Discover effective habits to prevent summer breakouts, from proper cleansing to skincare routines, and learn how daily habits can affect skin health. | Health …
Prime Day is Amazon’s massive annual shopping event exclusively for Prime members, featuring major discounts across pretty much every category imaginable. Think of it as Black Friday in the middle of the year, with limited-time lightning deals, celebrity-loved finds, beauty steals, tech markdowns, and viral products all competing for your attention.
Over the years, Prime Day has become one of the biggest shopping events online, with other retailers often launching competing sales at the same time. Whether you’re stocking up on household essentials or finally buying that item sitting in your cart for months, Prime Day is known for delivering some of Amazon’s lowest prices of the year.
But while the season brings plenty of reasons to celebrate, it also introduces unique challenges for your skin. Increased UV exposure, heat, humidity, sweat, and environmental stressors can accelerate aging, trigger breakouts, worsen pigmentation, and compromise skin health if not properly managed.
The good news? A strategic skincare approach, combined with expert-guided aesthetic treatments, can help maintain a radiant, healthy complexion all season long.
As temperatures rise, the skin naturally produces more oil and sweat. While this can create a dewy appearance, it can also contribute to clogged pores, acne flare-ups, and inflammation. At the same time, UV radiation remains one of the leading causes of premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and collagen breakdown.
Dr. Tania Hassanzadeh, a fellowship-trained Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, tells YH, “Summer is my favorite season of the year, but serious damage can be done to your skin if precautions aren’t taken! One of the most preventable causes of aging is unprotected sun exposure. The problem is, most signs of sun damage — like dark spots and skin texture changes, let alone skin cancers — don’t appear until years later, so you don’t realize it’s related to the sun until it’s too late. It’s crucial to be mindful of these risks and to protect yourself before basking in the sun.”
According to dermatology experts, prevention is key. Daily sunscreen use, antioxidant protection, proper hydration, and regular skin maintenance can dramatically improve both short- and long-term skin outcomes.
If there’s one skincare rule that never takes a vacation, it’s sunscreen.
Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher should be applied every morning and reapplied throughout the day, especially during outdoor activities. UV rays can penetrate clouds, windows, and even affect skin during routine daily errands.
In addition to protecting against sunburn, consistent SPF use helps prevent:
– Hyperpigmentation and sunspots
– Fine lines and wrinkles
– Collagen loss
– Uneven skin texture
– Increased skin cancer risk
Dr. H, as her patients like to call her, stresses, “The top advice I constantly repeat to my patients is to wear broad-spectrum, mineral sunscreen that is SPF 40 and above, in addition to mechanical protection with a hat and sunglasses. Not only does this keep your skin looking young, but it also decreases your risk of skin cancer. Daily life includes sneaky moments of sun exposure you may take for granted — even simply driving to work — so sunscreen must be worn daily. The sun takes no breaks!”
While aggressive resurfacing procedures are often reserved for cooler months, several minimally invasive aesthetic treatments can safely enhance skin quality during summer when performed by qualified providers.
Hydrafacial: The Instant Glow Treatment
Hydrafacial remains a celebrity favorite for a reason. The multi-step treatment deeply cleanses, exfoliates, extracts impurities, and infuses the skin with hydrating serums.
Benefits include:
– Immediate radiance
– Improved hydration
– Reduced congestion
– Enhanced makeup application
– No downtime
This makes it an ideal treatment before vacations, events, and red-carpet appearances.
– Enlarged pores
– Skin texture
Dr. H says, “Microneedling is absolutely one of my go-to treatments for the summer. It’s safe for nearly all skin types, recovery time is short, and sun-sensitivity is limited post-treatment. It’s perfect for refining your skin with a soft glow — so you’re ready for all your vacation photos.”
Neurotoxins for a Fresh, Rested Look
Treatments such as botulinum toxin injections continue to be popular year-round for softening dynamic wrinkles and preventing deeper lines from forming.
Common treatment areas include:
– Forehead lines
– Crow’s feet
– Frown lines
Because these treatments involve minimal downtime, they’re often incorporated into summer beauty routines.
Biostimulators and Collagen-Regenerating Treatments
Modern aesthetic medicine increasingly focuses on prevention and regeneration rather than correction alone. Treatments that stimulate collagen production can help improve skin quality over time while maintaining natural-looking results.
Dr. H wants you to know, “One of the most exciting frontiers in aesthetics is regenerative medicine. The idea is to harness your body’s natural repair mechanisms at a cellular level to revitalize and restore the appearance of your skin. While nanofat transfer, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) have been around for a several years, newcomers include exosomes and peptides. I’m a big proponent of combining exosomes with microneedling and laser resurfacing to expedite procedure recovery and to maximize collagen production.”
(© Dr. Tania Hassanzadeh)
Healthy skin starts from within. Increased outdoor activity and higher temperatures can contribute to dehydration, which often manifests as dullness, dryness, and increased sensitivity.
To support optimal skin function:
– Increase water intake
– Incorporate electrolyte-rich beverages when appropriate
– Use lightweight hydrating serums containing hyaluronic acid
– Avoid over-exfoliation
Layering hydration while maintaining a strong skin barrier is one of the most effective ways to preserve a youthful summer glow.
One of the most common skin concerns during summer is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and sun-induced discoloration.
Preventive measures include:
– Daily sunscreen application
– Wearing hats and protective clothing
– Using antioxidant serums such as Vitamin C
– Avoiding excessive sun exposure during peak hours
For patients already experiencing pigmentation concerns, professional consultation can help determine the safest treatment plan while minimizing the risk of worsening discoloration. Dr. H says, “Commonsense protections from the sun including avoidance, clothing barriers, and sunscreen are the best ways to prevent hyperpigmentation during the summer. Once the pigment is there, I suggest a combination of skincare and laser therapy to attack it from multiple angles. My favorite skincare actives are niacinamide, arbutin, and tranexamic acid. For laser, I recommend either intense pulsed light (IPL) or erbium laser resurfacing depending on my patient’s needs.”
The beauty industry’s focus continues to shift away from dramatic transformations and toward healthy, resilient, naturally radiant skin. Today’s patients are increasingly seeking treatments that support skin quality, collagen production, and long-term wellness.
Rather than chasing trends, experts recommend investing in preventive care, evidence-based treatments, and consistent daily habits that protect the skin year-round.
As summer unfolds, the ultimate beauty goal isn’t perfection, it’s healthy skin that looks refreshed, confident, and authentically you. “Summertime is meant to be enjoyed outdoors, but protecting your skin should remain a priority,” says Dr. H. “Daily sunscreen is the most important step in preventing premature aging and sun damage, while minimal-downtime treatments like neuromodulator injections and microneedling can help maintain healthy, youthful-looking skin year-round.”
Happy Summer, everyone!
Dermatologists recommend adjusting your skincare routine based on the season and changing weather.
Expert-approved summer skincare tips include using SPF, incorporating antioxidants like vitamin C into your routine, and regularly exfoliating.
It’s once again time to break out the summer skincare routine. Like switching out your wardrobe from scarves and sweaters to sundresses and sandals, your warm-weather skincare routine should be lightweight and free from thick or heavy products. “It’s essential to adjust your skincare routine to address changes in temperature and humidity,” says board-certified dermatologist Mona Foad, MD. “I recommend switching to lighter, hydrating products like those with hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and glycerin, which provide hydration without feeling heavy.”
A good summer skincare routine isn’t just about lightweight moisturizers, though. For the low-down on how to get the best skin this summer, we asked Foad and board-certified dermatologists Ava Shamban, MD, and Karan Lal, DO, for the best skincare tips they swear by all season long. Ahead, six expert-approved summer skincare tips to incorporate into your routine.
Ava Shamban, MD, is a board-certified celebrity dermatologist, clinician, and author based in Los Angeles. She is the founder of AVAMD Dermatology and Althaea Skin.
Karan Lal, DO, is a celebrity double board-certified adult pediatric and cosmetic dermatologist based in Scottsdale, AZ.
Mona Foad, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Mona Dermatology based in Cincinnati, OH.
Arguably, the most essential part of your summer skincare routine (or any season, TBH) is wearing SPF. By now, you probably already know that wearing sunscreen is a must. But on top of that, remembering to apply it everywhere that may get exposed to those harmful UV rays, like on the scalp and lips, will prevent unwanted surprise burns. (Your scalp burns way faster than you’d think, especially after a long winter hiding under beanies.)
“More concentrated time spent outdoors in high UV index weather requires some additional measures,” says Shamban. Brush a mineral powder SPF (like zinc oxide, which “won’t irritate even the most sensitive” skin) all over your scalp, specifically concentrating on the hair’s part, she says. “It also helps to absorb excess oil [in the hair].”
Shamban also recommends swapping out lipsticks for SPF lip balms. “Summer is the best time of year to put away drying matte lipsticks and pencils to protect your pout,” she says. If you’re not ready to give up the full glam makeup look, there are plenty of options out there with color. “SPF products with tint will prevent transepidermal water loss and keep lips smooth, supple, plump, hydrated, and healthy.”
Cooling skincare ingredients will feel so refreshing on the skin after a long day in the heat and humidity, even if you haven’t been in the sun. Foad says to look out for ingredients like aloe vera, cucumber, and even mint-based products, as these will “provide instant relief, especially after sun exposure, and help calm the skin.”
If you do find yourself feeling a little crispy after too much time in the sun (it happens to the best of us), after-sun recovery products will provide some quick comfort. Foad expects these types of products to gain popularity over the summer. Keep an eye out for “formulations with ingredients like chamomile, calendula, and hyaluronic acid, which provide much-needed hydration and repair to skin that has been exposed to the sun,” she says.
If you ask any dermatologist what ingredients are in their ideal skincare routine, an antioxidant like vitamin C will absolutely be one of them. Antioxidant-rich skincare is a must-have, especially in the summer. Vitamin C “helps to prevent premature aging and protect against environmental damage,” says Foad. Shamban recommends increasing your antioxidants or adding a vitamin C serum into your routine if you don’t use one already.
Another popular antioxidant is niacinamide. “This ingredient is a powerhouse that helps repair the skin barrier [and] helps with hyperpigmentation,” says Lal. “In the summer months, I recommend people use niacinamide either in a serum or in their moisturizer once a day to help fight free radicals from excessive UV exposure.”
Staying out of the sun is a surefire way to help keep your skin healthy and prevent premature aging. Fortunately, sun tanning alternatives abound, from body self-tanners like mousses and creams to bronzing face drops. Lal recommends contouring with self-tanner to get a bronzed look without spending time in those UV rays. “I think this is brilliant for those who want to have that contoured look for longer and that sun-kissed appearance,” he says. Both Lal and Shamban also suggest wearing sun-protective, UPF-rated clothing if you will be spending extensive time in the sun.
If you’re noticing your pores are getting clogged more often during the summer, you’re not alone. “High temperatures combined with extreme humidity and heavy sweating can lead to increases in sebum production or trapping bacteria on the skin surface, leading to clogged pores,” says Shamban. To combat this and keep pores clean and clear, she recommends double cleansing, using an exfoliating cleanser, or wiping a peel pad on your skin at night.
“Opt for gentle exfoliation with AHAs, BHAs, or physical exfoliants to help with skin turnover and enhance product absorption,” says Foad. Ingredients to look out for include glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, or enzymes, adds Shamban.
If you want to keep your routine quick and easy, investing in multi-use skincare products is a must. Summer-friendly hybrid products often combine skincare or makeup with SPF. “We are moving towards the ‘sunification’ of beauty,” says Shamban.
It’s always important to apply a traditional standalone sunscreen as the last step of your skincare routine, even if you’re using an SPF-infused makeup or skincare product, as you might not be applying enough product to get the full SPF value of the makeup product. But, if you’re in a pinch or want an extra layer of protection, derms are all for these easy-to-use products. “I’m seeing a shift toward SPF-infused skincare products, such as moisturizers and foundations with built-in sun protection,” says Foad. “These provide added convenience and ensure we’re consistently protected from harmful UV rays throughout the day.”
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Summer beauty trends are moving away from heavy foundations and complicated makeup routines. Instead of layering multiple products, more people are embracing a lighter, fresher approach that feels comfortable even during long, hot days. Minimal makeup has become one of the biggest beauty trends this season, focusing on healthy-looking skin, lightweight textures, and effortless radiance.
The biggest advantage of minimal makeup is practicality. Fewer products mean quicker application, less maintenance, and fewer chances of makeup melting in heat and humidity. Whether heading to work, stepping out for lunch, or planning an evening outing, a few carefully chosen products can help create an easy, polished summer look.
Heavy foundations, thick powders, and multiple layers can feel uncomfortable in rising temperatures. Sweat, humidity, and excess oil often cause makeup to fade, separate, or look patchy throughout the day. A minimal makeup routine focuses on lightweight formulas and smart product placement instead of full coverage. The aim is to create a natural, healthy glow that feels breathable and stays fresh for longer.
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No summer makeup routine is complete without sun protection. A tinted sunscreen or lightweight skin tint helps even out the complexion while giving a natural finish. Unlike full-coverage foundations, these products allow the skin to breathe and maintain a fresh appearance. Applying a thin layer using fingers or a damp sponge can help achieve a seamless look.
Instead of using foundation all over the face, concealer can be applied only where needed. Focus on areas such as under-eye darkness, redness around the nose, blemishes, or uneven patches. This targeted method gives a more natural finish while keeping makeup light and comfortable.
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A cream blush can instantly brighten the face and create a healthy appearance. Soft peach, coral, and rosy pink shades work especially well in summer, adding a subtle sun-kissed glow. Many cream blushes can also double as lip colour, making them a practical multitasking product.
Well-shaped brows can instantly make the face look more polished. A clear or tinted brow gel helps define and shape brows quickly without the need for pencils or powders, creating a natural yet put-together finish.
A single coat of mascara can make the eyes look more awake and refreshed. Water-resistant formulas work particularly well in summer by preventing smudging from sweat or humidity. For a softer everyday look, applying mascara only to the upper lashes can work beautifully.
Some summer days feel too hot for a full beauty routine. On such days, keeping it simple may work best. A combination of tinted sunscreen, cream blush, and mascara can create a fresh, healthy appearance in under five minutes while keeping the skin comfortable.
Summer beauty does not have to involve a crowded makeup bag or a lengthy routine. Sometimes, a handful of lightweight, multitasking products is enough to create a fresh and polished look that feels easy to wear from morning to night.
Source: Jacob Wackerhausen / Getty
Hot girl summer starts with healthy skin, and for Black women, that means keeping your glow protected while preventing the dark spots and uneven tone that can show up after long days in the sun. While melanin-rich skin offers some natural protection, summer heat, humidity, and UV exposure can still trigger hyperpigmentation, excess oil production, and skin irritation. The secret to maintaining that radiant, lit-from-within glow? A simple routine focused on hydration, brightening, and serious sun protection. So, what’s the best skincare routine for Black women in the summer? Here’s what to do, according to experts.
Source: Taras Grebinets / Getty
Start your mornings with a gentle cleanse. During the summer, your skin doesn’t need anything overly harsh.
NYC-based board-certified dermatologist Rose Ingleton told Allure during an interview on March 31 that she starts her day simply by splashing water on her face. A mild cleanser can also help refresh your complexion without stripping away its natural moisture. Skip aggressive scrubs and rough exfoliators, which can create irritation and increase the likelihood of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Source: Milky Way / Getty
Next, reach for a vitamin C or antioxidant serum. Think of this step as your skin’s daily bodyguard. Antioxidants help fight environmental stressors, brighten dull skin, and support the fading of existing dark spots. Ingredients like THD Ascorbate, a stable form of vitamin C, are especially effective for melanin-rich skin because they help improve overall radiance without causing unnecessary irritation.
Ingleton told Allure that her go-to product is Future Bright Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum from her brand, Rose Ingleton MD.
“An antioxidant serum followed by an SPF each morning can ward off free radicals and prevent damage from the sun, especially the invisible kind present even on cloudy days,” she explained.
Source: VladimirFLoyd / Getty
As temperatures rise, it’s also time to swap out heavy winter creams for lightweight hydration. Gel moisturizers and water-based formulas provide plenty of moisture without feeling greasy or clogging pores. Look for hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, which helps attract and retain water, leaving skin plump, smooth, and refreshed even during the most humid days. At night, she uses a gentle brightening cleanser to remove the day’s makeup and dirt.
Caroline Opene, medical director of the UCLA Health Skin of Color Clinic, echoed a similar sentiment during an interview with AARP in 2025.
Before washing her face at night, the skincare expert shared that she uses CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water to wipe off sunscreen, makeup and oil.
“A few nights a week, I use an alpha-hydroxy acid … toner for gentle exfoliation,” Opene further explained. “The rest of the nights, I’ll apply my prescription-strength retinoid tazarotene,” a light cream primarily used to treat acne, that keeps “breakouts at bay and reduces dark spots and has added anti-aging benefits.”
Source: Marti Rossello Garrido / Getty
The real MVP of any summer skincare routine, however, is sunscreen. If you’re serious about protecting your glow, preventing hyperpigmentation, and slowing signs of premature aging, daily SPF is non-negotiable. Tiffany Clay, a board-certified dermatologist from Atlanta, told Allure that her personal favorites are Senté’s Invisible Shield Full Physical and the Glytone Hydra Lipid UV Mineral Sunscreen.
“They don’t leave a white cast on my skin, which I love,” she said.
Thankfully, today’s sunscreens are far more inclusive than ever. Invisible formulas leave no chalky residue and blend seamlessly into deeper skin tones, while newer mineral options feature warm tints that eliminate the dreaded white cast many Black women have struggled with for years.
Ultimately, the best summer skincare routine for Black women doesn’t have to be complicated. Cleanse gently, brighten strategically, hydrate consistently, and never leave home without SPF. Follow those simple steps, and you’ll spend less time worrying about dark spots and more time enjoying everything the summer season has to offer. Because the goal isn’t just surviving the summer heat, it’s glowing through it.
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Picture this: it’s 30 degrees in peak summer, you’re perpetually sweating and your handheld fan is working overtime, pushing out what can only be described as a warm whisper of air that isn’t touching the sides. Your arms are superglued to your body, your confidence is lost somewhere in a heat-induced haze, and you’ve chosen an outfit that highlights every sweat patch.
Fear not, friends, because surviving summer doesn’t require a total skincare overhaul – just a few strategic tweaks and some well-formulated products that do the heavy lifting. Intimate skincare brand Femfresh has carved out a niche in this space, with a range of dermatologist-tested products that deliver on everyday freshness.
Along with advice from consultant dermatologists Dr Ophelia Veraitch and Dr Aiza Jamil, we’ve rounded up the five ways to freshen up your routines for the season ahead.
Summer dressing starts with fabric choice. Dr Veraitch recommends “breathable, natural fabrics such as cotton” to help reduce moisture build-up, while Dr Jamil says to avoid tight synthetic materials as they can “increase irritation and folliculitis.” In short, your skin would quite like to stop marinating.
Let’s get one thing straight: sweating is a totally normal and healthy occurrence that means your body is regulating its own temperature to keep you cool. If, however, you find that your intimate area isn’t feeling quite as fresh as you’d like after some time in the sun, it might be worth slotting a pack of wipes into your bag. Femfresh’s biodegradable daily intimate wipes are formulated with 99% natural-origin ingredients to bring freshness to your vulva wherever you are. A quick one-two in the loo, and you’ll be good to go.
Courtesy of Femfresh
One cleanse removes makeup. Two removes sweat, SPF and pollution build-up. During the summer, these can “clog pores and trigger breakouts,” says Dr Veraitch, which is why both dermatologists stress the importance of proper evening cleansing. Dr Veraitch recommends using AHA- or BHA-based cleansers, explaining that they deeply cleanse the skin and keep pores clear without harsh scrubbing.
“The intimate area is naturally self-regulating, so less is often more,” says Dr Jamil, who recommends “gentle, pH-balanced cleansers designed specifically for intimate skin” and avoiding heavily fragranced products or aggressive exfoliation. In other words: your vulva does not need a 12-step routine or to smell like a tropical cocktail. Femfresh’s Daily Intimate Wash, enriched with aloe vera and calendula extracts, is pH and microbiome balanced, soap-free and made with 94% natural origin ingredients making it the perfect option for daily use during your shower.
Courtesy of Femfresh
Heat and friction can compromise the skin barrier, especially on the thighs, leading to irritation. Barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid should be your first port of call, as “they help reinforce the skin barrier, maintain hydration, and reduce transepidermal water loss,” says Dr Veraitch. Heatwave? Bring it on!
Explore the full range of daily intimate products.
As temperatures rise and humidity levels intensify during the summer months, skin often becomes more vulnerable to a range of concerns. Increased sweating, excess oil production, dehydration, and prolonged sun exposure can all affect skin health and appearance. Adapting a seasonal skincare routine becomes essential to maintain balance, comfort, and a natural glow throughout the hotter days.
Experts in skincare suggest that effective summer care does not require overly complex routines. Instead, it is about following a few consistent and practical steps that protect the skin while keeping it nourished and refreshed.
Daily Sun Protection for Skin Safety
One of the most important aspects of summer skincare is protecting the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. Prolonged sun exposure can lead to tanning, pigmentation, premature aging, and uneven skin tone. Using sunscreen on a daily basis helps create a protective barrier against these effects.
Modern formulations such as lightweight and tinted sunscreens are increasingly preferred during summer. These products often combine sun protection with a subtle tone-evening effect, making them suitable for daily wear. Sweat-resistant options also ensure longer-lasting protection, even in humid and active conditions, helping the skin stay shielded throughout the day.
Importance of Hydration for Healthy Skin
Hydration plays a key role in maintaining skin health during the summer season. Higher temperatures can cause the skin to lose moisture more quickly, leading to dryness or an imbalance in oil levels. Ensuring adequate water intake helps support the skin’s natural elasticity and overall freshness from within.
Alongside internal hydration, external skincare choices also matter. Lightweight moisturisers, particularly gel-based formulations, are often recommended for warmer weather. These absorb quickly into the skin without leaving a heavy or greasy feel. They help maintain moisture balance while providing a cooling and soothing effect, especially for those with oily or combination skin types.
Cooling and Refreshing Skincare Ingredients
During hot weather, skincare products that include cooling ingredients can provide added relief. Natural elements known for their refreshing properties are often used in cleansers and body care products to help calm heat-stressed skin.
Ingredients such as watermelon extract and mint-based formulations are commonly associated with a cooling sensation that refreshes the skin. Similarly, eucalyptus-infused body washes are used to cleanse away sweat, dirt, and environmental impurities while maintaining the skin’s natural barrier. These ingredients help leave the skin feeling clean, refreshed, and balanced after exposure to heat and pollution.
Gentle Exfoliation for Smoother Skin
Exfoliation is another important step in summer skincare, but it needs to be done carefully. Mild exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and gradually reduce tanning caused by sun exposure. This results in smoother texture and a brighter appearance over time.
Natural exfoliating elements such as turmeric, sandalwood, and saffron are often included in skincare routines for their skin-enhancing properties. These ingredients are known to support a clearer complexion, reduce minor breakouts, and improve overall skin texture. However, gentle application is key, as excessive exfoliation during summer can lead to irritation or dryness.
Protective Clothing and External Care
Skincare during summer is not limited to products alone. External protection also plays a significant role in reducing skin damage. Wearing light-coloured and breathable clothing helps reflect sunlight and reduces heat absorption. Full-sleeved outfits made from airy fabrics offer additional protection against direct sun exposure.
Accessories such as scarves, hats, and sunglasses can further shield the face and sensitive areas from harsh sunlight. These simple adjustments contribute significantly to reducing tanning and long-term sun damage.
Building a Simple Summer Routine
Overall, summer skincare is most effective when it remains simple, consistent, and focused on protection and hydration. By combining sun protection, adequate hydration, cooling ingredients, gentle exfoliation, and smart clothing choices, it becomes easier to manage the challenges of hot weather.
A balanced approach ensures that the skin remains healthy, comfortable, and naturally radiant throughout the season, even under intense summer conditions.
Mangoes are widely loved as a seasonal fruit, but they are also gaining attention in natural skincare routines. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, mango-based DIY treatments are being explored for their potential to support soft, hydrated, and refreshed-looking skin during the harsh summer months.
The fruit contains vitamin C, which plays a role in supporting collagen production. Collagen is an important protein that helps maintain skin elasticity and firmness. With regular use in skincare formulations, vitamin C-rich ingredients are often associated with a more radiant and youthful-looking complexion.
Mangoes also contain vitamin A and beta-carotene, both of which are commonly linked with skin nourishment and repair. These nutrients are often used in home remedies aimed at reducing dryness and improving overall skin texture. Their natural composition makes mangoes especially appealing for people dealing with dullness or uneven skin tone.
Because mango pulp is mildly acidic, it may also provide a gentle exfoliating effect. This can help lift away dead skin cells and contribute to a smoother surface appearance over time, making the skin feel cleaner and more refreshed.
DIY Mango-Sandalwood Face Mask Recipe
A homemade mango-sandalwood face mask has become a popular natural skincare option for those looking to incorporate fruit-based ingredients into their beauty routine. This blend combines nourishing butters, oils, and herbal powders designed to moisturize and calm the skin.
Ingredients Needed
To prepare this mask, the following ingredients are commonly used:
Each ingredient contributes a different benefit. Shea butter and mango seed butter are known for their deep moisturizing properties, while honey is often used for its natural humectant qualities, helping the skin retain moisture. Coconut oil adds nourishment, and sandalwood powder is traditionally used in skincare for its calming and cooling effect.
Preparation Method
The preparation of this mask is simple and can be done at home with minimal tools. The process begins by gently melting shea butter and mango seed butter together until the mixture becomes smooth and warm, but not overheated.
Once melted, raw honey is added and blended thoroughly until the mixture turns creamy and uniform. After this, coconut oil is stirred in to ensure even distribution throughout the mask.
Finally, sandalwood powder is slowly incorporated into the mixture. It is important to mix well to avoid lumps and achieve a consistent paste-like texture suitable for application.
Application and Usage
Before applying the mask, the face should be cleansed and dried properly. A thin to medium layer of the mixture can then be applied evenly across the face, including delicate areas while avoiding direct contact with the lash line.
The mask is typically left on the skin for around 20 minutes, allowing the natural ingredients to absorb and interact with the skin surface. During this time, a cooling sensation may be experienced due to the sandalwood and coconut oil content.
After the waiting period, the mask can be removed by rinsing with cold water. Some prefer using ice-cold water or gently pressing cooled ice cubes against the skin before washing to enhance the refreshing effect.
Once the mask is fully removed, the skin can be gently patted dry. A light moisturizer may be applied afterward if needed, depending on individual skin type and hydration levels.
A Natural Addition to Summer Skincare
This mango-sandalwood face mask reflects a growing interest in natural, ingredient-based skincare routines. With its combination of fruit extracts, plant-based butters, and traditional herbal powders, it offers a simple at-home option for those looking to maintain soft, nourished skin during the summer season.
Summer skincare can get a bit confusing. The moment the weather changes, skin starts behaving differently – more oil, more sweat, the occasional breakout – and most of us instinctively try to “fix” it. We wash our face more often, switch to stronger products, or stop using moisturiser altogether because everything already feels greasy.
But what’s often missing is that these quick fixes can quietly weaken the skin over time.
A lot of this comes down to the skin barrier. It’s the outer layer of your skin that holds everything together, keeps moisture in, protects from environmental stress, and helps maintain balance. And in summer, this barrier is already working overtime.
Especially now, when summers are harsher and nights don’t cool down as much, the skin doesn’t really get a break. Add to that the constant back-and-forth between outdoor heat, pollution, and indoor air-conditioning, and it’s not surprising that skin starts feeling off, sometimes oily, sometimes dry, sometimes just more sensitive than usual.
In this kind of environment, a few everyday habits can do more damage than we realise:
Over-cleansing
Washing the face multiple times a day can feel refreshing, especially in humid weather. But frequent cleansing – particularly with strong or foaming face washes – can strip away the skin’s natural lipids. These lipids are essential for maintaining the barrier. Once disrupted, the skin often responds by producing even more oil, creating a cycle that’s hard to manage. A gentler approach, using mild cleansers with ingredients like aloe, neem, or tulsi, can help remove impurities without disturbing the skin’s balance.
Skipping moisturiser
One of the most common misconceptions is that oily skin doesn’t need moisturiser in summer. In reality, oil and hydration are not the same. Heat, sun exposure, and air-conditioning can all reduce the skin’s water content, even if it appears greasy. Skipping moisturiser can weaken the barrier over time, making the skin more prone to irritation. Lightweight, water-based hydration, such as gels or formulations with cucumber or fruit extracts, can help replenish moisture without feeling heavy.
Over-exfoliating
There’s also this urge in summer to constantly “clean” the skin – get rid of tan, dullness, clogged pores. Exfoliation helps, but only to a point.
When it becomes too frequent or too harsh, it can thin out the skin barrier and make your skin more reactive, especially in the sun. That’s when you start noticing redness or that slight stinging feeling.
Gentler exfoliation works better in the long run. Even traditional formats like ubtan, when used mildly, tend to be less disruptive and still effective.
Environmental stress
Summer isn’t just heat. It’s heat, UV exposure, dust, pollution, and then suddenly cold, dry air indoors. Your skin is constantly adjusting.
This kind of back-and-forth can be tiring for the skin barrier. Sometimes what helps is not doing more, but just adding a bit of calm back into the routine – ingredients that cool, soothe, and don’t overwork the skin.
Using unsuitable products
Products that work well in cooler months may not be ideal for summer. Heavy creams can feel occlusive in humid weather, while overly drying formulations can strip the skin further. Summer calls for lighter, breathable textures that allow the skin to function comfortably. There’s also a growing preference for fresher, more thoughtfully processed formulations that retain ingredient efficacy while being gentle enough for frequent use.
The larger shift
A common thread across these habits is the tendency to overcorrect. Summer skincare is often approached with the goal of controlling oil, removing tan, or managing sweat. But healthy skin doesn’t come from constant stripping or aggressive treatments. It comes from balance.
When the skin barrier is intact, the skin is better equipped to regulate itself—whether that’s oil production, hydration, or sensitivity. This is where skincare routines are gradually evolving. There’s a shift towards approaches that are simpler, more consistent, and better aligned with both the climate and the skin’s natural functioning.
In many ways, summer skincare is less about doing more and more about doing it right. Small changes like choosing gentler cleansers, not skipping hydration, or being mindful of over-exfoliation can go a long way in protecting the skin barrier. Because once that barrier is strong, everything else tends to fall into place.
(Swagatika Das is the CEO & Co-Founder, Nat Habit)
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