How to Change Your Skincare Routine for Summer | Australia K-Beauty Advice

It’s no surprise that Australia is hot. We’re famous for it! And although there’s a ton of tips online on how to beat the heat, there’s not a lot of how to manage your skin health through these extremes. Online routines and products are typically designed for cooler weather, so how do you keep your skin in balance? Hot weather ultimately leads to increased sweat production, greasiness and lower skin pH; which means that oily skin types are at higher risk of outbreaks and dry skin types are more likely to appear dehydrated and dull.  

Not just that, but the really high UV index means that our skin is exposed to high risk of damage and burns. According to the Cancer Council Aus, just 15 minutes is enough to cause damage to our skin. And even if you aren’t that worried about skin cancer (although you should be!!), UV radiation is the number 1 cause of fine lines and wrinkles. In fact, it’s believed to account for up to 80% of visible signs of aging in humans! So, please follow as many guidelines as you can this summer to keep yourself (and your skin) safe. Always wear long sleeves, sunscreen, sit in the shade and keep yourself hydrated. 

If you are after those ‘glass skin’ goals, the number one thing you have to be doing is keeping hydrated. It sounds boring, but the visible effect it has on your skin can actually be amazing. Being well hydrated is actually most important for our outermost layer of skin, which will appear dull and sunken without enough water to function. This can exacerbate pore appearance and create a poor shine to skin. 

So, if you are after that plump, glassy effect – make sure you are drinking enough water throughout the day (especially if you are sweating or feeling hot). Not only will your body thank you, your skin will look refreshed and poreless. If you struggle drinking water straight, it’s ok to have a fun little drink now and again (such as electrolyte drinks, juice, water, tea), but make sure you are keeping things in balance. 

In the winter, thick and occlusive moisturizers are key to keeping your skin barrier sealed overnight and preventing water loss. During the summer, it’s better to pick up a lighter and fasting absorbing moisturizer that will give your skin the benefits without feeling heavy. 

For oily skin, putting heavier moisturizers on your skin will prevent your pores from being able to release dirt and sebum and will lead to blackheads or outbreaks. Switch to a lighter product if you can, ideally think of products that don’t leave a ‘residue’ feeling. Although these are great in the winter, these are more likely to seal in sweat and oils and create a nasty ‘grease’ feeling. Pick light products that let your skin breathe and allow sweat to evaporate.

My top recommendations involve light, but nourishing ingredients such as green tea, snail mucin, bamboo or hyaluronic acid.

1. Purito Seoul Oat-In Calming Gel Cream 
2. Jumiso Waterfull Hyaluronic Cream 
3. Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel 
 
With my oily skin, I tend to barely use a moisturizer at all on hot days and just use a snail mucin essence to hydrate and refresh skin for a glassy finish (such as the KSECRET Snail mucin essence with rice). 

For dry skin types, you can opt for a lighter moisturizer but having a seal is alright to keep your skin barrier healthy. 

Dry skin is more likely to see flaking and redness in hot weather, so keep picking soothing ingredients such as aloe vera, centella or panthenol.

1. Purito Seoul Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream 
2. Medicube PDRN Pink Hyaluronic Moisturizing Cream 
3. TIRTIR Matcha Calming Cream

It’s important to keep your body cool throughout the day to prevent irritation and redness. Be sure to secure shade, use fans and time your day to avoid being outside in the hottest parts. If you’re on the go and have no time to cool down, there’s still a couple tools you can use. Fill a misting bottle with water and gently spritz your face on the go to help provide moisture to evaporate heat. If you have oily skin, keep a cool towel with you to gently blot away excess oils and keep your pores clear.

If you use make-up and are worried about ruining your flawless look, buy a mist serum that lightly settles on top of make-up to maintain moisture and cool skin, without causing running or blurring. For a dewy finish, pick up a jelly mist, which infuses ceramides and hydrating agents without disturbing your natural glamour.

1. Medicube Kojic Acid Turmeric Vita Jelly Mist Serum 
2. Dr Althea Aqua Marine Jelly Mist 
3. Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Cloudy Mist 

A mist serum also contains active ingredients that can help refresh dark spots, protect against UV damage and infuse deep hydration. 

After the best way to cool down this summer? Hit the water! Whether it's the beach, a local creek, swimming pool or even just filling your tub at home with cool water (and bubbles!), it's an awesome way to relax and enjoy the summer. 

You know that wrinkly skin you get when you’ve been swimming too long and your mum would say it shows it’s time to get out of the pool? That’s actually a response of your nervous system to water, constricting the vessels in your fingertips and toes to improve grip underwater. So, your mum was wrong – and swimming for a couple hours actually isn’t at all bad for your skin. You can get irritation or damage for long periods in chlorinated water, but this is minimised by washing thoroughly after you get out of the pool and by doing after-swim skincare. 

After swimming in whatever water, always be sure to rinse off your skin. Using a gentle, foaming soap is great (especially after a chlorine swim) to get irritants off your skin. Dry and follow up with an all-body moisturizer (preferably rich in ceramides or shea butter) or a pot of aloe vera gel, to get your skin refreshed again. 

If you swim often or daily, be sure to add a hydrating serum to your routine to prevent flaking or redness from activity. Bonus points if the serum has a boost of vitamin C, which not only improves your skin’s natural protection from UV radiation, but also helps reduce sun spots and stress. 

Here’s our picks for the best summer serums to get your skin hydrated and radiant:

1. Beauty of Joseon Light On Serum Centella + Vita C 
For a touch of radiance, protection and gentle hydration – this refreshing serum is perfect night and day. 
2. Numbuzin No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum 
If you are struggling with sun spots or pigmentation, this deeply refreshing serum offers a deep treatment and gives an unparalleled glow. Infused with bilberry extract to hydrate. 
3. KSECRET Glow Serum: Niacinamide 15% + Yuja 
If you want to work on your summer shine, whilst improving UV protection, this serum is designed to be deeply restorative. Balanced with boosting macadamia. 
4. Elizavecca Hyaluronic Acid Pure 100 
After that plumping hydration without the nonsense? This serum is strictly 10% pure hyaluronic acid mixed into a light, serum mixture. No additives, just deep hydration.

In summer it’s vital to wear daily protection wherever you can. The best thing to wear is full sun cover; remember your hats, long sleeves, gloves, scarves. You can get some great breathable material that helps keep the sun off your skin without adding to the heat. Keep out of the sun during peak hours, keep to the shade where possible and re-apply sunscreen every two hours (especially when swimming or active).

It’s important to recognise the limitations of different sunscreens too! A lot of K-Beauty sunscreens are designed for cosmetic use, which means although they provide great protection on an average day, they don’t hold up as well when sweating and swimming. Remember to pick water-resistant sunscreen when heading in the water and reapply often when you can.  

Mineral sunscreens are often a better pick if you are swimming, as they are less likely to break down in water and last longer than chemical sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens provide stronger protection, however, if you are out of the water and doing your day-to-day activities (so pick your sunscreen with care). 

Here are our picks for our favourite casual summer sunscreens; that are safe for your beach day and will keep your skin cool and protected: 

1. Best Mineral Sunscreen 
Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Pure Mineral Sunscreen 
2. Best Sunscreen for Acne/Oily Skin 
Medicube Zero Pore Moisture Sun Serum 
3. Best Sunscreen for Hyperpigmentation 
Jumiso Niacinamide 3+ Tone-Up Sunscreen 
4. Best Sunscreen for Daily Use 
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics

Summer is a great time of year to enjoy, relieve stress and just kick back until 2026. Remember to have all the fun possible, whilst being sunsafe everyday, so you can look just as good for years to come.

Looking for exciting products to keep you cool, moisturized and in your lane? Check out our amazing deals over the summer so you can keep looking this good.

Want more skincare tips? Check out our guide to applying sunscreen properly so you can be sunsafe and cute. Or check out our guide to the top eye-creams to keep looking bright.

Guide to Summer Sunscreen Application 

Top Eye-Creams in K-beauty