☀️ Summer Skin Survival (From a Redhead Who Knows the Struggle) ☀️
Let me start with this: I’m a redhead. Which means the sun and I? We’ve got history. Not the sweet, romantic kind either—I’m talking years of surprise sunburns, freckles multiplying like bunnies, and that one time I “just ran outside for five minutes” and came back the color of a boiled lobster.
So yeah, when I talk summer skincare, I’m not guessing. I’ve lived it, learned it (sometimes the hard way), and turned it into part of what we do here at Mad House.
Here’s what I swear by to keep skin happy, hydrated, and not crispy when the heat is on.
🧴 1. Moisturize Like You Mean It (Yes, Even When You’re Sweaty)
Look, I get it. It’s a thousand degrees and your skin already feels like it’s melting—why add more stuff? Because your skin’s thirsty, that’s why. Between the sun, salt, and sweat, summer sucks the life outta your skin. I use our G.O.A.T. Milk Lotion—our Many fragrances are loaded with nourishing oils, light enough to sink in quick, and never leave you greasy. Just glowy. The good kind.
🌞 2. SPF is Non-Negotiable
I know this isn’t a sunscreen commercial, but real talk—don’t skip it. Ever. Not on cloudy days, not when you’re “just running out to feed the goats.” If my freckles could talk, they’d be screaming this from the rooftops. Your future skin will thank you.
🧼 3. Clean Without Drying Out
Sweat, grime, bug spray, sunscreen—summer skin is busy. But harsh cleansers will strip your skin faster than you can say “over-exfoliated.” That’s why I use our handmade goat milk soaps. They get the job done without wrecking your skin barrier. For dirty, garden-stained hands? Our Dirty Work bar with forbidden rice, lavender buds, pumice, and black seed oil is a little miracle worker. (COMINg in July 2025)
🧂 4. Exfoliate, But Don’t Sandblast
Dead skin’s gotta go, especially when you’re shaving more or layering sunscreen daily. I like a good scrub a couple times a week—our Whipped Foaming Sugar Scrub is scrubby but gentle. It leaves your skin feeling baby-soft, not raw. (It’s also an amazing prelude to “Fake & Bake!”)
🧊 5. Pro Tip: Refrigerated Skincare is Chef’s Kiss
This one’s a game changer: pop your lotion or body butter in the fridge. After a day in the garden or chasing small humans under a brutal sun, cold lotion feels like a love letter to your skin. Plus, it helps calm heat rash, bug bites, and the “why did I skip sunscreen again” regrets.
💦 6. Water > Everything
Hydration is queen. If you’re not drinking water, all the skincare in the world can only do so much. I aim for cold water with lemon or cucumber, mostly because it feels fancier and tricks me into drinking more. Also, let’s be honest, hydration helps with patience in the heat. (And I need all the patience I can get around here.)
Summer skincare doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to work. Whether you’re out gardening, running a homestead, wrangling kids, or trying to sneak five minutes of peace in the shade with a cold drink and zero responsibilities—it’s worth taking care of the skin you’re in.
From one sun-sensitive soul to another: protect it, love it, and give it the good stuff.
Here’s to hydrated skin, strong SPF, and surviving summer without looking like a cautionary tale.
Need recommendations? I’ve got a whole lineup of summer-friendly skin savers. Just holler.
