It may not feel like it quite yet, but summer is almost here, which means that now is the time to start making those all important summer beauty swaps. That’s right, just as your winter jumpers and coats will soon be redundant, sticking to the same skincare routine isn’t going to work for you all year round.
Our skin is impacted by many things, from genetics and lifestyle to diet and product use, but one of the most significant factors that comes into play is the climate. While we may not have dramatically hot summers here in the UK, the rise in temperature does call for a few simple skincare swaps. For most of us, summer can trigger our skin to produce more oil, and we’re also likely to be dealing with the effects of increased sun exposure.
As an esthetician, the first thing I advise my clients to do when it comes to tweaking their skincare for summer is to make sure they’re using a broad spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen and not relying on their makeup or moisturiser for SPF coverage. The second thing? Switching out their rich, thick winter creams for lighter gel-textured moisturisers. These formulas will still provide intense hydration, but without feeling heavy or greasy on skin. The best summer moisturisers will absorb fast, won’t contribute to excess oil, will soothe any redness or irritation, and will help to prep skin for makeup application.
Keep reading to discover the 11 best summer moisturisers I recommend to my clients every year.
The best summer moisturisers:
1. The Inkey List Omega Water Cream
The INKEY List
The Inkey List Omega Water Cream Moisturizer
Ideal for oilier skin that needs an intensive moisture boost without the richness of a thick cream, this lightweight moisturiser combines the benefits of ceramides, omegas, glycerin, and niacinamide to help hydrate skin and simultaneously control oil production.
2. Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream Moisturizer
Summer Fridays
Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream Moisturizer
Combination skin will love this moisturiser, which delivers a heavy hit of hydration without clogging pores or leaving greasy residue. The oil-free formula helps to restore balance to skin via a cocktail of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and amino acids.
3. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Water Cream
Charlotte Tilbury
Charlotte’s Magic Water Cream
Fans of Charlotte Tilbury’s iconic Magic Cream may find that its thick texture isn’t best suited to their summer skin—which is exactly why the brand launched Water Cream—a lighter, more refreshing version. Expect the same glowy finish and 100 hours of hydration from one application.
4. Augustinus Bader The Light Cream
Augustinus Bader
The Light Cream
A lighter, mattifying version of Augustinus Bader’s The Cream, this moisturiser is perfect for summer. The supercharged formula works overtime to reduce excess sebum production and calm redness while refreshing and hydrating skin.
5. Byoma Moisturising Gel Cream
BYOMA
Moisturising Gel Cream
Fans of Byoma’s Rich Cream may want to switch to this formula during the summer months. The cooling gel texture is perfect for soothing skin after accidental sun exposure.
6. Versed Dew Point Moisturising Gel Cream
Versed
Dew Point Moisturizing Gel-Cream
Thanks to its weightless jelly texture, this moisturiser absorbs instantly and without leaving a trace of residue on skin. Plus, the addition of green tea and aloe makes this a perfect pick for skin prone to sensitivity and redness.
7. Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Gel Moisturiser
Laneige
Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Gel Moisturiser
Although Korean brand Laneige is best known for its hydrating overnight lip masks, in my opinion, this moisturiser is secretly the star of the show. Despite its light gel texture it packs a punch of hydration, quickly helping to relieve even the most dry and dehydrated skin.
8. Simple Soothing Water Cream
Simple
Soothing Water Cream
Those with dry skin may be wary of switching to lighter moisturisers, but this Simple offering will quickly put your mind to rest. It has a weightless gel cream texture but the formula is packed with heavy-hitting ceramides to help keep the skin barrier intact.
9. Sisley-Paris Sisleÿa L’intégral Anti-Âge Fresh Gel Cream
Sisley-Paris
Sisleÿa L’intégral Anti-Âge Fresh Gel Cream
Sisley’s Sisleÿa L’intégral Anti-Âge Cream is a cult classic which for decades has been renowned as one of the most effective anti-ageing creams out there. This year, the brand introduced the Fresh Gel version, delivering the same impressive benefits via a lighter-textured formula for summer.
10. Susanne Kaufmann Moisturising Day Fluid
Susanne Kaufmann
Moisturising Day Fluid
This milky-textured moisturiser smooths and softens skin, perfectly priming it for makeup application, and keeping skin hydrated so that excess oil isn’t produced.
11. Beauty Pie Happy Face 10% Azelaic Acid Skin-Clearing Gel Cream
Beauty Pie
Happy Face 10% Azelaic Acid Skin-Clearing Gel-Cream
Sensitive skin can experienced flare-ups during the summer due to increased UV exposure, so as well as a good sunscreen, a soothing moisturiser is a skincare essential. This one contains azelaic acid and cica, both perfect for calming and reducing redness.
