Summer Skincare Tips From a Chanel Dermatologist

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from years of swapping out sweaters for bikinis every June, it’s that your skincare routine needs a summer makeover just as badly as your closet does. Once the temps rise and the UV index hits 10, your winter holy grails won’t cut it anymore. The rich cream that kept your skin balanced and happy in January isn’t exactly built for heat, humidity, and nonstop SPF reapplication. Summer skincare plays by a whole different set of rules—think lightweight layers, lasting hydration, and serious sun protection. Moral of the story? Adjusting your routine accordingly can make all the difference.

To get the scoop on what our skin needs to thrive this time of year, I had the pleasure of chatting with Amy Wechsler, MD, the consulting dermatologist at Chanel. Her take? If you use only one skincare product this summer, it should be sunscreen—no questions asked. We all know this, but there’s a catch: It’s not enough to swipe sunscreen on once in the morning and call it a day. That’s the biggest slip-up Wechsler sees, and it can seriously backfire on your skin. If you want to keep your skin gorgeous and dodge the horrors of sun damage, you should reapply sunscreen every two to four hours, especially after sweating or swimming.