As summer gears up, we need to pair down.

Well I'm melting - are you melting? We are in the thick of a serious summer heat wave, and if your calendar looks anything like mine, life is just as chaotic as the weather. For most people, between carting kids around to sports games, packing for day trips, and trying to squeeze every ounce of joy out of these sunny days, summer gets incredibly busy.

When life is this fast-paced, the last thing you want is a complicated, 10-step skincare routine. If you're anything like me, you need to simplify or it just won't happen - and that's okay. The focus should be enjoying your summer!

However, that still brings with it some unique challenges like summer humidity, sweat, and heavy sunscreens that build up on your skin and cause breakouts. Here is how to tackle those summer skin stressors simply, naturally, and quickly.

1. The Problem: Humidity, Sweat, and Sudden Breakouts

All I want to do right now is spend each day outside in the sunshine tackling the plentiful yard and garden projects at my new home. Unfortunately it's got me brined and baked and has resulted in a serious uptick in breakouts from all the sweat and humidity. Summer is the prime season for excess oil production and bacteria buildup, leading to those frustrating heat breakouts.

The Solution: Choose a Clarifying Soap

I don't have a counter drawer full of expensive acne treatments. I just know when it's time to switch to my go-to summer soap Sea Salt + Clay.

Sea Salt + Clay Beer Soap: For my oily skin, this is my absolute daily holy grail for the summer. Sea salt is naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial, which targets the bacteria causing your breakouts. Pair that with clay, which naturally absorbs excess oils and you've discovered my favorite soap for summer. After only a day or two of using this soap, my skin gets noticeably clearer! And the herbal scent of rosemary and lavender essential oils in this soap are so relaxing after a day in the hot sun.

Sea Salt Bar Beer Soap (Fragrance-Free): If you're not a fan of scented soaps, this is a good alternative. It gives you all those powerful, bacteria-fighting benefits of sea salt without any added fragrance or clay.

2. The Problem: The Sunscreen "Film"

It took into my thirties before I finally started using enough sunscreen. And yes, I'm kicking myself over that. But I did have a good reason. I've always had really sensitive skin, and using the regular sunscreens as a kid gave me a horrible rash and made my eyes swell shut. So you'll forgive me if I was terrified to put anything on my skin. As an adult, I finally discovered more options in hypoallergenic, mineral, and natural sunscreens. The problem? That thick, zinc-heavy product does not want to come off in a normal shower. It builds up and sits heavy on your skin, and even regular sunscreen can feel greasy and clog your pores.

The Solution: Gentle Exfoliation

To get that stubborn sunscreen off without scrubbing your skin raw, you need skincare that lifts and gently sweeps it away.

Look for Clay Powders: Both the Sea Salt + Clay Beer Soap and the Garden Stroll Beer Soap contain natural clay powder. Not only does the clay help to gently scrub away stubborn sunscreen, it also soaks up those excess oils that it leaves behind.

Pair Soap with a Quality Exfoliator: When I use mineral sunscreens, I always use an organic cotton Soap Saver Bag for a cleansing boost. I toss the whole bar of soap inside the woven bag and use it directly as a washcloth. The natural fibers provide gentle exfoliation that helps me loosen up the sunscreen that I have baked into my skin. It’s also a great way to save all those tiny, almost-used-up soap scraps so nothing goes down the drain. Another great option is a natural loofah like this one. 

3. The Problem: You Want the Summer Vibes, But Your Skin is Dry

Not everyone deals with oily skin or breakouts in the summer. If your skin is more neutral to dry, clarifying soaps with sea salt and clay powders might feel like overkill. The ideal soap for you is one that still brings a summery scent and a creamy lather that leaves your skin feeling especially soft and conditioned.

The Solution: Moisturizing Shea Butter + Beer Soap

For skin that needs a little extra nourishment and soothing after baking in the sun all day, grab a bar that focuses more on deep hydration while still bringing those summer aromas into your bathroom.

Greenwarden Beer Soap: This bar is formulated with rich shea butter to keep your skin deeply moisturized, but it still includes a touch of sea salt for those gentle antibacterial properties. The scent is pure magic—it smells like fir, candied fruit, and herbal notes of rosemary. It is made with real Maine-picked spruce tips and smells exactly like a mythical spruce forest.

Garden Stroll Beer Soap: Perfect for neutral to dry skin, this bar also features ultra-moisturizing shea butter. Instead of salt, it uses European clay powder for a very mild, gentle exfoliation that helps remove lighter oil and sunscreen buildup. It smells like the ultimate summer companion: fresh earth, crushed mint, rosemary, and lemon. It captures that exact aroma you get when you accidentally step on herbs creeping onto a garden path.

The Special Ingredient in All These Soaps: Every single bar I make is made with real Maine craft beer. Why beer? The hops are soothing for inflammation and irritated, sun-baked skin, while the brewer's yeast is loaded with essential vitamins and nutrients. It creates a rich, creamy lather that leaves your skin feeling unbelievably soft. 

Simplify and Get Back to Summer

Summer is too short to spend it fussing over a complicated skincare routine. By switching to a high-quality, multitasking bar soap that addresses sweat, bacteria, and sunscreen all at once, you will keep your skin clear, glowing, and happy with zero effort.

Grab your favorite beer soap, toss it in a soap saver bag, and wash the heat of the day away in seconds. Then, get back out there and enjoy the rest of the season with the people you love! In the meantime, I'll be busy building my compost containers and testing out my new riding mower...wish me luck!

Cheers,

Elaine