Hydration + exfoliation: best practices for a truly effective routine this summer

Do you have the right products? Perfect.
But do you know how to use them best, especially when temperatures rise?

Because in summer, it's not just the skin that changes, it's also the biological rhythms, the skin reactions, the interactions between products and the environment.

And if you sometimes feel that your routine “isn’t working anymore” in July, it’s not a coincidence.

Here are the best practices to adopt to ensure your hydration + exfoliation routine is truly effective, natural and aligned with your skin's needs, all summer long.

Morning or evening: when to do what?

In the morning: we prepare, we protect, we moisturize.
In the evening: we clean, we repair, we regenerate.

For what ?
→ During the day, the skin is in defensive mode: it fights against UV rays, pollution, and dehydration.
→ At night, it switches into repair mode: this is when cell renewal is at its peak.

Things to do in the morning:

• Gentle cleansing (warm water or a mild cleanser if oily skin)

• MONO moisturizing lotion to strengthen the barrier

• Light serum if needed (anti-blemish, moisturizing, soothing)

• Sun Protection

Things to do in the evening:

• Deeper cleansing (gentle MONO cleanser or double cleansing if using sunscreen + makeup)

• Gentle exfoliation (only 1 to 2 times per week)

• Soothing lotion

• Intense Hydration Serum (hyaluronic acid, anti-dark spot, anti-blemish)

• Light or richer cream depending on your skin type

Frequency and adaptation according to skin type

Every skin has its own rhythm. And in summer, some needs change drastically. Here's a quick guide:

Tip: When in doubt, simplicity is your best ally. Cleansing and moisturizing is often enough to transform troubled skin.

The order of application in summer: less is better

A well-thought-out summer routine follows a specific order to maximize absorption, avoid unnecessary interactions, and allow the skin to breathe.

The correct order (summer):

1. Gentle cleanser (sulfate-free)

2. Tonic lotion

3. Serum (if needed in the evening)

4. Moisturizing lotion

5. Sun Protection

In the evening, we skip the sunscreen and we can replace the lotion with a more nourishing texture if the skin is fragile.

Avoid: accumulating too many occlusive layers, using active treatments in the morning (AHA/BHA/retinol), or exfoliating just before sun exposure.

The right assets to favor

The star ingredients of summer are those that protect, soothe and hydrate, without overloading.

• Beta-glucan: smart moisturizer + soothing

• Astaxanthin: an antioxidant against sun stress

• Aloe vera: calming and restorative

• Prebiotics: strengthen the skin flora

• Oryza Sativa Germ Powder: gentle exfoliation based on rice enzymes, ideal for refining skin texture without damaging the skin barrier.

At MONO, each formula is designed around these active ingredients, to offer performance + gentleness.

And what about the days when we do... nothing?

Perfectly OK.
Sometimes leave your skin alone.

→ One day a week, give it an “active break”: just cleansing + floral water or hydrating lotion. No serum, no cream, no sunscreen (if you're staying home).

This is an opportunity for your skin to self-regulate without external stimulation.

Having a good routine is good.
But knowing how to apply it, when, in what order, and with what dosage, is what makes the real difference.

In summer, less product, but more mindful application. And always with formulas that respect your skin and the planet.

Discover MONO Skincare essentials, for clear, luminous and naturally balanced skin all summer long.