A Charlotte Esthetician's Guide to Healthy Summer Skin

With summer officially in full swing and Charlotte already experiencing record-breaking temperatures, now is a great time to take a closer look at your skincare routine. Between afternoons by the pool, rooftop happy hours, outdoor concerts, and weekends at the lake, your skin is likely getting more sun exposure than usual.

To provide some much-needed assistance, I reached out to someone who knows skin best. Essence Moore is a Charlotte esthetician with more than 11 years of experience helping clients achieve healthier skin. As the owner of Lineage Studio in SouthPark and Ara by Essence Skincare, I figured she'd have plenty of recommendations for keeping your skin healthy throughout the summer. Here's what she had to say.

Add an Exfoliating Cleanser to Your Routine

With increased heat and humidity comes more sweat, which can lead to clogged pores and congestion. To help combat that, Essence recommends incorporating an exfoliating face cleanser into your skincare routine. She suggests looking for formulas containing lactic acid, mandelic acid, or glycolic acid.

One product Essence recommends is the Skin Prep Cleanser, which contains lactic acid to help smooth skin texture, brighten the complexion, and maintain hydration.

Don't Skip Sun Protection

If there's one piece of advice Essence hopes everyone takes seriously this summer, it's protecting your skin from the sun.

"Sun exposure causes the skin to age more quickly and increases the risk of hyperpigmentation," she says.

Whether it's a high-SPF sunscreen or simply wearing a wide-brim hat, she recommends making sun protection part of your daily routine. One of her favorite tips is keeping your sunscreen near your front door so it's always within reach before heading outside.

Keep Your Routine Simple

You don't need a shelf full of products to maintain healthy skin this summer.

For someone with minimal skincare concerns, Essence recommends starting the morning with a gentle, hydrating cleanser, followed by a vitamin C serum and, most importantly, sunscreen.

She also believes the best skincare routine is one that's customized to each person's skin, lifestyle, and goals rather than trying to follow every trend.

Consider Professional Skincare Treatments

While a consistent at-home routine goes a long way, professional treatments can help keep your skin looking and feeling its best throughout the season.

Essence recommends gentle chemical peels and customized facials to restore hydration while helping combat oxidative stress caused by sun exposure, air pollution, and other environmental stressors.

For those interested in learning more, you can schedule an appointment with Essence at Lineage Studio, where she also offers waxing services and customized skincare treatments tailored to each client's unique needs. You can also follow her on Instagram and TikTok, where she shares educational skincare content to help people make informed decisions about caring for their skin every day.