Summer Skin Barrier Rehab: 3 Steps to Protect Your Skin Barrier

The sun is out, the sky is blue – what could be better than that? Unfortunately your skin is not as enthusiastic about summer as you are, because your skin barrier is at its most vulnerable in the summer months. Here’s what you need to know about post summer skin barrier rehab and how best to protect your skin barrier while you have fun in the sun in three easy steps:

Step 1: Strengthen – Rebuild Your Skin Barrier 

☀️Summer Skin Rehab Goal: Focus on skin barrier-repairing ingredients and replenishing what summer depleted.

Summer is a tough time for your skin barrier. Your skin loses ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids from UV and environmental exposure. That can lead to dryer, more sensitive skin post summer. It’s not enough just to slather on more of your usual moisturizer – you need targeted skincare actives that can help your skin regain its normal, healthy glow. And that means changing up your skincare routine and focusing on ingredients that replenish the building blocks of your skin barrier.

☀️Step 1 – Repair and Rebuild:

▪️Avoid aggressive skincare actives during this phase — focus on rebuilding.

▪️Introduce skin-barrier-specific products like Malassezin and niacinimide.

▪️Add a barrier-repair serum before moisturizing.

▪️Prevent and repair sun damage like dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

Time spent  in the sun adds up, meaning that signs of sun damage like dark spots and uneven skin tone start to become more obvious over the years. That sunburn when you were 16 is more than a memory, it’s why you may be seeing hyperpigmentation years later. The good news is that you can repair and prevent dark spots all summer long with Malassezin, a sun-safe skincare active that also protects and rebuilds your skin barrier. 

Read more about Mother Science’s award-winning sun-safe dark spot corrector.

Even high SPF (sun protection factor) sunscreens don’t block 100% of the sun’s damaging rays so your skin can still experience damage at a cellular level. A skin barrier repair serum like Molecular Hero Serum supports your skin with another layer of protection underneath your sunscreen. That’s because Molecular Hero Serum contains Malassezin, a powerful antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals (molecules that attack skin cells) caused by sun exposure.

For your best summer skincare, dermatologists recommend limiting exposure to the sun during the hottest part of the day, and reapplying sunscreen liberally every 2 hours, and after swimming or toweling dry. 

Step 2: Strip Back – Simplify Your Skincare Routine 

☀️ Summer Skin Rehab Goal: reduce stress on your skin barrier with a minimal, less-is-more post summer skincare routine. 

Simplifying your skincare routine doesn’t mean missing out on skincare actives, or the results you want. Helping your skin post summer can be as simple as reducing the steps in your routine and introducing multitasking products that also support your skin barrier health. When it comes to post summer skincare, dermatologists advise not going cold turkey but instead temporarily reduce the number and type of products in your skincare routine.[1]

☀️ Step 2 – Simplify Your Skincare Routine:

▪️Avoid over-exfoliating and pause any intensive treatments or peels.

▪️Reduce your skincare actives especially strong retinols, retinoids and Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs).

▪️Cleanse gently and use non-foaming cleansers with moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, or panthenol. Avoid physical scrubs.

▪️Avoid harsh toners or overusing micellar water cleansers.

One easy way to simplify your routine without losing out on results is to use products with multiple benefits like Retinol Synergist. Because multitasking skincare like Retinol Synergistic delivers powerful skin renewal from advanced encapsulated retinol plus Malassezin for skin barrier repair.

Retinol reduces fine lines and wrinkles by increasing skin cell turnover. This can have a slight thinning effect on your skin and potentially make it more vulnerable to UV damage from sun exposure. Using a retinol that also contains skin barrier support (Malassezin) means not having to take a break from using retinol in the summer. 

When you use retinol in the summer, always make sure to only use it at night and always wear SPF of at least 30 during the day. Read more about the best ways to use retinol in the summer. 

Skin Renewal Set

Retinol Synergist

Step 3: Seal & Shield – Lock in Moisture and Prevent Future Damage

☀️ Summer Skin Rehab Goal: lock in moisture and rebuild your skin barrier with barrier supporting ingredients and long-term skin-protective habits.

Your skin barrier is like a wall made up of cells (the bricks) with lipids like ceramides and fatty acids as the “mortar” holding them in place. A healthy skin barrier means your skin is less sensitive and more resilient. Summer sun, dry air, and heat can all stress your skin barrier causing dryness and irritation. The good news is that the right moisturizing routine plus sunscreen can keep your skin barrier healthy all summer long, and year-round.

☀️Step 3 – Hydrate and Strengthen Your Skin Barrier:

▪️Trap moisture with emollients – look for ingredients like squalane and ceramides that are a key part of your skin’s protective barrier.

▪️Don’t forget your lips, eyelids, and hands – they also need post-summer barrier TLC.

▪️Nighttime is repair time – Your skin renews while you sleep so apply thicker products or masks at bedtime.

A healthy skin barrier is key to having smooth, plump, hydrated skin. That means using a moisturizer like Molecular Genesis Barrier Repair with moisture-sealing and hydrating ingredients designed to support and repair your skin barrier.

It doesn’t take long for summer skin barrier rehab when you are using the right ingredients. A skin barrier repair moisturizer can be used AM and PM as a second step after your treatment serum. You can also use it on top of your nighttime retinol to avoid any drying effects of the skincare active.

Maintaining a healthy skin barrier year round is all about hydration – moisturize whenever your skin feels dehydrated, and make sure you drink enough water each day. It’s easier to prevent a damaged skin barrier than it is to repair it so your best summer skincare should always include a barrier repair moisturizer.

Skin Renewal Set

Molecular Discovery Set

Molecular Genesis Barrier Repair Moisturizer

Because You Deserve Your Best Skin Year-Round

At Mother Science, we believe that a healthy skin barrier is key to having your best skin all year round. That’s why Mother Science makes revolutionary products that support your skin health and are validated by science and clinical trials. We believe in our products, and we’re confident that you will love them too, but if you’re not completely satisfied, we offer free returns within 30 days of receiving your products.

We want your skin to be the best it can be, that’s why we offer discounted bundles and 10% off all subscription orders.

We want the very best for you and your skin.

Questions? Take a look at our FAQ page or reach out to us at hello@motherscience.com.