“I don’t need a moisturizer in hot weather,” you may say. “My skin is oily enough!”
It’s true that many people with oily skin will notice more oil in the hot summer months. That may lead you to believe that it’s best to put away the moisturizer until the weather cools off again.
But that would be a mistake. Here’s why.
Moisturizer in Hot Weather: Why the Skin Gets Oilier in the Summer
The summer weather can take a toll on your skin. Hot temperatures, sun exposure, and dry indoor air all work together to cause problems in the skin you may not have noticed during the cooler winter months.
Our bodies react to warm weather with a sort of natural air conditioning: we sweat more, and when that sweat evaporates, it cools us off. Sweat is composed of mostly water, which means that the more we sweat, the more dehydrated we get.
The body has a second response to heat—it increases the production of skin oil, called “sebum.” This oil is a complex mix of fatty acids, sugars, waxes, and other natural chemicals that form a protective layer over the skin. The body produces this oil to help slow the evaporation of sweat, thereby extending the cooling effects.
Summer can also come with increased humidity levels, depending on where you live. Humidity is not a friend to your skin, particularly if you’re acne-prone or have oily skin. It leads to a greater increase in oil production from the sebaceous glands.
Increased levels of sebum can mix with the sweat your skin produces as well as any dead skin cells that may be resting on the surface of the skin. Add in the dirt and debris your skin collects during the day and you have the perfect conditions for an acne breakout.
Moisturizer in Hot Weather: How to Deal with Excess Oil
Before we talk about moisturizer, let’s address the main problem: all that excess oil. How do you deal with it?
We have some tips that will help:
Cleanse Properly
The cleanser you used in the winter may not be working for you in the summer. Consider an oil-control cleanser—one that includes glycolic acid may be very effective. Use a skin brush to get deep into your pores.
Don’t Cleanse Too Much
You may be tempted to cleanse more often to get rid of the oil. Resist this temptation, as it can strip your skin of its oils, causing it to produce even more. Cleansing twice a day is adequate.
Refresh with a Toner
After cleansing, refresh and hydrate the skin with a moisturizing toner like our Rescue + Relief Spray. It helps balance the skin’s oil production while providing a light moisturizing effect that will tame any overproduction of oil.
Blot Oil Away
Blotting papers are a good way to remove excess oil from your skin during the day. They are inexpensive and can fit easily in your purse.
Avoid Heavy Skincare Products
If you were using a heavy moisturizer in the winter, put it away for the summer months. It may block pores and stimulate breakouts.
Exfoliate
Exfoliation is critical in the summer months as it will slough off the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin so that they can’t trap in oil and debris. Use a gentle product two to three times a week.
Lighten Your Beauty Routine
Piling a lot of products on your skin can result in clogged pores in the summertime. Try using lighter serums and moisturizers, as well as less makeup. When you have more makeup on, it mixes with sweat and oil and can make your skin prone to acne breakouts and irritation.
Mask
Several summer-friendly masks are great for removing excess oil. Try sulfur, charcoal, or mud masks to gently remove skin impurities and leave skin feeling clean and bright. Clarifying masks with gentle hydroxy acids can also help keep your skin looking fresh and clear.
Drink More Water
Water helps hydrate you from the inside out, counteracting the effect that sweating has on your skin. It also helps to eat water-rich fruits and vegetables.
Why It’s Important to Moisturize in Hot Weather
It’s a myth that if your skin is oily, you don’t need moisturizer in summer. Moisturizing is just as important in the summer as it is in any season. Indeed, keeping your skin hydrated is essential if you want to combat oiliness.
Here are some more reasons why moisturizer is essential in summer:
- Harsh sun rays dry out your skin and sap its natural oils. That dries the skin out. Sun rays also accelerate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Air conditioning dries out indoor air, and that dry air steals moisture from your skin.
- As we sweat, the skin loses more moisture, drying out the skin cells. If you don’t replenish the water and moisture the skin is losing, it will get dry and produce more oil to compensate.
- Chlorine in swimming pools strips the skin of its natural oils.
What you need is a light moisturizer that will moisturize without clogging your pores.
We recommend our Calming Moisture and Body Repair Lotion. They are both made with ingredients that will not clog your pores and will counteract any inflammation that might lead to acne breakouts. Plus they both have powerful antioxidants that will help protect your skin from the sun and pollution.
Our Calming Moisture is light enough to use as a primer, too, which can help you cut down on the number of products you’re using, giving your skin a break.
Our Rescue & Relief Spray can also give you a great a moisture boost at any time throughout the day. It’s non-comedogenic and oil-free, so it’s perfect for acne-prone skin, and helps soothe and calm redness from too much sun.
Finally, all three products will leave your skin with a natural, glowing sheen that looks great in the summer months!
How do you deal with oily skin in the summer?
