Skincare for hot Summer days

We’re halfway through the Summer, but it’s never too late to adjust your skincare routine, especially if sun exposure, humidity, or too much AC is starting to impact the way your skin looks and feels. 

Depending on the climate you’re in, your skin may need more intense hydration or products that prevent pore clogging. 

High humidity & high temperatures skincare

In climates with high humidity and high temperatures, your skincare routine should focus on managing excess oil production, preventing clogged pores, and protecting your skin from UV damage. That’s us, Northeast, especially this year.

The keyword for such a routine is lightweight. Choose skincare products that aren’t too heavy or comedogenic to prevent caking and clogged pores. 

Cleanse

Start with a lightweight cleanser and wash your face twice daily to remove sweat, excess oil and impurities.

Moisturize

When choosing a moisturizer, lightweight is, again, key. Opt for gel-based, oil-free, non-comedogenic formulations with glycerin or hyaluronic acid to hydrate without clogging pores.

Protect

Protect your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and add an antioxidant serum to your routine for extra antioxidant protection.

Exfoliate

If you haven’t been exfoliating regularly, now is the time to start. Use gentle exfoliants like salicylic acid or glycolic acid, or natural exfoliants like sugar or apricot seeds, to keep your skin clear and smooth. 

Oil control

Throughout the day, use blotting paper to remove access oil from your face. Opt for mattifying primers if using makeup control excess oil and reduce shine.

Depending on how much of your day is spent in an air-conditioned environment, you may need to approach your Summer skin care routine differently.  

If you’re someone who spends most of their time outside exposed to the elements, follow the below general guidelines:

Hot and Humid, Low AC Exposure

Skin Type	Skincare Principles / General Approach to Products and Ingredients	Key Ingredients
Dry Skin	Use gentle, hydrating cleansers. Apply lightweight, hydrating moisturizers and serums. Use gel-based products with hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen. Avoid heavy creams.	Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera Gel, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Vitamin C, Green Tea Extract, Silica, Clay, Witch Hazel, Chamomile Extract.
Oily Skin	Use gentle, foaming cleansers. Apply lightweight, oil-free moisturizers and mattifying products. Use products with salicylic acid. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen. Regular exfoliation with chemical exfoliants.	Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera Gel, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Vitamin C, Green Tea Extract, Silica, Clay, Witch Hazel, Chamomile Extract.
Normal Skin	Use gentle cleansers. Apply balanced moisturizers with hydrating serums. Use lightweight sunscreen. Regular use of lightweight, hydrating masks.	Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera Gel, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Vitamin C, Green Tea Extract, Silica, Clay, Witch Hazel, Chamomile Extract.
Combination Skin	Use gentle, foaming cleansers. Apply lightweight moisturizers on oily areas and hydrating products on dry areas. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen. Regular exfoliation.	Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera Gel, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Vitamin C, Green Tea Extract, Silica, Clay, Witch Hazel, Chamomile Extract.

If most of your days are spent inside with the AC on, you may benefit from a routine outlined below.

Hot and Humid, High AC Exposure

Dry Skin	Use gentle, hydrating cleansers. Apply rich, hydrating moisturizers and serums. Use gel-based hydrating masks. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen. Use a humidifier. Avoid harsh exfoliants.	Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Aloe Vera, Dimethicone, Squalane, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Ceramides, Niacinamide, Peptides, Cucumber Extract, Rose Water.
Oily Skin	Use gentle, foaming cleansers. Apply lightweight, oil-free moisturizers and mattifying products. Use hydrating serums with hyaluronic acid. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen. Use a humidifier. Regular exfoliation.	Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Aloe Vera, Dimethicone, Squalane, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Ceramides, Niacinamide, Peptides, Cucumber Extract, Rose Water.
Normal Skin	Use gentle cleansers. Apply balanced moisturizers with hydrating serums. Use lightweight sunscreen. Use a humidifier. Occasional use of gentle exfoliants.	Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Aloe Vera, Dimethicone, Squalane, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Ceramides, Niacinamide, Peptides, Cucumber Extract, Rose Water.
Combination Skin	Use gentle, foaming cleansers. Apply lightweight moisturizers on oily areas and hydrating products on dry areas. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen. Use a humidifier. Regular exfoliation.	Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Aloe Vera, Dimethicone, Squalane, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Ceramides, Niacinamide, Peptides, Cucumber Extract, Rose Water.

Here’s why:

Just like wind, sun or other elemental exposure, AC exposure is drying, so keeping your skin duly hydrated and protected from moisture loss is critical. 

What	Low AC Exposure	High AC Exposure
Hydration Level	Hydration mainly from the environment due to high humidity.	Extra hydration needed to counteract drying effects of AC.
Moisturizer Type	Lightweight, oil-free, or gel-based moisturizers.	Richer, hydrating moisturizers.

Exfoliation

Regular exfoliation to manage excess oil and prevent clogged pores.

Gentle exfoliation to avoid over-drying and irritation.

Face Mists

Refreshing face mists to cool and hydrate skin.

Hydrating face mists with humectants to counteract dryness.

Low humidity & high temperatures 

In low humidity and high temperatures, your skin care routine should focus on maintaining hydration, protecting against UV damage, and managing oil production. Generally, your aim to keep your skin well hydrated and its barrier thoroughly protected to prevent overdrying and thinning of the barrier. Skincare for hot and dry climates compared to humid climates involves richer moisturizers, layering hydrating products, and protecting skin from exposure to elements and overdrying.

Cleanse 

Use a gentle, hydrating cleanser that doesn't strip your skin of its natural oils. Cream or oil-based cleansers are ideal as they help to maintain the skin’s moisture barrier. When washing your face, avoid hot water as it strips away beneficial oils.

Moisturize

Opt for rich, emollient moisturizers that provide deep nourishment. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, shea butter, and jojoba, argan, or avocado oils help lock in moisture. Include a lighter-weight moisturize or a hydrating serum in your routine and apply it before your moisturizer to supply even more hydration to your skin before sealing it in.

Hydrate

Keep your skin hydration level at its peak by introducing hydrating facial masks with aloe vera, honey, and hyaluronic acid once a week. And, even more importantly, hydrate from within by drinking plenty of water.

Exfoliate

While exfoliation is beneficial in any season, avoid over-exfoliating as it may thin out your skin and make it vulnerable to the effects of the elements. Use the gentlest of exfoliators and limit their use to once a week, unless otherwise advised by your licensed esthetician or doctor. 

Protect

Don’t skip sun protection. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+.

If exposed to AC

In high AC-exposure environments, introduce highly emollient products to protect your skin from over-drying. Where possible, use a humidifier. 

Here’re some general guidelines on how to hydrate, moisturize, and protect your skin in a hot and dry climate.

Hot and Humid, Low AC Exposure

Dry Skin

Use gentle, hydrating cleansers. Apply lightweight, hydrating moisturizers and serums. Use gel-based products with hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen. Avoid heavy creams.

Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Aloe Vera, Niacinamide, Ceramides, Squalane, Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E

	Oily Skin	Use gentle, foaming cleansers. Apply lightweight, oil-free moisturizers and mattifying products. Use products with salicylic acid. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen. Regular exfoliation with chemical exfoliants.	Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Witch Hazel, Zinc, Green Tea Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Tea Tree Oil, Clay
	Normal Skin	Use gentle cleansers. Apply balanced moisturizers with hydrating serums. Use lightweight sunscreen. Regular use of lightweight, hydrating masks.	Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C, Aloe Vera, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Jojoba Oil, Ceramides
	Combination Skin	Use gentle, foaming cleansers. Apply lightweight moisturizers on oily areas and hydrating products on dry areas. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen. Regular exfoliation.	Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Aloe Vera, Ceramides, Jojoba Oil

If you’re exposed to AC

Hot and Humid, High AC Exposure

	Dry Skin	Use gentle, hydrating cleansers. Apply rich, hydrating moisturizers and serums. Use gel-based hydrating masks. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen. Use a humidifier. Avoid harsh exfoliants.	Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Aloe Vera, Dimethicone, Squalane, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Ceramides, Niacinamide, Peptides, Cucumber Extract, Rose Water
	Oily Skin	Use gentle, foaming cleansers. Apply lightweight, oil-free moisturizers and mattifying products. Use hydrating serums with hyaluronic acid. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen. Use a humidifier. Regular exfoliation.	Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Aloe Vera, Dimethicone, Squalane, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Ceramides, Niacinamide, Peptides, Cucumber Extract, Rose Water
	Normal Skin	Use gentle cleansers. Apply balanced moisturizers with hydrating serums. Use lightweight sunscreen. Use a humidifier. Occasional use of gentle exfoliants.	Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Aloe Vera, Dimethicone, Squalane, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Ceramides, Niacinamide, Peptides, Cucumber Extract, Rose Water
	Combination Skin	Use gentle, foaming cleansers. Apply lightweight moisturizers on oily areas and hydrating products on dry areas. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen. Use a humidifier. Regular exfoliation.	Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Aloe Vera, Dimethicone, Squalane, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Ceramides, Niacinamide, Peptides, Cucumber Extract, Rose Water

Final thoughts 

The goal of skincare is to maintain a healthy, balanced skin through hydration, moisturization, protection, addressing skin concerns and enhancing skin’s appearance. Regardless of the time of the year, basic routine remains the same - cleansing, hydrating, moisturization, exfoliation, protection. What changes is the frequency and formulation types that need to used to achieve a healthy and balanced skin. As a rule of thumb, in dry, harsh climates skin needs more barrier protection and moisturization, while highly humid environments may cause clogged pores, and thus require careful management of oil production. Watch for your skin changes under various exposures and supply the missing nutrients, hydration or ramp up your skin protection game with more potent emollients. And of course, use our cheat sheets when shopping for skincare products so you have all the right ingredients to provide the hydration and protection your skin needs in this moment.