6 Ways to Update Your Beauty Routine in the Summer

Summer is a time of year when it feels like anything can happen. After slogging through a long, seemingly never-ending winter, it's finally time to twirl around in the sun and try to put some sunshine in our pockets like we're Natasha Bedingfield, the queen of summer bops. While it's great that summertime has finally arrived, warm and shiny, there are probably a few things you should be doing before you head to the beach straight away. Your approach to hair, skin, and body care during the summertime should be a bit more in-depth than just remembering to pack sunscreen in your bag.

Before you pack for that first trip beach trip or sunny park picnic, you should get yourself prepped and ready for the season ahead. Keep reading to learn more about the updates you should make to your beauty routine in the summer, according to experts.

Brooke Jeffy, MD, is a Scottsdale-based board-certified dermatologist and founder of youth skin-care brand BTWN.

Jeanine Lobell is a makeup artist and founder of Neen and Stila Cosmetics.

George Papanikolas is a celebrity hairstylist and Matrix brand ambassador.

Nichelle Temple is a NYC-based aesthetician and owner of Inderma Studio.

While you're swapping out the winter clothes from your closet for your new summer wardrobe, consider doing the same with your skin care. That heavy, thick moisturizer you relied on in a dry winter can be swapped for a lightweight option, like the Tula 24-7 Moisture Hydrating Day & Night Gel Cream ($58). Of course, you want to also consider swapping out your everyday SPF. After all, it's the most important step in your routine. Yes, you should be wearing sunscreen year-round, but consider upping the protection you're getting now that you'll be outdoors more. "Revisit your sun protection strategy even though protection is a must year-round," dermatologist Brooke Jeffy tells PS. "Use at least SPF 30 every day on sun-exposed skin, reapplying every two hours if outdoors." She loves a powder SPF, like Brush on Block's Mineral Powder Sunscreen ($34) for midday touch-ups over makeup and for protecting your scalp (because yes, you should also be using a scalp SPF).

If you found yourself not using a retinol or retinoid because the winter made your skin too dry, Dr. Jeffy recommends restarting now. "If you had to stop or reduce your retinoid use due to irritation during the dry winter months, it is time to resume," she says. "Retinoids are second only to sunscreen in importance for reducing age-related skin changes." Just make sure to keep your skin protected during the daytime.

When you're sweating in the summer, you can either try to fight it or embrace the damp Britney Spears in "I'm A Slave 4 U" vibe — there is no in-between. For those who want to embrace the dewiness nature provides you (that's a nice way of saying humidity), makeup artist Jeanine Lobell recommends swapping a powder blush for cream blush for easy application (and reapplication) throughout the day. She loves the Neen Neen Going Rouge Cream Blush ($29). We're also fans of the Ami Colé Desert Date Cream Blush & Lip Multistick ($22), which is a multi-use product. She also recommends swapping your basic eyeliner pencil for a liquid eyeliner that's been smudged with a small eyeshadow brush.

The last thing you want in the summer is to add additional heat to your hair by way of hot tools. Celebrity hairstylist George Papanikolas suggests ditching your curling iron for air-drying your hair. "It reduces heat damage, keeping your hair healthier in the long run, and reduces unwanted frizz," he says. "It's a more natural approach, enhancing the texture and movement of your waves giving them soft touchable definition. Additionally, it saves time and energy, as you don't need to spend extra time styling with heat tools. Overall, it promotes healthier, more effortless-looking waves." That way you can spend less time styling your hair and more time outside.

Antioxidants, like vitamins C, E, and green tea extract, are known for "helping to protect the skin from external and internal stressors that can compromise the skin's health," aesthetician Nichelle Temple says. "Antioxidants can help protect the skin against free radical damage and improve overall skin health during the summer." While yes, you should still be using a stellar SPF, this will provide your skin with an extra layer of protection from sun-related damage when you're outside.

There's something so perfectly natural about adding a few highlights to your hair during the summer. For blonds, Papanikolas suggests swapping an all-over blond look for a balayage with a shadow root for a softer, more natural look with less noticeable regrowth. This makes maintenance easier.

"The shadow root adds depth and dimension, enhancing the overall texture and visual interest of your hair," he says. Balayage also allows for more customized placement of highlights, resulting in a more personalized, modern, and flattering appearance. For those with dark hair, he recommends trying out copper with strawberry-blond highlights for a refreshing change. "Adding strawberry-blond highlights can soften the overall look, creating tone-on-tone dimension and warmth," he says. "This combination can give your hair a more natural and vibrant appearance. The contrast between the copper base and strawberry-blond highlights adds visual interest and depth to your hair." Either way, it's important to keep your hair healthy and hydrated during this time, so adding a hair mask, like Matrix Food for Soft Mask ($42), can save hair that may have been in the pool a little bit too long.

Amanda Mitchell is a writer and podcaster with bylines at PS, Marie Claire, Oprah Daily, Allure, Byrdie, StyleCaster, Bon Appétit, and more. Formerly a senior beauty writer and stories creator at Refinery29, her work exists at the apex of beauty, pop culture, and absurdity.