Summer skincare isn’t just about slathering on SPF and hoping for the best. As temperatures rise and routines oscillate, so do the trends. And this season’s lineup is all about skin that looks effortless, polished (but not too polished), and purposefully undone.
Here are the top # skin trends that are hot this season and how to make it work for you.
1. Poolside Skin
Poolside skin isn’t about wearing no makeup — it’s about not needing it. This trend is all about looking fresh, even, and lit from within while you’re bare-faced under the sun. The skin has that just-cleansed, just-moisturised glow: soft sheen, barely-there tone, and zero signs of congestion.
To get there, it takes more than a good cleanser. Poolside skin needs three things:
- Balanced hydration that can hold up against heat, chlorine, or saltwater
- Clarity — meaning faded marks, even tone, and fewer visible pores
- Texture smoothing that helps skin catch the light just right
That soft, bare-faced glow doesn’t just happen overnight — it usually comes down to smart skin prep and consistent barrier support. Treatments that target pigmentation and uneven tone can go a long way in helping your natural skin shine through, especially if you're dealing with post-summer spots or redness.
Pair that with a lightweight hydrator rich in barrier-friendly ingredients (think hyaluronic acid or ceramides), and a weekly mask that helps replenish moisture after sun exposure — and you’ll start to see that smooth, light-reflecting finish that defines poolside skin.
2. Glass Skin
This trend, which originated from K-beauty routines, first gained traction globally around 2017 — and it’s still going strong, especially in summer when that lit-from-within clarity is the ultimate goal. The idea? Skin that looks poreless, ultra-hydrated, and so smooth it reflects light like glass.
True glass skin is the result of multiple layers of hydration, texture refinement, and a consistently calm skin barrier. It happens when there’s no flakiness, no dullness, no inflammation.
For summer, the key to achieving this look is keeping your routine hydration-heavy but breathable. Layering light serums, humectant-rich mists, and gel-based moisturisers can help build that soft-glow effect without overwhelming the skin.
Professional skin treatments like Microneedling (Skin Needling) that focus on tone, texture, and can refine pores over time also offer the kind of clarity that a glass skin finish is all about. But even small shifts like swapping to a low-irritating exfoliant or boosting your hyaluronic acid intake can bring you closer to that smooth-glass finish.
3. Facial Mists
Nothing says summer quite like a cool, refreshing spritz mid-heatwave — especially when your skin’s starting to feel sticky, tight, or just a little too sun-kissed. Facial mists have made their way back into the spotlight.
Today’s formulas do more than just cool you down. Many, like the Multi-Active Mist which is packed with hyaluronic acid and antioxidant blends can actively hydrate, brighten, and perfect the skin.
More than just refreshing, the right facial mist can support your skin barrier and soften the effects of heat, UV exposure, and dryness from constant SPF reapplication.
We recommend misting post-cleanse or midday to effortlessly restore radiance to your skin, no matter how dry and hot the temperature climbs.
4. Peptides
When Jennifer Aniston casually mentioned getting weekly peptide injections in a 2023 interview, the beauty world sat up straighter. Her words? “I do think that’s the future.” And just like that, the spotlight returned to peptides, as serious contenders in anti-ageing and longevity skincare.
Peptides are short amino acid chains that help rebuild collagen, firm skin, and soften fine lines. In topical skincare, they would work by signalling the skin to start repairing, they’re especially a godsend during summer, when UV exposure and heat stress can and are known to accelerate signs of ageing.
If injectables aren't; your cup of tea (and let’s be honest, not everyone’s keen on needles), Skinstitut’s Expert Skin-Firming Peptide Serum offers a simple, topical option. It features their Firma-Peptide Complex, along with Niacinamide and Kakadu Plum, in a lightweight formula designed to support skin firmness, hydration, and visible smoothness over time.
5. Skin Cycling
Popularised by NYC dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe, skin cycling is a minimalist, dermatologist-approved routine that balances active nights with rest days — giving your skin the space it needs to actually recover and respond.
It’s typically a 4-night cycle:
Night 1: Exfoliation
This is when you slough off dead skin cells to improve product absorption and glow. A gentle, chemical exfoliant works best here.
- For at-home care, something like the Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14% works well to resurface and exfoliate the skin without irritation.
- For deeper results, an in-clinic Cosmetic-Grade Chemical Peel treatment can address dullness, congestion, or post-acne texture with more precision.
Night 2: Retinol
Time to boost collagen, target uneven tone, and speed up cell renewal.
The Expert Reveal Retinol Face Oil is a good intro option — lightweight, nourishing, and formulated to reduce irritation.
Nights 3 & 4: Recovery
These nights are all about hydration and barrier repair. Think calming serums, moisture-rich creams, and barrier-supporting actives.
Skinstitut’s Gentle Cleanser is ideal here — soap-free, pH-balanced, and infused with calming botanicals.
Update to
For this, Skinstitut Rejuvenate 15 would be ideal, as both offers hydration and skin rejuvenation, helping to support barrier function and repair overnight.
Follow it with Multi-Active Mist to hydrate and support barrier function.
6. Skin Flooding
If you have dry and dehydrated skin, this trend might be a worthwhile addition to your summer skincare regimen. This viral method is less about drenching your face in one rich, moisturising cream, and more about precise, step-by-step layering to actually retain hydration.
When it comes to layering, we like to stick with two simple rules: go from lightest to heaviest, and press, don’t rub.
Start with water-based mists or serums, then follow with richer creams or oils to lock everything in.
Timing matters too. Give each product a minute to absorb to prevent piling (those annoying flakes that show up when products aren’t mixed well nicely).
For your actives, apply glycolic acid-based products first on clean skin. From here, ingredients like Vitamin C, niacinamide, or peptides can follow suit — just be sure to pair wisely. Some combos (like Vitamin C + E or Glycolic Acid + Vitamin C) actually boost each other’s benefits.
Final Thoughts
Summer may come and go, but clear, hydrated skin shouldn’t be seasonal. Stick with what supports your skin — not just what’s trending — and you’ll see results that last long after the heat fades.
Need help figuring out what your skin actually needs this season? Book a complimentary consultation with the Skin Therapists at Laser Clinics UK and get a long-term Tailored Treatment Plan that works for you.
