Making this 1 mistake when applying sunscreen can leave you with skin damage

With the busy summer travel period about to set in, it's time to ensure you have the correct sun protection before jetting off abroad or enjoying a relaxing staycation. Hot weather, stronger sun, and increased humidity can mean that your usual products might not work as well. One mistake people make when it comes to suncare and skincare in general is to stick to the same products year-round.

Instead, you should change your skincare products and habits throughout the year so they work best regardless of the weather. With this in mind, skincare experts at Fresha have revealed their essential tips for maintaining healthy summer skin and avoiding sun damage.

This may seem like a rather obvious point, but many people are actually incorrectly applying their SPF. A broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher with at least a 4-star UVA rating is the correct choice, but the part that many get wrong is the application.

The average adult needs at least two tablespoons for their whole body, a nickel-sized dollop to the face alone; otherwise, it could lead to burns, hyperpigmentation, and long-term skin damage. Sunscreen should then be reapplied every two hours.

SPF should be applied daily, even when it's cloudy out and you can't see the sun, or when you'll only be outside for a short time while running errands.

"Even during summer, your skin can react to sudden drops in temperature," explain the experts. "Whether you’re blasting the AC, flying long-haul, or heading somewhere cooler on holiday. Cold air, low humidity, and recycled indoor air can all strip moisture from your skin, leading to dryness, tightness, or even eczema flare-ups.

When the temperature drops, lightweight summer lotions won’t cut it. Instead, swap to thicker, ceramide-rich creams that help rebuild the skin barrier.

You should also consider applying hyaluronic acid or glycerine to damp skin to lock in hydration and occlusive balms with shea butter or lanolin to the lips and hands.

Rather than making sudden changes when adapting your skincare, you should take two weeks to gradually ease into new products so your skin can properly adapt, especially if you’re introducing retinol or exfoliating acids.

The experts add: "As part of this gradual adjustment, incorporating a gentle exfoliant (such as lactic acid or mandelic acid under 10%, or a soft physical scrub with smooth, rounded particles) once or twice a week can help get rid of dry, dull skin in winter or clear up clogged pores as the weather warms up in spring."

While some products should be changed with the seasons, certain habits should be kept year-round, with daily cleansing, moisturising, and sun protection being non-negotiables.

Lifestyle factors like travel, stress, air conditioning, and not getting enough sleep can negatively impact skin health. The experts highlight that the lack of fresh air in an aeroplane cabin can dehydrate the skin and cause post-flight dryness.

For this, they advise opting for hydrating facemasks, adding: "Hydrating face masks containing hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and glycerine can aid recovery and prevent symptoms such as tightness, flakiness, dullness, or increased sensitivity.

"These ingredients draw moisture into the skin and help retain water, as well as soothe irritation and reduce redness."