How To Build A Summer Skincare Routine Like A Derm

Whether you spend your summers lounging on the beach or enjoying lazy days at the lake, there’s no denying that summer can be hard on your skin. And that’s putting it lightly, according to Dr. Mamina Turegano, M.D., a triple board-certified dermatologist in New Orleans, Louisiana, who takes a whole-body approach to skin health. “Summer brings heat, humidity, and a lot more sun exposure, which means your skin’s needs naturally shift with the season,” she says. “Your skin might get oilier, more prone to breakouts, or react differently to products.” Because of that, what worked in the winter might not cut it during summer, she says.

Your skincare routine should reflect this shift, with lightweight textures, protective ingredients, and sunscreen good enough that you’ll actually want to apply (and then reapply) it. But that doesn’t mean it has to be complicated. “I’m a big fan of simplifying routines in the summer,” says Turegano. And to make that even easier, you can find all your summertime staples at CVS. The drugstore is a one-stop-shop for everything you need to keep your skin cool, calm, and comfortable—all without cutting into your vacation budget. Here’s exactly how to get a derm-approved morning routine that can handle everything summer throws at you.

Start Fresh

Any good skincare routine should start with clean skin (no matter the time of year). So cleanser should be your first step in the morning. During summer in particular, “I gravitate toward cleansers that are gentle yet effective at removing sweat, oil, and sunscreen without disrupting the skin barrier,” says Turegano. “I’m a huge fan of the Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser.” It works well for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone. Even overnight, sweat, oil, and leftover product can accumulate, so a gentle morning cleanse is key to starting your skin off fresh.

Another favorite of Turegano’s is the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser. With its lightweight gel texture, this gentle foaming formula is ideal for normal, oily, and sensitive skin types alike. It’s packed with soothing ingredients like prebiotic thermal water, ceramide-3, niacinamide, and glycerin, that help maintain moisture and strengthen the skin barrier, all while effectively washing away dirt, oil, and other buildup.

Brighten & Protect

After that, apply your face serum. “Order matters, especially in the summer when you want your products to feel light but still do the work,” Turegano says. “I always recommend starting with the thinnest texture and building up.” Her go-to ingredients are vitamin C, niacinamide, and green tea extract, as they help offset environmental stress and support the skin barrier. If you go with just one, make it a vitamin C serum like Vichy Liftactiv 16% Pure Vitamin C Serum. “Vitamin C is one of my must-haves year-round, and especially in summer—it helps fight free radical damage from sun exposure and evens out skin tone,” she says. Vichy’s version pairs a high concentration of the ingredient with a formula that's so lightweight, it absorbs almost instantly.

Hydration, Always

Next up is moisturizer, although the exact type might depend on your unique skin type and concerns. In the warmer months, Turegano recommends reaching for a lightweight, non-comedogenic gel moisturizer with “ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or niacinamide to hydrate without clogging pores,” she says. You can find hyaluronic acid and glycerin in Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturizer, which is one of her favorite picks for summer. “It’s super lightweight, oil-free, and won’t clog your pores,” she says. “It just soaks in and gets the job done.”

Meanwhile, if you have sensitive or dry skin, you can’t go wrong with calming ingredients that support the skin barrier, like ceramides, squalane, or oat extract. “I also look for fragrance-free formulas, especially in the summer when heat and sweat can make skin more reactive,” she says. One great option: Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel Face Moisturizer. Formulated with prebiotic oat, this lightweight, fast-absorbing gel is fragrance-free and helps effectively calm irritated, dry skin.

Shield With Intention

Finally, it’s time for sunscreen, which should be the very last step in your skincare routine. “Think of it as your armor for the day,” says Turegano. To max out your protection—which is critical for defending against both signs of aging (think wrinkles and dark spots) and skin cancer—she recommends letting it fully absorb before you layer makeup on top. “Don’t forget areas like your ears, neck, hands, and around your eyes,” she says. “Those spots age fast too.”

The key to sticking with your sunscreen habit is finding one you actually enjoy using. “Consistency is everything,” says Turegano, who personally prefers mineral formulas powered by zinc oxide; they’re ideal for sensitive skin and offer immediate protection, like Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen SPF 70. This hypoallergenic formula is non-comedogenic, boasts SPF 70, and its ultra-lightweight liquid texture feels nothing like a traditional mineral sunscreen.

For oily or combination skin types, nothing beats Cerave Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30. “It’s super lightweight, oil-free, and soaks in fast with a nice matte finish, so it layers well under makeup or works on its own,” she says. “Plus, it’s got ceramides and hyaluronic acid to keep your skin barrier happy and hydrated without clogging your pores.”

Don't forget about your body, especially in the summer. “During the summer, more of the skin on our body is exposed, so I also recommend adding a body sunscreen to your routine for your arms and legs,” says Turegano. One of her go-to picks? The La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen Lotion SPF 60. “It has what we want in a body product—it’s lightweight, fast-absorbing, and leaves the skin smooth and hydrated,” she says. It’s an easy step that makes a big difference in protecting your skin from sun damage and keeping it healthy all season long.