As much as the sun is a healthy source for energizing your body and mind, it can also be a source of severe damage with too much exposure. Whether you’re dealing with a sunburn, clogged pores, hyper-pigmentation, or you simply want to restore your glow, the right summer skincare routine makes all the difference. In this article I’ll share a great routine that you can follow, as well as detailed advice on how to treat sun damaged skin, including the best natural products for healthy glowing skin late into the summer months.
Before we dive in, here’s a video where I walk through my late summer skincare essentials. In it, I share practical tips and product recommendations to help repair sun damage, keep skin clear, and maintain a radiant glow as the season shifts. Watch the video below, then keep reading for a step-by-step breakdown of the full routine.
Repairing: How to Treat Sun Damaged Skin
Too much sun can leave skin dehydrated, irritated, or even burned. If you’re looking for how to treat a sun damaged face or body, the first step is soothing and hydrating the skin, and the best methods are tried and true natural treatments.
Step One: Cool it Down
After a long day in the sun, take a cool shower or apply a cold compress to reduce inflammation. This will help not only your skin, it will help your whole body as sun exposure in the heat can be very dehydrating. Focus on areas that received direct exposure first.
Step Two: Soothe with Aloe Vera
Pure aloe vera gel is a classic sunburn treatment for a reason. It helps calm, hydrate, and refresh your skin for hours after application. It will help cool your skin, so you can use it in a pinch if you’re not able to get to a shower quickly from step one.
Step Three: Replenish Moisture
Lastly, follow with nourishing oils like coconut oil to lock in hydration and support skin recovery. For sunburns, only follow this step once you’ve start to see your skin repair from the aloe vera gel.
For severe burns with blistering or pain, always seek medical attention. For milder sun damage, a consistent aftercare routine helps minimize long-term effects.
Cleansing: Exfoliate for Fresh, Clear Skin
Heat, sweat, SPF, and pollution can build up quickly in the summer months, especially if you’re not cleansing regularly. Without proper cleansing, pores can appear larger, and skin may feel congested. Consistent exfoliation keeps the complexion looking polished, balanced, and prepped for hydration. Follow these steps below to help restore balance to your skin.
Double Cleanse at Night
Start with an oil-based cleanser to break down SPF and impurities, then follow with a gentle exfoliant to sweep away dead skin cells.
Exfoliate Regularly
Salt scrubs or daily exfoliating cleansers help reveal fresh skin and allow serums and moisturizers to absorb more effectively. Exfoliating is a critical step as it allows for the natural regeneration of your skin.
Think Beyond the Skin
Salt scrubs not only brighten and smooth the skin but also have an uplifting, refreshing effect that many find energizing as salt has beneficial effects for your aura.
Protecting: Shielding Skin with SPF
If there’s one non-negotiable step in a summer skincare routine, it’s daily SPF. Sun exposure is the leading cause of premature aging, pigmentation, and long-term skin damage. I’ve got some tips below for finding natural SPF products that don’t leave lasting residue that often disrupts skin’s natural oils.
Choose Clean Formulas
Look for mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide for broad-spectrum protection without harsh chemicals. We carry Elta MD’s line of SPF products that I personally recommend, they are transparent about their formulas as they use only natural ingredients. They offer tinted and non-tined formulas. A lightweight, non-comedogenic SPF lotion is ideal for both face and body, keeping your skin safe while still allowing it to breathe.
Reapply Often
Especially during peak sun hours, reapply every two hours, or more frequently if swimming or sweating. When you’re using natural products you won’t get that cakey, flakey feeling that many chemical-based SPF products have.
For Dehydrated Skin
For dehydrated skin after sun exposure, it’s important to provide consistent hydration to create a glowing sun kissed look. The Collagen Hydrator from PCA is a great option as infuses antioxidants into the skin while firming and hydrating the skin.
Don’t Forget the Lips
The skin on your lips is thinner and more vulnerable to burns. A lip balm with SPF can prevent painful sun damage. I recommend the Overnight Lip Mask with vitamin E, as it does a great job keeping the lips hydrated after sun exposure.
Glowing: Boosting Skin with Targeted Serums
Once your skin is repaired, cleansed, and protected, the final step is restoring that luminous, youthful glow. Serums are powerhouse products designed to target concerns like hydration and pigmentation. Below are some serums I recommend.
PCA Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum
This deeply hydrating serum delivers both immediate and long-lasting results. It provides multi-level hydration: hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate lock in surface moisture, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid penetrates deeper to plump and smooth, and the HA-Pro Complex™ encourages the skin to produce its own hyaluronic acid for lasting hydration. Ceramides and niacinamide strengthen the skin barrier, helping skin stay supple and resilient. The result is smoother texture, plumped fine lines, and a stronger, healthier skin barrier.
PCA Vitamin B3 Brightening Serum
This multitasking brightening serum is powered by niacinamide (vitamin B3) to strengthen the skin barrier, reduce redness, and minimize moisture loss. It’s enhanced with mulberry and green tea extracts, oligopeptide-51, and plankton extract to help fade dark spots, reduce glycation-related skin yellowing, and promote a more even, radiant complexion. Skin looks brighter, calmer, and more refined with consistent use.
Advanced Vitamin C & E
This serum helps restore a radiant glow after sun damage by brightening and evening skin tone while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. With a potent blend of 20% Vitamin C and 5% Vitamin E, this serum delivers powerful antioxidant protection, shielding skin from free radicals and environmental stressors. Its stable, high-potency formula ensures long-lasting results, leaving your complexion refreshed and glowing.
Cocktailing these serums together can amplify their benefits, leaving skin radiant and resilient. Follow up these serums with the Collagen Hydrator from PCA for moisturizing and finish with a natural SPF to protect your skin daily.
Feel Revitalized this Summer with the Right Skincare Routine
Late summer is the perfect time to show your skin some extra care. By repairing damage, cleansing thoroughly, protecting with SPF, and enhancing with glow-boosting serums, you’ll not only treat existing concerns but also prepare your skin for the seasons ahead.
Investing in your skincare isn’t about vanity, it’s about self-care and long-term skin health. With mindful habits and the right products, you can enjoy the sun while keeping your skin looking fresh, youthful, and radiant.
I hope you have a wonderful August, and stay cool during these hot summer days.
– Julie ☀️