Summer makes us feel alive: sun, heat, vacation... but also sunburn, dehydration, and blemishes. Your skin, however, doesn't take time off. It suffers. And sometimes, we damage it without even realizing it. Here are 5 common mistakes to avoid to keep your glow throughout the summer.

1. Skipping sunscreen

This is mistake #1. Many people apply it only at the beach... and forget that in the city, on a terrace, or even in the shade, UV rays still get through. The result? Pigmentation spots, premature skin aging, and in the worst cases: skin cancer.

The right reflex: apply at least SPF 30 every morning, even on cloudy days, and reapply every 2 hours if you are sweating or swimming.

2. Over-cleansing your face

The heat makes you want to refresh yourself and wash more often... but too much cleansing strips the skin. Eventually, it becomes unbalanced, produces more sebum, and hello breakouts.

The right reflex: cleanse morning and evening with a gentle gel, and opt for a thermal water mist or a hydrating toner during the day.

3. Forgetting hydration

People often think that skin is oilier in the summer, so there's no need to moisturize. False! The sun, the sea, and air conditioning deeply dehydrate the skin.

The right reflex: choose a light cream or hydrating gel adapted to your skin type, and drink at least 1.5 L of water per day.

4. Exposing yourself after wearing perfume

Certain substances contained in perfumes (alcohol, essential oils, etc.) are photosensitizing. They can cause irreversible brown spots when exposed to the sun.

The right reflex: avoid spraying perfume directly on your skin before going out. Opt for your clothes or hair instead.

5. Over-exfoliating your skin

Doing scrubs every two days to "tan better"? Bad idea. In summer, the skin is more sensitive due to UV rays. Exfoliating too frequently or too aggressively can weaken the skin barrier, causing redness, dryness, or even pigmentation spots.

The right reflex: exfoliate gently once or twice a week maximum, with a mild scrub (without abrasive grains), preferably in the evening. And never before sun exposure!

Summer can be good for your skin, provided you listen to it, protect it, and treat it gently.