Glowing Summer Skincare Routine for Radiant Skin

Discover the ultimate glowing summer skincare routine to keep your skin fresh, radiant, and protected as we transition into fall. Learn essential tips and products for maintaining a healthy skincare routine this summer.

SKIN

8/26/20254 min read

Summer-to-Fall Skin Woes (and Why It Matters Now)

As August winds down, your skin is living in a confusing season.

One day it’s sticky humidity, the next you’re feeling that first hint of crisp fall air.

This in-between stage can leave your skin acting out in unexpected ways.

Late-August humidity
+ early fall dryness —
how your skin gets caught in between

Your pores may still feel clogged from summer sweat and SPF, yet your cheeks could be getting dry or flaky as evenings cool.

This climate clash means your routine needs to multitask — balancing oil control while prepping for cooler weather hydration.

Common missteps: over-exfoliating, skipping hydration, dropping SPF too soon

The biggest mistakes right now?

Scrubbing away too aggressively (leaving your barrier weak), forgetting lightweight hydration, and prematurely ditching SPF.

Hint: Fall sun still causes damage — UV rays don’t take vacations.

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Your August Glow Formula

Think of August as your beauty warm-up for fall.

You don’t need to overhaul everything yet — just start shifting little by little.

Lightweight hydration now, richer creams soon

Swap heavy creams for gel-based moisturizers like Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel to stay balanced in the August heat.”, but keep your favorite nourishing cream handy.

Once evenings dip cooler, gradually reintroduce richer hydration.

Revamp with antioxidants (Vitamin C, niacinamide)

Antioxidants are your summer saviors.

They fight free radical damage from all those sunny days and help even out post-summer discoloration.

Vitamin C serums like TruSkin Vitamin C Serum help brighten, while calming formulas such as The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% keep skin even and smooth. A dream team!

Still SPF season: how to layer SPF under glow bombs

Yes, it’s still SPF season.

Layer sunscreen under your glowy primers or “glow bombs.”

A daily sunscreen like EltaMD UV Daily SPF 40 Tinted Moisturizer, or the EltaMD Clear SPF, keeps skin protected while layering beautifully under makeup.

Pro tip: let SPF set for 2–3 minutes before applying makeup to avoid pilling.

Soothing Post-Summer Damage

After months of sunshine, your skin deserves a little extra TLC.

Sun, saltwater, and pool chlorine can leave your complexion thirsty, sensitive, and in need of repair.

Think of this stage as the perfect moment to give your skin restorative treatments so it enters fall healthy and glowing.

Peptide-rich serums for barrier repair

Peptides are powerhouses for skin repair.

They support collagen, strengthen your barrier, and help bounce back from sun stress.

A lightweight option like The Ordinary Multi‑Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% is great for everyday use, while Drunk Elephant Protini Powerpeptide Serum offers a luxe, glow‑boosting upgrade.

We’ll be diving deeper into this in next month’s post: Why peptides help barrier repair in September.

DIY hydrating masks for last summer rays

Simple kitchen fix: blend plain Greek yogurt with honey for a soothing, hydrating mask. Leave it on for 10 minutes for instant calm and glow.

Glow from the Inside Out — Now!

Remember: your skin mirrors your lifestyle. Late summer is the perfect time to reset before fall.

Key supplements + hydration habits

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

Add electrolytes or collagen peptides to your water for a beauty boost.

If your water game wasn’t great during summer, like mine ugh, this is a great time to re-hydrate from the cellular level. My favorite clean, dye-free, sugar-free electrolytes.

For extra support, a scoop of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder can help strengthen skin, hair, and nails from the inside out.

Omega-3s and Vitamin E can also help replenish sun-stressed skin.

Quick wind-down ritual: stress relief, sleep, and skin reset

August is busy, but your skin craves rest as much as you do.

A calming tea, a quick meditation, and a solid sleep routine will do more for your glow than any serum.

Pair these rituals with nourishing foods like lean protein and healthy fats to keep your complexion supported from the inside out.

Product Roundup

Here’s a curated roundup of the products mentioned throughout this post — the tried-and-true essentials that will keep your skin radiant as we shift from summer into fall.