There are two types of people in the world: Those who stick to the same skincare routine 365 days out of the year, and those who transition their lineup to suit the seasons. While most of us at the Miracle 10 office fall under the latter, the core products in a well-crafted skincare routine should work for you all year long. Targeting concerns, boosting hydration, and protecting the skin from environmental factors are the fundamentals of building a good regime. But as the seasons change, you may find yourself seeking a few extras to help give your complexion a little boost.
The medical aestheticians at MD Beauty Clinic spend their summers under the same sun as us, and yet somehow, their glow seems a bit brighter than the rest of us. And while it might appear as if skincare professionals have naturally glowing skin, the truth is that they just know how to adapt to their environment. The trick? They make their routine work harder for them. That's why we spoke to the skincare experts over at MD Beauty Clinic to help steer us in the right direction this summer.
Vitamin C in the AM
Being in the skincare industry for more than 15 years, medical aestheticians Olga and Dorota have taught many patients the importance of protecting the skin from UV rays. That's why they reach for the antioxidant power of vitamin C to get the job done.
"We see a lot of patients using Super C in the evening, and while that has many benefactors, in the hot months, we recommend mixing Super C with Moisture or your favourite moisturizer and applying it in the morning for extra sun protection."
Even if you only dabble in skin care, you’ve likely heard vitamin C touted as a beneficial skincare ingredient. And rightfully so! When applied correctly, vitamin C is proven to help reduce signs of ageing. Our Super C is 100% L-ascorbic acid and known to increase collagen production while protecting the skin against UV damage with its low sun protection factor. Uneven skin tone, rough texture, fine lines, acne scars, sun spots — you can name just about any common complexion concern and there's a good chance that Super C is a recommended treatment!
Cleanser: To switch or to stay?
Dealing with a flare-up? Medical aesthetician Alena explained that a common cause of irritation may be a result of over-exfoliation or dehydration (both of which can still occur in the summer), and it may have something to do with your face wash. By now you should know that skincare isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. In the past, you may have read that gentler cleansers are for winter months and gel cleansers are for summer months—this may be furthest from the truth!
"During the colder months, we'll often recommend a gentler cleanser to avoid the over-stripping of your natural oils. When summer comes around, you may feel like you need to swap your cleanser for something more serious but only if you actually need it! A more lightweight option like Cleanser I or Platinum Cleanser is still an excellent cleanser to wash away the sweat of the day but still improve hydration."
For our dry-skinned glow getters, stick to a gentle wash year-round. Dealing with oily or acne-prone tendencies due to excess sweat? Reach for Cleanser II to get a more thorough cleanse throughout the hot, sticky months. You do you!
Skip the 10-step routine
To our local glow getters, you already know what's up 💁♀ If you've ever frequented the Toronto MD Beauty Clinic location then you're already familiar with the wise words of medical aesthetician Marine: Less is more!
"In the dry season, we always recommend layering products to make sure your skin is getting everything that it needs. But in the summer, stick to your basics: cleanser, exfoliator, moisturizer, sunscreen and 1 booster."
We're all for layering skincare and rocking the glazed donut look, but the humidity in the air says otherwise. In fact, it could even cause unwanted breakouts. Too much of a good thing isn't always better, and during the summer, the simplest routines can often provide optimal results. Just like the seasons, our complexions are set to change course at any moment. We always recommend reassessing your skin at the start of a seasonal shift to update your skincare routine accordingly.
SPF, SPF, SPF!
If there is one product that each one of the medical aestheticians at MD Beauty Clinic swears by, it's sunscreen.
"Your skincare routine means nothing without a minimum of SPF 30 at all times. Applying every 2 hours every day - even indoors - will help to protect the skin from UV rays and sun damage."
If you could only choose one product to keep in your routine year-round, let it be your favourite SPF. Right now, we're loving our Sunscreen Lotion SPF 45 because it adds a born-with-it glow to the skin while providing a broad-spectrum UVA and UVB shield to safeguard the skin against sun damage. Regardless of your skin type, texture or tone, everyone benefits from incorporating a sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor of 30. We like to recommend applying your SPF on cleansed skin, before your moisturizer, for a hydrated and protected complexion.