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Your skin doesn’t get a summer break. In fact, the heat combined with time you spend having fun outdoors exposes it to more external stress, forcing its defence, repair and regenerative mechanisms to work harder to maintain a healthy balance. The good news is that you can help your skin do more than survive… You can help it thrive with a thoughtful defence, repair and youth-activation strategy.

Why your skin works harder in summer

Time for a little skin biology lesson:

✅ UV exposure increases: There’s no such thing as 100 % sunblock. Even with an SPF 50+ sunscreen and other good sun-protection habits, some UV radiation still reaches the skin. That tan you’re acquiring (gradually, we hope!) is your body’s attempt to shield skin-cell DNA from damage by producing more melanin in response to UVB rays hitting the outer layer (epidermis) [1]. 

But you’ll get sunburn if you overdo your exposure, with inflammation causing redness, swelling and heat. And when you peel, that means the damage is severe and those skin cells are sacrificed (i.e., they die off and peel away) [1].

UVA rays penetrate more deeply into the skin, reaching the dermis. They trigger oxidative stress by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS aka free radicals), which can damage DNA, cause collagen breakdown and inflammation. Over time this contributes to hyperpigmentation and accelerated skin ageing [1]. 

Your skin's response? Its natural antioxidant defences and repair systems – including enzymes, barrier lipids, and NAD+-dependent pathways – ramp up to neutralise damage and restore balance [1].

✅ Heat and sweat disrupt the skin barrier: Excessive sweating, especially during heat waves, can weaken the skin’s natural barrier, leading to irritation and inflammation. This can aggravate conditions like eczema by causing dehydration and making the skin more susceptible to flare-ups [2].

Meanwhile, prolonged thermal exposure – whether from heat or infrared radiation – can coarsen the skin’s surface and damage elastin fibres in deeper layers, accelerating loss of firmness and resilience [3][4][5].

Your skin’s response? It works harder to restore balance by increasing lipid production, ramping up inflammation control, and activating repair pathways, but without support, barrier function remains compromised.

✅ Free-radical load rises: Sun, heat and pollution increase ROS production. These free radicals damage cells, deplete antioxidants, and accelerate skin ageing [6][7].

Your skin’s response? Your skin fights back by activating natural defences – like antioxidants such as glutathione and catalase, along with NAD⁺-driven energy and repair systems – to neutralise damage. 

✅ Increased cell turnover demand: UV and heat stress damage skin cells, prompting increased cell turnover to replace them [8].

Your skin’s response? Increased cell turnover as it tries to shed damaged cells and renew itself.

Summer skin strategy: Day vs Night support

To help your skin cope (and thrive), think in two phases:
Defence by Day
Repair and Regeneration by Night

Your skin’s daytime actions: STRENGTHEN DEFENCE

Image: RDNE Stock. Pexels.com

Daytime is all about shielding skin from UV, pollutants, heat and oxidative stress.

Tips to Support Daytime Defence:

• Stay hydrated inside and out by drinking water, a healthy tea or juice spritzer every couple of hours.
• Use broad-spectrum sunscreen (with UVA & UVB filters) daily. Reapply every two hours while outdoors
• Cleanse gently to remove sweat, SPF, and environmental debris
• Hydrate skin with lightweight, barrier-friendly formulas
• Opt for antioxidants to boost your skin’s defence capacity

Invity's favourite daytime support crew 

Youth Activating Cream Cleanser: Cleanses and exfoliates gently, removes sweat, SPF and impurities without stripping your barrier. Ideal post-sweat or after SPF reapplication.

Youth Activating Microemulsion: Hydrates, balances and preps your skin with a featherlight finish – essential in humid summer weather.

Youth Activating Invisible Mineral Sunscreen: No ash, no grease, no irritation, no excuses! Our invisible finish, smart sunscreen with organic filters and NAD+-supporting actives acts as an antioxidant shield.*

* Not available in USA.

Your skin’s nighttime actions: REPAIR AND REGENERATE

Image by Polina. Pexels.com

At night, your skin switches to repair mode. This is when cellular renewal, collagen production, and barrier restoration peak.

Night-time Skin Support Tips:

• Prioritise hydration to replenish water loss
• Use barrier-repairing ingredients to support recovery
• Consider gentle retinoids to aid regeneration – but only with strict SPF during the day
• Don’t neglect your body – it faces summer stress too

Invity's favourite nighttime support crew 

Youth Activating Overnight Mask: Locks in moisture, reinforces the skin barrier, and helps restore NAD+ levels depleted by UV and oxidative stress.

Youth Activating Retinoid Serum: Discover our gentler, next-generation retinoid with Hydroxypinacolone retinoate+Bidens pilosa for summer-safe renewal (read more below). For deep repair after exposure, travel or dehydration. Essential to use SPF 50+ sunscreen in daytime.

SuperNAD Youth Activating Facial Sheet Mask: A pampering, deeply hydrating, barrier-repairing treat – perfect after sun exposure or travel. Infused with NAD+ and botanical actives, it helps calm, replenish, and revitalise stressed summer skin and leaves your complexion visibly soothed, plump and radiant.

Youth Activating Body Cream: Your summer glow doesn’t stop at your face. The delicous cream gives you full-body radiance, firmness and hydration along with longevity-grade actives.

Retinoids in summer… Misunderstood, not impossible

Photosensitive? Never heard of her! Retinoids (like retinol) are often avoided in summer due to their reputation for increasing sun sensitivity. 

But while some retinoids increase photosensitivity, advanced alternatives offer the same renewal benefits without the summer drawbacks. And with the right approach, they can be a valuable part of your warm-weather skincare strategy.

Retinoids support cell turnover, collagen renewal and skin repair – making them powerful allies against UV-related damage and signs of ageing. The key lies in how and what you use:

• Use only at night: Retinoids should always be applied in the evening, never before sun exposure.
  
• Commit to strict protection: Daily SPF 50+ (reapplied if you spend longer than an hour in the sun), shade-seeking, and wide-brimmed hats are essential companions to any retinoid routine.
  
• Choose next-generation formulas: Modern, skin-friendly alternatives offer powerful results with minimal irritation. 

Invity’s Youth Activating Retinoid Serum uses Hydroxypinacolone retinoate, a highly stable form of retinoid that delivers visible anti-ageing results without the typical redness or flaking. Paired with Bidens pilosa extract, a plant-based, retinol-like active, the serum helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots while improving skin texture, collagen and elastin production. Used thoughtfully, this next-gen duo supports smoother, firmer, more resilient skin, even in summer.

How to tackle other summer skin challenges

Then, of course, there are the other delightful skin issues that come with summer, as The American Academy of Dermatology highlights:

Summer Skin Issue	Cause	Skin Thrive Solution
Acne breakouts	Sweat mixing with oil and bacteria = congestion	Blot sweat, cleanse generously, use non‑comedogenic products
Prickly heat (heat rash)	High temperatures and excessive sweating	Avoid excessive sweating; wear loose, breathable fabrics (cotton), stay cool, use fans or aircon
Folliculitis (itchy bumps or pimples typically on upper arms)	Sweat, heat, and friction trap bacteria in hair follicles, leading to inflammation or infection	Shower and change out of workout clothes promptly; avoid tight gear
Dry, irritated skin	Swimming, frequent showers, aircon, and sweating	Rinse off chlorine or saltwater promptly and moisturise within five minutes of showering
Sun allergy, rashes	UV exposure damages skin, triggering allergic reactions or heat rashes	Seek shade, wear protective clothing, and use broad‑spectrum sunscreen (at least SPF 30+), reapply regularly

Final thoughts: help your skin thrive, not just survive

Summer demands more from your skin, but with smart support, you can help it stay strong, radiant and resilient. It’s not about adding endless steps. It’s about understanding what your skin needs and when.

Enjoy your sunshine season! 

Sources

[1] Cadet et al., 2015. UV radiation and skin DNA damage, Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences
[2] Harvard Health: Protect your skin during heat waves - here’s how

[3] Sevrain et al., 2007. Skin hydration: a review, Annales de Dermatologie et de Vénérologie
[4] Fluhr et al., 2008. Environmental influence on skin barrier, Skin Pharmacology and Physiology
[5] Holzer, et al., 2010. The Other End of the Rainbow: Infrared and Skin, Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

[6] Zouboulis et al., 2014. Oxidative stress in skin aging, Dermato-Endocrinology
[7] Chini et al., 2020. NAD+ and skin health, Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology
[8] Fisher et al., 2002. Molecular mechanisms of photoaging, Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine

[9] Zasada et al., 2019, Retinoids in dermatology, Advances in Dermatology and Allergology