IS MY SUMMER GLOW
actually inflammation?
By Billie — glazed, confused, and slightly inflamed
There’s a fine line between “your skin is glowing” and “your skin is screaming.” And this summer, I’ve been walking it in platform sandals and a questionable SPF. Everyone keeps saying “your skin looks amazing” — but I can’t help but wonder… is it glow, or is it just a really chic flare-up? So I did what any skincare-obsessed, heatwave-surviving girl would do: I investigated.
That glow might be a cry for help
Here’s the thing — inflammation can look good. At first. Your cheeks flush, your skin looks plump, there’s a natural highlight. But underneath? Your barrier is begging for a vacation. Think: dryness, sensitivity, tightness after cleansing — basically your skin texting you “pls stop.”
Summer glow triggers 101
The usual suspects? Heat, UV exposure, sweat, and — surprise! — over-exfoliating because you “want to glow more.”(Been there.) Add in spicy margaritas, late nights, and stress, and voilà: your skin’s version of burnout. What it needs isn’t another serum, it’s soothing. Cooling. Hydration on hydration.
The calm-down routine that saved me
Enter: Moonrise Dew and Sunkiss Remedy. I keep them chilled, because cold textures help bring down redness and instantly calm irritation. I cut down on acids. I said no to 4-step glow boosters and yes to barrier-friendly jelly textures that feel like skincare therapy. Hydration became my SPF twin flame.
Redefining the summer glow
Turns out, “glowing” doesn’t mean sweating through your primer or overdoing it on the actives. Real glow feels soft,fresh, and low-drama. Like skin that isn’t trying too hard. Like you, lounging at golden hour with zero filters and just theright kind of dew.
Not all glow is good glow. If it stings, flakes, or leaves you wondering if it’s worth it — it probably isn’t. This summer, give inflammation the ick and let your skin chill.