It may not feel like it quite yet, but summer is almost here, which means that now is the time to start making those all important summer beauty swaps. That’s right, just as your winter jumpers and coats will soon be redundant, sticking to the same skincare routine isn’t going to work for you all year round.

Our skin is impacted by many things, from genetics and lifestyle to diet and product use, but one of the most significant factors that comes into play is the climate. While we may not have dramatically hot summers here in the UK, the rise in temperature does call for a few simple skincare swaps. For most of us, summer can trigger our skin to produce more oil, and we’re also likely to be dealing with the effects of increased sun exposure.

As an esthetician, the first thing I advise my clients to do when it comes to tweaking their skincare for summer is to make sure they’re using a broad spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen and not relying on their makeup or moisturiser for SPF coverage. The second thing? Switching out their rich, thick winter creams for lighter gel-textured moisturisers. These formulas will still provide intense hydration, but without feeling heavy or greasy on skin. The best summer moisturisers will absorb fast, won’t contribute to excess oil, will soothe any redness or irritation, and will help to prep skin for makeup application.