The Complete Guide to Summer Skin Health: Cleansing, SPF & Nutritional Support
Learn how to support your summer skin barrier and properly remove sunscreen, sweat, and pollution without over-cleansing. Plus, discover nutritional tips to nourish your skin from the inside out.
If your skin feels extra reactive, congested, or just... confused come summer, you're not imagining things. Between layers of SPF, sweat, pollution, and more potent UV exposure (thanks, global warming), our skin is working overtime. Even with all the right protections in place, many of us are left wondering: Why doesn’t my skin look or feel better despite my efforts?
The answer might be simpler than you think—and no, it’s not a complicated 10-step routine. In fact, we’re suggesting you give your skin a summer vacation from all the extras and give it a chance to rest and rebuild. Let’s start with one of the most overlooked yet foundational steps in your skincare: how to remove sunscreen without stripping your skin. It all comes down to smart, barrier-supportive cleansing.
Why Cleansing Deserves More Respect in Summer
Cleansing often gets treated like the opening act—rushed, mechanical, and uninspired. But in summer, your cleanser can actually be the difference between glowing skin and a dull, irritated complexion. Think about it: SPF (especially mineral ones), waterproof makeup, and sweat mix with urban pollution to create a kind of surface-level sludge. If you don’t dissolve that properly, it builds up. Cue clogged pores, congestion, breakouts, and that “my skin can’t breathe” feeling.
Which brings us to one of the most transformative shifts you can make in your summer skincare routine:
Oil Cleansing: Your Summer Skin Hero
Unlike traditional gel or foaming cleansers, oil-based cleansers are uniquely effective at breaking down SPF, makeup (especially waterproof formulas), and sebum—without stripping your skin’s natural moisture barrier. Oil attracts oil, and this like-dissolves-like science is gentle yet thorough. It gets everything off, while keeping your microbiome intact.
But there’s another reason we love oil cleansing—and it has nothing to do with what’s on your face.
Face Massage = Lymphatic Drainage + Acupressure + Nervous System Reset
A proper oil cleanse forces you to slow down. You can’t rush through it—and that’s a gift.
Taking two full minutes to massage your face isn’t just skincare, it’s a mini ritual. According to TEAM (The Eastern Arts of Medicine), the act of gently working your fingertips along your jawline, under your cheekbones, across your brows, and down your neck stimulates lymphatic drainage, supports circulation, and even hits acupressure points connected to digestion, stress relief, and hormonal balance.
Translation: you’re not just cleaning your face—you’re calming your whole nervous system. You’re flushing stagnation. You’re inviting your body to exhale. And the best part? You’re doing it every evening.
Our Go-To Summer Cleansing Recs
Whether you prefer the silky slip of an oil or the cushion of a balm, here are some of our tried-and-true favorites that help support your skin barrier during summer:
Oil & Balm Cleansers
Laurel Skin Deep Clarity Oil Cleanser – A standout for its minimal, plant-forward formula and its use of California-sourced safflower oil, which is rich in linoleic acid—a fatty acid known for helping to reduce inflammation and support compromised barriers. This cleanser roots out pore congestion, and eliminates puffiness and stagnation.
Oak Essentials Cleansing Balm – A soft, nourishing balm that also layers beautifully into a facial massage ritual. If scent is a dealbreaker, this one’s fragrance is subtle but grounding. Also featuring safflower oil, this balm leaves a light layer of hydration on the skin.
Pro tip: Pick your formula based on mood. Oil is great if you want something light and fluid; balm if you crave something creamy and cocooning.
Don’t Forget the Washcloth
A soft, damp washcloth is the secret to fully removing your cleanser (and all that grime it pulled up). We love Casaluna’s washcloths at Target—muslin cloths that are affordable and gentle enough for daily use.
For the Shower: Nuori Foaming Cleanser
If you love cleansing in the shower, Nuori’s Foaming Cleanser is a refreshing, delicate option that removes everything (even layers of waterproof mascara) without making your skin feel tight. It’s lightly scented, leaves skin soft, and pairs beautifully with a second cleanse if you’re a double-cleansing devotee.
The Body Needs Love Too: Exfoliate, Cleanse, and Protect
SPF, sweat, and heat don’t just affect your face. Your body—especially your back and shoulders—can easily become congested, itchy, or prone to breakouts in summer. Here's how to keep things smooth and happy:
Dry Brushing = Gentle Daily Exfoliation
In the morning, before you shower, take a few minutes to dry brush your body with short strokes toward the heart. It boosts circulation, supports lymphatic flow, and removes dead skin—creating a smoother surface for SPF application and better product absorption.
We recommend a natural-bristle brush with a long handle. You’ll feel energized and refreshed, and your skin will be silky smooth.
In the Shower
Awaken Body Wash – A non-stripping, subtly scented body cleanser that detoxifies without drying. Think of it as skincare for your body.
Use a natural fiber washcloth or back scrubber in the shower to gently exfoliate and make sure sunscreen and sweat are fully rinsed away—especially from that hard-to-reach spot between your shoulder blades.
Once your skin is truly clean (we’re talking post-oil-cleanse, SPF-free, no-residue clean), your next step is to nourish and protect — but without overdoing it. In summer, less is often more. Your skin is already navigating UV, heat, and environmental stress, so loading up on multiple serums can tip the balance. Instead, we recommend a few carefully chosen formulas that restore hydration, repair damage, and strengthen your skin’s natural defenses.
Rebalance + Lock In Hydration
After cleansing, your skin is most absorbent — and most vulnerable. This is the moment to restore hydration and set the stage for whatever comes next. We love Marie Veronique’s Balancing Hypotonic for this exact step.
Unlike traditional toners (which can be drying or overly acidic), this formula is built to support your skin’s microbiome and hold onto water — not strip it away. Its key ingredients include:
From their website, “Our biomimetic design has produced a one-of-a-kind tonic, composed of humectants with distinctive similarity to the skin’s lamellar structure. Since maintaining lamellar membrane integrity also protects the contents of the skin cells, the tonic not only promotes liquid/lipid balances, it also restores and improves overall barrier function.”
Think of it as a post-cleanse primer for your skin barrier — one that encourages hydration to stay put, rather than evaporating off. We recommend applying it with a reusable cotton round, gently pressing or sweeping it across your face. You’ll feel the difference immediately.
PS: If you’re looking for a hydrating mist you can use throughout the day (especially in dry climates or air-conditioned spaces), we also love the Evan Healy Rose Hydrosol, which we featured in this post on summer hydration rituals (← link to your earlier blog here!).
Nourish + Repair with the Sun-Loving Repair Duo
Before any mist or cream, we like to press in a few drops of Laurel Skin’s Sun-Loving Repair Oil to the face, and smooth the Sun Body Oil across shoulders, arms, and décolleté — all those areas that soak up the most sun. These oils are part of Laurel’s Sun-Loving Repair Duo, a set that feels like a warm-weather ritual in a bottle.
SUN SERUM Phyto Defense + Repair
More than just an oil, this is a treatment serum and moisturizer in one. Whole plants like Red Raspberry, Rosehip, and Red Grape are blended to deliver antioxidants (resveratrol, flavonoids, carotenoids) and essential fatty acids that help prevent UV damage while working to repair signs of sun stress.
The texture is silky, never greasy, and absorbs beautifully — especially after cleansing. If you’re using a hydrating SPF afterward (like Dew Skin), you may find that this oil is enough for daytime. In the evening, you can layer on a cream for added repair.SUN BODY OIL Phyto Defense + Repair
Think of this as a summer body serum: deeply nourishing but light enough to wear daily. It’s packed with ingredients like Red Raspberry, Olive Oil, Coconut, and calming aromatics including Ylang Ylang, Frankincense, and Roman Chamomile. The scent is floral and grounded — not overpowering — and the skin finish is golden, hydrated, and smooth.
Soothe + Strengthen: More Grape less Raisin with Adipeau Volume Cream
To finish with the moisture step, layer on Adipeau Volume Cream. It’s light enough for summer but powerful enough to support deeper regeneration — a great option to layer after your oil if your skin needs more, or to use solo at night if you went lighter during the day. This barrier-focused formula includes safflower oil (rich in linoleic acid), growth factor peptides, and soothing botanicals that help skin bounce back from sun exposure, dehydration, and heat-related stress.
Finish Strong: Mineral SPF That Loves Your Skin (and the Ocean)
We’re all about mineral sunscreens—they sit on top of the skin (rather than being absorbed) and physically block UVA/UVB rays. These formulas tend to be gentler on sensitive skin, and many come with added skincare benefits that nourish while they protect. Bonus: they’re reef-safe, making them a win for your skin and the planet.
Here are our go-to SPF picks for face and body that won’t leave your skin suffocating. And remember—once these protective layers have done their job, it’s just as important to remove them properly to keep your skin clear, calm, and glowing.
Why mineral? In addition to being gentler on sensitive skin and better for barrier health, mineral SPFs—formulated with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide—sit on top of the skin to reflect UV rays, rather than being absorbed. They’re also reef-safe, which means they won’t contribute to coral bleaching or marine toxicity. In fact, Hawaii has banned the sale of chemical sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate due to their harmful effects on coral reefs.
Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, can generate heat in the skin (potentially increasing inflammation), and several commonly used ingredients have been shown to enter the bloodstream—with ongoing studies exploring their potential hormone-disrupting effects. That’s why we always reach for mineral-first formulas when it comes to summer sun protection.
For Face
ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Mineral SPF – Dermatologist favorite for good reason. This ultra-light, zinc-based fluid not only protects against UVA/UVB rays but includes DNA-repair enzymes to help reverse sun damage. It dries quickly with no white cast, even on deeper skin tones.
Beautycounter Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 – For those low-key summer days when you want hydration, a bit of glow, and sun protection all in one. It’s sheer, breathable, and holds up on a beach day or just a quick run around town.
For Body
Pipette SPF 50 – Formulated for the most sensitive skin. A great whole family option. Their 3oz tube is perfect for a family weekend getaway.
Native Mineral Sunscreen SPF – Comes in delicious scents like coconut & pineapple if you like to really smell like a beach vacation.
Summer Skin Saviors: The Ultimate Anti-Inflammatory Lineup
Summer skin needs calming ingredients to counteract the heat, UV, and environmental aggressors. These are the soothing botanical and bioactive powerhouses we look for in our skincare.
Calendula, Chamomile, and Lavender – These classic skin-soothers are beloved for their ability to calm redness, support wound healing, and reduce sensitivity. Their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties make them perfect for compromised or overheated skin. All three shine in Laurel Skin’s botanical formulas, which are sourced from small California farms to ensure maximum potency and purity.
Niacinamide + Prebiotics – Niacinamide (vitamin B3) helps reduce inflammation, minimize pore appearance, and strengthen the skin barrier, while prebiotics feed your microbiome and balance oil production. This powerful pair comes together in Marie Veronique’s Balancing Hypotonic.
Safflower Oil + Growth Factor Peptides – Safflower oil is a lightweight, linoleic acid–rich plant oil known for its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to support skin barrier repair—especially for breakout-prone or depleted skin. Find it in all of the skincare we’ve highlighted today. It really is a summer skin superstar ingredient.
Nourish Your Skin from the Inside Out
Topical care is vital, but true skin health begins within. Summer’s abundance of fresh, nutrient-dense foods provides an incredible opportunity to support your skin from the inside—helping it stay resilient, hydrated, and protected from environmental stressors.
Here are some of our favorite internal skin-support powerhouses:
Lycopene — This potent antioxidant is abundant in summer favorites like tomatoes, watermelon, and pink grapefruit. Studies show lycopene can improve your skin’s natural defense against UV damage and reduce redness, working synergistically with your sunscreen.
Sea Vegetables — Nutrient-dense seaweeds and kelp are loaded with minerals and antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress and promote healthy skin metabolism.
Astaxanthin — A powerful carotenoid found in algae and seafood, astaxanthin supports skin elasticity and guards against UV-induced aging.
Cod Liver Oil, Flax & Chia Seeds — Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, these foods help strengthen your skin barrier and lower inflammation, keeping your skin soft and supple through summer’s challenges.
One supplement that checks off most of these categories is The Omega from Cymbiotika. For a holistic approach, pair summer season foods with your summer hydration routine (check out our [hydration post]) and topical rituals for skin that glows inside and out.
Wrapping Up Your Summer Skin Journey
Summer skin health is a beautiful balance of protection, nourishment, and mindful rituals—both on the surface and from within. By choosing gentle, effective cleansing methods, applying reef-safe mineral SPF, and fueling your body with skin-loving nutrients, you’re giving your skin everything it needs to thrive through the sunniest season. Remember, it’s not about chasing perfection but embracing presence and care. Here’s to radiant, resilient summer skin that feels as good as it looks.