Summertime Skincare - Inside & Out

As the sun shines brighter and temperatures rise, your skin needs a little extra care to stay healthy, hydrated, and radiant. Summertime brings unique challenges—more UV exposure, sweat, clogged pores, and potential dehydration. As a naturopathic doctor working in aesthetic dermatology, I’m passionate about helping you care for your skin with both science-backed treatments and holistic, inside-out support. Here are my top summer skin tips to help you stay glowing all season long.

1. SPF - Every. Single. Day.

The most important summer skin rule? Never skip sunscreen. UV radiation is the number one cause of premature aging, sunspots, and skin cancer. Even on cloudy days or if you're mostly indoors, UV rays can penetrate windows and damage skin. I recommend a mineral-based sunscreen with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide and at least 30 SPF.

Naturopathic Tip:
Pair your topical SPF with internal sun support by supplementing with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories like Vitamin C, Curcumin, and Glutathione or Polypodium leucotomos —an herb shown to increase the skin’s resistance to UV damage.

Favorite sunscreen:

  1. SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield - great non-tinted non greasy option

  2. Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 - I use this in place of foundation most days

    You can easily purchase the supplements I just mentioned through my Fullscript account at a special discounted rate! Just click the link below to create your free account and shop practitioner-grade products with confidence.
    👉 https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/amontag

2. Hydrate from the Inside Out

Between sun exposure and sweating, your skin loses water faster than usual.

Holistic hydration tips:

  • Aim for half your body weight in ounces of filtered water per day.

  • Infuse water with cucumber, lemon, or mint to encourage hydration

  • Don’t forget to add trace minerals and/or electrolytes to increase internal hydration.

Favorite electrolytes:

3. Support Your Skin’s Natural Detox Pathways

Summer is a great time to gently support the body’s detox organs—especially the liver, gut, and lymphatic system—which play a major role in skin clarity and inflammation.

Naturopathic detox tips for clear skin:

  • Eat plenty of leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, and fiber

  • Incorporate dandelion root tea or milk thistle to support liver function

  • Dry brushing and regular movement (like walking or rebounding) help keep lymphatic fluid moving.

4. Don’t Over-Exfoliate

It’s tempting to scrub off sweat and sunscreen, but too much exfoliation can damage your barrier and increase sun sensitivity.

Naturopathic alternatives:

·       Limit chemical exfoliants (AHAs/BHAs) to 1–2x per week or replace with gentle enzyme-based exfoliants (like papaya or pumpkin enzymes)

·       Avoid harsh physical scrubs

·       Always follow with SPF, as exfoliated skin is more sun-sensitive

Favorite enzyme skincare products:

  1. Naturopathica Pumpkin Purifying Enzyme Peel

  2. Eminence Organics Yam & Pumpkin Enzyme Peel

  3. Osmosis Purify Enzyme Cleanser

5. Consider Summer-Safe In-Clinic Treatments

Certain in-office treatments can give your skin a glow boost and help you stay ahead of damage.

My summer-friendly faves:

  • Botox for sweat reduction and smoothing fine lines

  • Diamond Glow hydrating facials with hyaluronic acid and soothing botanicals

  • Low downtime, sun afe, collagen-boosting treatments such as Laser Genesis

6. Manage Stress for Clearer Summer Skin

Sweat and sunscreen aren’t the only culprits behind breakouts—stress plays a major role in skin health, too.

Mind-body strategies for summer calm:

  • Practice morning breathwork, journaling, or a mindfulness walk

  • Try adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha or holy basil to support your adrenal system

  • Get out into nature—grounding and sunshine (in moderation) are wonderful mood boosters

7. Sleep is Your Secret Weapon

Your skin heals and regenerates overnight—don’t let summer fun cut your sleep short.

Naturopathic sleep tips for radiant skin:

  • Stick to a consistent bedtime

  • Try magnesium, L-theanine, or calming teas like passionflower if sleep is disrupted

  • Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and screen-free to encourage deep rest

Final Thoughts

Your summer skincare routine should go beyond the surface. Supporting your skin holistically—from diet and herbs to lifestyle and in-clinic treatments—can help you glow from the inside out. With the right balance of protection, nourishment, and gentle detox support, your skin will thrive through the sunniest season.

Need help customizing a summer routine or exploring skin-boosting supplements? I’d love to support you. Book a consultation and let’s build a summer skin plan that’s as vibrant as you are.

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your doctor for personalized medical guidance.

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