Why Moisturize in the Summer
Your skin is the biggest organ of your body and taking care of it, especially against the drying effects of the summer sun, is important to your appearance and your well-being. Even if you have oily skin, you’ll need to moisturize, because oily skin can still lack water.
Why You Should Continue to Moisturize Even in the Summer
Excessive summer heat can dehydrate your skin, so it’s important to keep it moisturized during the summer. If your skin becomes oily, it may be a sign that your skin could be dehydrated. Your body will step up the production of sebum, an oily substance, to protect itself from drying out. Summer heat means more time in air-conditioned environments. Artificially cooled rooms have dehumidified air, which drys your skin and can make facial wrinkles and fine lines look more pronounced.
Tips for Ways to Moisturize Effectively
- Use a non-comedogenic (oil-free) moisturizer (which won’t clog your pores) on your face two or three times per day in the summer, as well as all year round.
- If you’d rather use an oil-based moisturizer, use less of it or apply it on damp skin.
- Use a light lotion or gel in summer, instead of a heavy cream, if your skin feels greasy before or after moisturizing.
- Your feet experience much more exposure in the summer, so be sure to moisturize your feet too. Your feet may dry out quickly, so apply a heavier, creamier moisturizer. Prevent athlete’s foot by keeping the area between toes dry and not applying moisturizer there.
- Use an overnight mask to boost your skin’s moisture in summer. The deep hydrating effects of a mask renew and firm your skin with the added benefit of reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Other Tips for Skin Care During the Summer
- Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Water flushes waste products out of your system and helps hydrate your skin.
- Exfoliate your skin, especially in the summertime. You shed skin cells constantly, and dead cells sit on top of your skin if you don’t get rid of them. Dead skin cells can make your skin look dull and dry. Exfoliate one to three times a week to make your summer skin look radiant.
- Protect your skin against sunburn. Avoid the sun between the peak hours of 10am and 4pm, when the sun is at its highest point in the sky.
- Be sure to apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) all over your face and body at least 30 minutes before you go outdoors. Reapply sunscreen about every 90 minutes.
- When you shower, do it quickly and use lower temperature water than usual. After showering, blot (rather than rub) your skin to dry off. Apply your moisturizer right after.
- Apply lip balm to keep your lips moisturized.
- Use a humidifier at home if air-conditioning is drying out your skin.
- Hydrate your skin with a pre-shave moisturizer before you shave.
- Consider seeing a dermatologist, especially if you have a combination of skin types. Your dermatologist can prescribe a moisturizer that’s customized to your skin's needs. Your doctor can also recommend additional skin care practices.
For More Information on Helping Your Skin Look Its Best
If you’d like to find out more about products that can help your skin look its most radiant and healthy, make an appointment today with Dr. Katayoun Motlagh at her Encino or Palmdale office. Dr. Motlagh will recommend the best skin products to help you look and feel your best in the skin you’re in. Fill out the form on this page to request an appointment or call to learn more.