Lake season is finally here. And if you’re a Minnesotan, you know what that means: long days in the sun, time on the water, and skin that takes a beating whether you realize it or not.
Summer is one of the hardest seasons on your skin with frequent sun exposure, heat, wind, lake water, and sunscreen reapplied over and over, but that doesn’t mean you have to choose between enjoying it and taking care of yourself.
Here’s a practical guide to what your skin actually needs this summer, what treatments work best this time of year, and how to set yourself up for a great skin reset when the season winds down.
What Summer Actually Does to Your Skin
Most people think of summer as a skin-friendly season. You’re glowing, you’re hydrated, you’re outside…but a lot can be happening under that post-lake tan.
- Prolonged sun exposure causes uneven pigmentation, melasma, and dark spots.
- UV exposure accelerates collagen breakdown, contributing to fine lines, laxity, and a loss of firmness over time.
- Heat and humidity can increase oil production and congestion, leading to breakouts even in people who don’t typically struggle with acne.
- Wind and lake water strip the skin’s moisture barrier, leaving it dehydrated and more prone to irritation and sensitivity.
- Sunscreen, while absolutely necessary, can clog pores when not thoroughly removed at the end of the day.
None of this means you should avoid the sun. It just means your skin needs some extra TLC during this time of year.
The Non-Negotiables: Summer Skincare Basics
Facials and corrective treatments can make significant change, but they work best when your daily habits are backing them up. The patients who see the best long-term results are the ones who protect their skin consistently throughout the season.
Wear SPF Every Single Day
We know you’ve heard it time and time again. But it really is that important to be wearing SPF. Not just lake days. Not just when it’s sunny. Every day. Even on overcast days and days spent inside. UV rays reflect off water and cut through clouds, which means lake season is one of the highest-exposure times of the year for your skin.
Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, and reapply every two hours when you’re outdoors. If you’re swimming or sweating, reapply more frequently. This is the highest-return habit you can build for your skin’s long-term health and appearance, and it protects everything else you do at the treatment level.
Cleanse Thoroughly at Night
After a full day in the sun, on the water, and reapplying sunscreen every couple of hours, your skin has a lot going on. All of that builds up throughout the day, and going to sleep without washing it off is one of the quickest ways to end up with congested, dull skin. A good cleanse at night takes two minutes and helps all of your other skincare products to absorb and work better.
Keep Your Skin Barrier Hydrated
It might feel counterintuitive to moisturize in the heat, but summer is actually one of the most dehydrating seasons for your skin. Sun, wind, and lake water all pull moisture from the skin’s protective barrier, leaving it more prone to irritation, redness, and sensitivity. Consistently using a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer is one of the simplest things you can do to keep your skin resilient all season long.
The Best Skin Treatments During Summer
Some treatments are better timed after the season when it’s not peak sun exposure time, but that doesn’t mean you need to put your skin on hold all summer. There are plenty of great options that fit well into a full, active season with minimal planning required.
Facials
Facials are one of the best investments you can make for your skin during summer. They address exactly what the season creates: congestion, dehydration, dullness, and a compromised moisture barrier. And because most of them involve no heat or light energy, they’re safe and easy to work into a busy lake schedule.
A few of the facials we offer at Key Wellness that are especially well-suited for summer are:
- Aqua Facial: A deeply hydrating, non-irritating treatment that cleanses, exfoliates, and infuses the skin with moisture in one session. Ideal for all skin types and excellent for maintaining a healthy, refreshed glow between bigger treatments.
- The Pearl Facial: Combines dermaplaning with PDRN, a regenerative ingredient derived from salmon DNA that supports cellular repair and a more radiant complexion. A great mid-summer reset when your skin starts feeling dull or congested.
- Customized Facial: A fully personalized treatment built around your specific skin type and concerns. A good option if you’re not sure what your skin needs or want a professional assessment before deciding on a treatment direction.
Browse the full facial menu to find the right fit.
SkinPen Microneedling
Microneedling is a great option to work into your summer routine. It stimulates the skin’s natural healing process to improve texture, minimize pores, and keep your skin looking fresh and even throughout the season. One thing to keep in mind going in: come in without significant sun exposure on the skin, and plan to stay out of harsh sun for a couple of days after your session. If you have a big lake weekend on the calendar, just schedule around it.
Chemical Peels
Not all chemical peels are off the table in summer. They’re a good way to address the dullness and congestion that start to creep in mid-season from heat, sweat, and daily sunscreen use. If you’re not spending significant time outdoors, lighter peels can be done throughout the season without much concern at all.
If you are on the water regularly, the main thing to plan around is avoiding harsh sun exposure immediately before and after treatment while your skin is healing. More intensive peels are better saved for when your weekends slow down and sun exposure is easier to manage naturally. Your provider can help you figure out what makes sense based on your skin and how you spend your summers.
Plan Ahead: The End-of-Summer Reset
Once lake season starts to wind down, your skin has likely seen a lot of sun and may have developed some pigmentation, uneven tone, or dullness. The end of the season is actually one of the best times to invest in your skin, when the damage is fresh and the healing window is wide open.
Lumecca IPL Laser Skin Treatment
Lumecca is one of the most effective treatments for correcting sun damage, age spots, uneven pigmentation, redness, and visible vessels. It uses intense pulsed light to target those concerns directly, revealing clearer, more even skin in the weeks that follow.
Because IPL requires no active tanning or significant sun exposure before or after treatment, the end of summer is a perfect time to schedule it.
Learn more about Lumecca IPL.
Chemical Peels
A corrective peel as summer wraps up is one of the most effective ways to resurface and reset the skin after a season of sun exposure. These treatments resurface the skin more deeply, smoothing texture, fading pigmentation, and revealing fresher skin underneath. With less time spent outdoors, the healing period is easier to manage.
Skin Care at Key Wellness & Aesthetics
At Key Wellness & Aesthetics in Crosslake, MN, we work with patients throughout the Brainerd Lakes area to build skin care plans that fit their real lives, including their summers on the water.
