Summer Skin Mistakes You're Probably Making

Every September I see the same thing.

Clients come in and their skin has gone backwards. The progress we made in spring — the evenness, the glow, the texture improvements — is partially undone.

And almost every time, it comes down to the same handful of mistakes.

Here they are. Save this post. Share it with someone who needs it.

Mistake #1: Thinking SPF 30 is enough

It's not.

SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays. Sounds good until you realize SPF 50 blocks 98%. That 1% difference sounds small. But when you're in LA sun for hours, that gap adds up — especially on skin that's had treatments.

We recommend SPF 50, broad spectrum, every single morning. Reapply every two hours if you're outside.

And if you're prone to melasma — tinted SPF only. The iron oxides in tinted formulas block visible light, which is a separate trigger that regular SPF completely misses.

Mistake #2: Skipping sunscreen on cloudy days.

Clouds block heat. They do not block UV.

Up to 80% of UV rays pass straight through cloud cover. This is one of the sneakiest ways people accumulate sun damage without realizing it.

Overcast day in July? Still SPF 50. No exceptions.

Mistake #3: Forgetting that pools and ocean water affect your skin barrier.

Chlorine strips your skin's natural oils and disrupts the skin barrier. Salt water does the same thing — it dehydrates the surface and can leave skin tight, flaky, and reactive.

After swimming, rinse with fresh water immediately. Follow with a gentle cleanser and a good moisturizer. Don't let chlorine or salt sit on your skin for hours.

If you're swimming regularly this summer, your barrier needs more support than usual. This is the time to add a ceramide-based moisturizer to your routine.

Mistake #4: Using the same heavy moisturizer year-round.

In winter your skin needs heavier occlusive moisturizers to prevent moisture loss in cold, dry air.

In summer? That same heavy cream sits on top of your skin, mixes with sweat and sunscreen, and clogs your pores.

Switch to a lighter gel-based or water-based moisturizer in summer. Your skin still needs hydration — just in a formula that won't suffocate it in the heat.

Mistake #5: Thinking you can just pause treatments for the summer.

This one frustrates me the most.

The solution isn't to stop. It's to be smart about timing and aftercare.

Microneedling requires 3 days of careful sun avoidance after your session — plan around your calendar and you can absolutely stay on schedule.

Laser facials on the face require 2 weeks of sun avoidance before your session and 2 weeks after. SPF alone is not enough. If you've had significant sun exposure recently, we'll need to reschedule.

Laser hair removal on covered areas — underarms, bikini, Brazilian — can be done year-round. But even covered areas need protection. If you're spending the day at the pool or beach, be mindful. Sun exposure affects your skin overall, not just the area being treated.

For exposed areas like legs, arms, and face — you need 2 weeks of no sun exposure before your session AND 2 weeks after. SPF alone is not enough.

The clients who maintain their treatment schedule through summer and protect their skin diligently come out of September looking dramatically better than those who took the season off.

Mistake #6: Confusing dehydration with dryness.

Dehydrated skin lacks water. Dry skin lacks oil. They feel similar but they need different solutions.

In summer heat, most people are dealing with dehydration — not dryness. The fix is hyaluronic acid and water-based hydrators, not heavier creams.

Applying a hyaluronic acid serum to damp skin before moisturizer makes a real difference in how your skin looks and feels.

The honest summary:

Summer doesn't have to undo your progress. It just requires a little more intention than other seasons.

SPF every day. Rinse after swimming. Lighten your moisturizer. Stay on your treatment schedule. Hydrate properly.

Simple. Consistent. Your skin will show it in September.

— Sharona

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