Summer skincare swaps 2025

The new season is the perfect opportunity for a skincare switch up, especially as warmer months can be harsh on our complexions. Heat, air con, changes in humidity and UV radiation can dehydrate the skin, which can lead to redness, spot outbreaks and premature ageing. 

These are the expert-approved products that will protect and prep your skin for the deliciously sticky, sun-scorched summer days ahead, giving you a radiant glow that’ll last until it’s time to put our coats back on…

A deliciously deep cleanse that keeps pores free of sebum and dirt is even more crucial in summer. Warmer weather means more perspiration, as well as heavier products – such as all-important SPF – on your face, so you need something to slough away nasties at the end of each day. Step forward Sunday Riley’s Aquamarine Melt Cleansing Gel-Balm. This glossy, blue gel-balm melts into a silky cleansing oil, dissolving makeup, impurities and every last trace of SPF. Gently detoxifying malachite and nourishing cocoa butter leave your skin feeling soft, replenished and calm.

Thirsty skin-quenching serums are ideal new-season companions as they’re packed full of antioxidants and won’t sit on the skin in the same way as heavy creams or oils. The new Medik8 C-Tetra Advanced serum is light, fast-absorbing and features 20% stabilised vitamin C – one of the very best skincare ingredients, that’s also a summer-skin hero thanks to its free-radical-fighting prowess. The formula also contains cutting-edge phyto exosomes that aid the skin barrier’s ability to shield and recover from exposure to environmental stressors. Visibly brighter, smoother skin awaits. 

Using a high SPF every day (yes, even if it’s overcast) is the most effective way to shield skin from cancer-causing UV rays and prevent premature ageing. The issue? Many SPFs are greasy, slow to absorb or leave white streaks. Not Kate Somerville’s HydraKate™ Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops; this is a mineral sunscreen you’ll actually enjoy wearing. It effortlessly glides on to skin, offering high SPF 50 protection and a 24.5% Non-Nano Zinc Oxide formula – that's science speak meaning ‘with zero harmful chemicals’, so no risk of redness or irritation. Apply across the face, neck and décolletage, then wait a mere 60 seconds for it to fix.

Ultra-lightweight, CHANEL's new Serum-In-Mist is a summer saviour thanks to its power to hydrate and soothe. Containing wonder-ingredient red camellia, which is rich in protocatechuic acid, it protects from external stressors, boosts your skin’s vitality and strengthens its capacity for self-defense. What's more, the bold red bottle is designed for on-the-go use – simply shake it to mix the bi-phase formula, close your eyes and apply the refreshing Serum-in-Mist to your whole face. Open your eyes feeling instantly revived and looking radiant. It's the ultimate summer skin pick-me-up, and John Lewis has exclusive early access until 4 July.