It’s summertime and you need to shake up your skincare routine. Specifically, how you’re hydrating your face, because guess what? Your daytime moisturizer isn’t going to cut it right now. You’re too sweaty and under all of the heat, humidity, sunscreen and that extra layer of thick cream you’re rubbing on, something’s got to give and nine times out of ten, it’s going to be your pores.

Using a hydrating facial serum, like Avène PhysioLift Serum is your fix. Serums penetrate into your epidermis (top layer of skin) and dermis (deeper layer of skin) better than any other skincare product and unlike a lot of creams and lotions, won’t sit on top of your face before slowly sinking in. Plus, options, like PhysioLift, are lipophilic with hyaluronic acid, which means that thanks to their high molecular weight and sophisticated technology, they have the ability to trap water in your skin, keeping it nourished and plump and smooth looking.

It’s also lightweight, so it won’t make you break out and will absorb quickly so that you won’t feel or look greasy and shiny. Full of vitamin E and thermal water, it’s moisturizing too and your cells need that; moisturizing products hydrate your cells, promoting healthy turnover and creating a barrier to protect your face from environmental wear and tear, like pollution, dirt and grime.

But just because you’re shelving your moisturizer for the next couple of months doesn’t mean you’re off the hook with sunscreen. After you’ve applied your serum in the morning, make sure to add a dollop of UVA and UVB sun protection on top. After all, you don’t want to diminish all of the youth-inducing goodness of your new serum do you? Didn’t think so.

Avène PhysioLift Serum is $57 for 30 ml, available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada.