There’s nothing better than the warm sun on your skin during summer, spending time at the beach swimming and enjoying plenty of time outdoors. But skin actually loses a lot of hydration during the warmer months, due largely in part to the range of environments its exposed to. Heat, air conditioning, sun exposure, saltwater, chlorine, and sunburn are all contributing factors to loss of moisture in the skin. No matter what your skin type is, chances are it will need a bit of extra hydration over summer!

The first step to great skin hydration is water, and not just swimming in it! Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Besides contributing to your overall health, a high water intake will help you replenish your electrolytes, so make sure you’re drinking at least eight glasses of water a day. Remember to avoid sugary sports drinks – if you want to change up ordinary water, try adding coconut water to the mix to give your skin the hydration it needs every day. Your skin will also be clearer and more radiant thanks to all that water.

Spending time outdoors is a given during the warmer months, so it’s important to properly cleanse, exfoliate and moisturise often. While many people focus their step-by-step skincare routine on their face, remember that your body needs the same attention, especially during summer. Make sure you’re devoting time to properly cleanse and exfoliate your whole body – a great way to exfoliate your arms and legs is to do some gentle dry brushing once or twice a week, followed by nourishing those areas of the skin with a body moisturiser to recoup any loss of hydration your skin has gone through during the week. After showering, a body oil gently applied to the arms and legs will also lock in loads of moisture as well as feeling beautifully luxurious.

Night time is ideal to use as your skin’s recovery time. Once you’ve properly cleansed and exfoliated your face, indulge in a hydrating sheet mask or invest in a serum that’s loaded with hydration. A hyaluronic acid serum locks in moisture and can adjust how much moisture your skin absorbs, and can be applied before using your night time moisturiser, which will have a thicker consistency. Vitamin B5 is also beneficial for keeping skin hydrated because it attracts and retains moisture in the skin, while also protecting and enhancing the skin’s own natural repair process. Adding these ingredients into your skincare routine will help keep your skin’s hydration in check.

There are so many factors that can contribute to your skin losing hydration during the warm weather, from heat and sun to cold air conditioning indoors. Boost your water intake, make sure you’re properly moisturising after you cleanse and exfoliate, and incorporate some hydration boosting serums into your skincare routine and your skin will be dewy, fresh and well hydrated all summer long.