How to get glowing summer skin, according to the experts

With summer comes lighter days and lighter make-up. If you’re not a fan of wearing heavy foundation in the heat, but you’re also not confident with the current condition of your skin, you’re not alone. Transitioning from one season to another can bring unsightly breakouts and a dull complexion for many, leading to many of us feeling the need to mask our skin with make-up.

So, if you’re looking for ways to boost the condition of your complexion, we have you covered. Here, we’ve sourced the best advice from skincare experts about how to transform dull skin into glowing and dewy in no time. Goodbye, foundation. Hello, compliments.

Layer sunscreen and vitamin C 

The duo you might not have known you need. "Sunscreen and vitamin C are a power duo when it comes to preventing sun damage and improving the skin’s structural strength,” explains Kavitha Murugesan, head of product innovation at Tropic Skincare. “Vitamin C is not only an essential nutrient, but also one of the world’s smartest antioxidants. It helps to protect cells against the damaging effects of free radicals, which are molecules produced when the body is exposed to environmental factors such as air pollution and UV radiation.

“By adding a vitamin C serum into your morning skincare routine, finishing with SPF 30 or 50 minutes before heading outside, you’ll not only supercharge protection against sunlight but also increase your skin’s structural strength, improve collagen synthesis and calm sun rash."

We love: Doctors Formula Power Active Vitamin-C Serum

Usually £34.90, you can nab this luxe serum in this month’s OK! Glow & Go Beauty Box, which is priced at just £7.50 for first-time subscribers and contains five skin-boosting treats.

This particular product has rave reviews from users. In tests, after two weeks of use, 87% saw brighter skin and 97% saw smoother skin. It’s all gain and no pain, with 97% also agreeing the product was gentle on their skin.

Up your skin’s hydration 

​​Hydration is the key factor to glowing skin. “There are lots of products out there offering hydration benefits, with hyaluronic acid being one of the best,” says Dr Hasia Al Khubra, GP specialising in dermatology. “Drinking plenty of water is also essential for your skin. Advice on how much water you drink a day continues to vary, but most experts believe that around two litres a day is the optimum. Swapping your coffee for water with lemon helps to reduce the caffeine intake and ensures your skin is getting appropriate hydration.”

Don’t forget to exfoliate

Clogged pores could be causing dullness “Exfoliation means removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. This can be done using either a chemical formula, a granular substance or an exfoliation tool,” explains Dr Hasia. “Gentle chemical exfoliation tends to be more effective than harsh exfoliation, which can cause damage to your skin. Look for products containing salicylic acid, which has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.”

We love: Murad Vita-C Triple Exfoliating Facial

Also in this month’s Glow & Go edit is this glow-boosting exfoliant from Murad (usually £9.38 for a travel size). Gentle on your skin but incredibly effective at sloughing away dead skin cells and improving dull complexions, use this weekly for an instantly brightening boost.

Fake it

If in doubt, fake tan will be your best friend. Tanning drops that can be added to your daily moisturiser will give you a glowing complexion in just a few hours. Even better, they do it perfectly without causing any sun damage, so there’s no excuse to be sunbathing this weekend.