skin looking its absolute best.
Before diving into specific product recommendations, it's important to understand how summer weather impacts different skin types. Knowing your skin's unique needs during warmer months is the first step to creating an effective summer skincare routine.
When temperatures rise, you might think dry skin finally gets a break, but that's not always the case. While outdoor humidity can provide some natural moisture, air conditioning, chlorine, and saltwater can actually exacerbate dryness.
For those with dry skin, summer requires:
Lightweight but deeply hydrating formulas that won't feel heavy in the heat
Products packed with humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin
Gentle exfoliation to remove dead skin cells that can prevent moisture absorption
Your dry lips need extra attention during summer too. They lack oil glands and are constantly exposed to environmental stressors like sun, wind, and dry air. Regularly exfoliating and applying nourishing treatments can help maintain soft, smooth lips throughout the season.
Summer often presents the biggest challenges for oily and combination skin types. Heat and humidity stimulate oil production, which can lead to increased shine, clogged pores, and breakouts.
For those with oily or combination skin, summer requires:
Even if you have oily skin, your face still needs proper hydration. Opt for lightweight, non-sticky skincare that provides moisture without feeling heavy or greasy.
Summer can be particularly harsh on sensitive skin. Heat, sun exposure, and environmental pollutants can trigger inflammation, redness, and irritation.
For those with sensitive skin, summer requires:
Your face deserves the same careful consideration - try our Skin Remedy bundle with eye masks, sheet mask, and protecting micro mist. Choose lip care products formulated without potential irritants like menthol, camphor, or artificial fragrances, which can further irritate sensitive skin.
When it comes to achieving that coveted summer glow, certain ingredients truly shine. Here are the powerhouse components you should look for in your summer skincare products:
Hyaluronic acid is a skincare superstar year-round, but it becomes especially valuable during summer. This powerful humectant can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, providing intense hydration without heaviness—perfect for hot summer days.
What makes hyaluronic acid exceptional is its ability to attract and retain moisture while having a lightweight, non-greasy feel on the skin. It creates a moisture reservoir that helps your skin stay hydrated even in fluctuating summer environments, from humid outdoors to dry, air-conditioned spaces.
For maximum benefits, look for products with different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, which allows for hydration at multiple skin layers. Patchology's Hydrating Lip Gels and Moodmask Get Dewy With It face mask both harness the power of hyaluronic acid to deliver deep hydration exactly where you need it most.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) is the definition of a multi-tasking skincare ingredient. During summer, it helps:
What makes niacinamide particularly valuable for summer is its ability to improve your skin's resilience against environmental stressors while addressing common summer skin concerns like excess oil and uneven tone.
Patchology's Hydrating Lip Gels contain niacinamide to help improve lip texture while evening tone and reducing the appearance of fine lines—everything you need for perfect summer lips.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that serve as building blocks for proteins like collagen and elastin. These powerful ingredients signal your skin to boost its natural processes, helping to:
Summer sun exposure can accelerate collagen breakdown, making peptides an essential ingredient in your warm-weather skincare arsenal. By incorporating peptide-rich products into your routine, you're helping to counteract some of the season's damaging effects.
Both Restoring Night eye masks and On Ice eye patches and hydrogel masks contain peptides that firm and smooth skin throughout the summer.
Antioxidants are crucial during summer when UV exposure increases free radical damage. Green tea extract is packed with polyphenols that help:
Green tea's natural anti-inflammatory properties make it perfect for soothing summer skin irritations, while its protective benefits help prevent long-term damage from increased sun exposure.
Patchology incorporates green tea extract into the Perk Up eye patches to help protect delicate lip skin while providing smoothing and firming benefits.
Summer often means travel—whether you're jetting off to a tropical beach destination, road-tripping to a national park, or flying cross-country for a wedding. While travel broadens our horizons, it can wreak havoc on our skin. Changes in climate, recirculated airplane air, disrupted sleep schedules, and limited access to your full skincare arsenal can all contribute to vacation skin woes.
Travel presents several specific skincare challenges that can be particularly problematic during summer:
Airplane cabin dryness: Aircraft cabins typically have extremely low humidity levels (often below 20%), which can severely dehydrate your skin during flights.
Climate transitions: Moving between different climates—like going from a humid coastal area to a dry desert location—forces your skin to rapidly adapt to new conditions.
Limited luggage space: Carrying your entire skincare routine isn't always practical, especially with liquid restrictions for carry-on luggage.
Disrupted routine: Travel often disrupts sleep patterns and regular skincare habits, which can affect your skin's overall health and appearance.
The good news? With the right travel-friendly products, you can maintain your summer glow no matter where your adventures take you.
Patchology's On The Fly Kit is specifically designed to address the unique skincare challenges of travel while taking up minimal space in your luggage. This comprehensive travel set contains everything you need to keep your skin hydrated, refreshed, and radiant throughout your summer journeys.
The kit includes:
Hydrate FlashMasque (2-pack): This powerful quick-fix mask is infused with hyaluronic acid and other hydrating ingredients to plump up the skin and give it a dewy glow. The fast-acting formula combats cabin air dryness in just 5 minutes, making it perfect for use during a flight or immediately after arrival at your destination.
Restoring Night Eye Gels: Transform tired under-eyes with these advanced retinol eye gels. Enriched with squalane and peptides, they work to firm and rejuvenate while you rest, making them perfect for overnight flights or hotel recovery. Apply these before sleeping to wake up looking refreshed, even if jet lag has other ideas.
Rejuvenating Eye Gels: For immediate eye refreshment, these energizing gels are infused with peptides, caffeine, and other nourishing ingredients that rapidly depuff and smooth your under-eyes, erasing signs of travel fatigue in just minutes. They're ideal for use before a day of sightseeing or pre-dinner refresh.
Hydrating Lip Gel: Keep your smile vacation-ready with this intensely moisturizing lip gel. It quickly hydrates and soothes dry, chapped lips caused by changing climates and air pressure—a common but often overlooked travel skincare concern.
This travel-friendly kit is ideal for frequent flyers, vacation travelers, business travelers, destination wedding attendees, or anyone wanting to maintain their skincare routine on the go. The compact packaging and TSA-friendly sizes mean you can easily tuck it into your carry-on, ensuring your skincare essentials are always within reach when you need them most.
To maximize the benefits of your On The Fly Kit and keep your skin looking its best during summer travels, follow these expert tips:
Pre-flight prep: Apply a rich moisturizer before boarding your flight to create a protective barrier against cabin dryness.
In-flight hydration: Use your Hydrating Lip Gel during the flight and consider applying the FlashMasque Hydrate midway through long flights to replenish moisture.
Arrival recovery: Once you reach your destination, assess your skin's needs. If you're feeling tired and puffy, apply the Rejuvenating Eye Gels for an immediate refresh.
Climate adaptation: Adjust your routine based on your destination's climate. Humid locations may require lighter hydration, while dry climates call for more intensive moisturizing treatments.
Consistency where possible: Try to maintain the core elements of your skincare routine—cleansing, hydrating, and protecting—even if the specific products or timing changes.
Remember, vacation should be about relaxation and enjoyment. With the right travel skincare kit, you can spend less time worrying about skincare emergencies and more time creating beautiful summer memories.
Your lips deserve special attention during summer. They're particularly vulnerable to dehydration, sun damage, and environmental stressors due to their thin skin and lack of oil glands. Here's how to keep them looking luscious all season long:
Just like the rest of your skin, your lips benefit from regular exfoliation—especially during summer when they're exposed to more environmental stressors. Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells that can make lips look dull and flaky, and it also allows moisturizing products to penetrate more effectively.
How to do it right:
Pro-tip: For an easy at-home lip exfoliant, mix a small amount of honey with fine sugar. Gently massage in circular motions, then rinse and apply a hydrating lip treatment immediately after.
After exfoliation, it's time for intense hydration. This is where targeted lip treatments really shine—products specifically formulated to address the unique needs of lip skin.
Patchology's Rosé Lip Gels are the perfect weekly treatment to transform dry, lined lips into a soft, smooth pout. These innovative hydrogel lip masks deliver powerful ingredients like niacinamide, peptides, and green tea extract in just 5 minutes, making them the perfect quick fix before a beach day or summer evening out.
What makes these lip gels special is their advanced delivery system, which ensures faster, more effective penetration of active ingredients for immediate and visible results. Use them twice weekly for maintained results, or before applying lipstick for a perfectly smooth application.
Between your weekly intensive treatments, daily maintenance is key to keeping lips consistently hydrated and protected. Look for balms that not only provide immediate moisture but also create a protective barrier against environmental stressors.
Patchology's Lip Service Gloss-to-Balm Treatment is the perfect daily companion for summer lips. This innovative lip treatment is formulated with goji berries, aloe, and honey, which provide a cushion of hydration that locks in moisture for ultimate softness. As you apply the gloss, it slowly melts into a soothing balm that nourishes and conditions your delicate lip skin.
One of the standout features of this product is its dual layer of protection. The treatment layer creates a physical barrier on your lips, while the active barrier is rich in antioxidants and pro-vitamins, which work together to provide continued protection against dryness and environmental stressors.
Your lips are just as susceptible to sun damage as the rest of your skin—maybe even more so, as many people forget to apply sun protection to this area. UV damage can lead to dryness, discoloration, and premature aging of the lips, not to mention an increased risk of skin cancers.
Always opt for lip products with SPF during summer months, especially when spending extended time outdoors. For maximum protection, look for broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, and reapply frequently, especially after eating, drinking, or swimming.
Pro tip: Layer your SPF lip balm under your favorite lip treatments for both protection and hydration. Apply the SPF product first, wait for it to absorb, then follow with your hydrating treatment.
While your lips require special attention, keeping your entire face hydrated during summer is equally important. Proper hydration helps maintain your skin barrier, prevents excessive oil production, and creates the perfect canvas for that coveted summer glow.
Face masks are an excellent way to deliver concentrated hydration exactly where your skin needs it most. Incorporating a weekly hydrating mask into your summer routine can help combat the drying effects of sun, chlorine, saltwater, and air conditioning.
Patchology's Moodmask Get Dewy With It Face Mask is specifically designed to provide an intensive moisture boost when your skin feels dry and dehydrated. This ultra-hydrating sheet mask features hyaluronic acid, Rose of Jericho, and Hijiki Algae to replenish moisture and improve your skin's elasticity in just 10 minutes.
For quicker hydration on busy summer days, try the FlashMasque Hydrate 5-Minute Sheet Mask. This innovative mask delivers powerful moisturizing ingredients up to four times faster than traditional masks, making it perfect for pre-makeup hydration or post-sun exposure recovery.
Summer is the perfect time to establish a self-care routine that nourishes both your skin and your soul. The MoodMask Me-Time Bundle offers everything you need for a complete facial treatment session, allowing you to address multiple skin concerns while taking time for yourself.
This bundle includes masks to hydrate, brighten, clear, and soothe—all essential actions for maintaining healthy summer skin. Use them individually to target specific concerns, or mix and match based on what your skin needs most on any given day.
Beyond choosing the right products, a few key strategies can help you maintain glowing skin throughout the summer months:
Beautiful skin starts from within. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is essential for maintaining skin hydration, especially during summer when you lose more fluid through sweat. Aim for at least eight glasses of water daily, and increase your intake when spending time outdoors or exercising.
In addition to plain water, hydrating foods like watermelon, cucumber, and strawberries can contribute to your daily fluid intake while providing skin-loving vitamins and antioxidants. Here are 8 Water-Infused Ideas to get you started.
Summer often requires more frequent cleansing due to increased sweating and oil production. However, over-cleansing can strip your skin of essential moisture and disrupt your skin barrier. Consider these summer cleansing adjustments:
Summer is all about simplicity. Products that serve multiple purposes not only streamline your routine but also reduce the amount of product layered on your skin—perfect for hot, humid days. Look for:
A simple but game-changing summer skincare hack is storing certain products in your refrigerator. The cooling effect not only feels amazing on hot skin but can also help reduce inflammation and puffiness.
Products that benefit from refrigeration include:
Patchology's Serve Chilled Under Eye Masks Bundle works particularly well when kept cool. This trio of On Ice, Bubbly, and Rosé eye gels delivers targeted benefits with an extra refreshing sensation when chilled—perfect for depuffing tired eyes after a day in the sun.
Ready to assemble your ultimate summer skincare arsenal? Here's a curated selection of Patchology products that work together to address all your summer skin concerns:
FlashPatch Hydrating Lip Gels: For weekly intensive treatments that deliver immediate results
Lip Service Gloss-to-Balm Treatment: For daily hydration and protection with a beautiful finish
Moodmask Get Dewy With It Face Mask: For when your skin needs a serious moisture boost
FlashMasque Hydrate 5-Minute Sheet Mask: For quick hydration on the go
The Chill-est Trio Under Eye Masks: For addressing multiple under-eye concerns with a cooling sensation
MoodMask Me-Time Bundle: For a comprehensive facial treatment experience
All these products and more are available in our Summer Essentials Collection, curated specifically to address warm-weather skincare needs.
With the right knowledge, ingredients, and products, transitioning your skincare routine for summer becomes an opportunity rather than a challenge. By understanding how summer affects your specific skin type and incorporating targeted treatments like Patchology's hydrating lip and face masks, you can maintain a radiant, healthy complexion throughout the season.
Remember that consistency is key. Establishing and maintaining a summer skincare routine that includes regular exfoliation, deep hydration, and sun protection will not only address immediate concerns but also help prevent long-term damage from summer's environmental stressors.
So as you prepare for beach days, poolside lounging, and summer adventures, don't forget to give your skin—especially your lips—the care they deserve. With these tips and Patchology's innovative skincare solutions, you'll be ready to face the season with confidence and a gorgeous summer glow.
What's your biggest summer skincare challenge? Take our skincare quiz, and our skincare experts will help you find the perfect solution!
