With the warmer weather, your skin might be feeling a little more oily. Because of this, you might feel like you don’t need to add any extra moisture to your skin. But it’s actually vital that you continue to use moisturizer even during the dog days of summer. Here’s why:
Why You Still Need to Moisturize in Summer
Cold weather isn’t the only environmental factor that can dry out your skin. The harsh sun rays can dry out your skin by stripping away its natural oils. When the natural oils of the skin are stripped away, it increases sebum production which can lead to breakouts. The sun can also cause early signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles. Keeping your skin moisturized will help to keep it plump and youthful.
Sitting in an overly air-conditioned room can also make the skin more prone to dryness as artificially dehumidified air can dry out the surface skin cells. You should constantly be rehydrating your body with water even if you aren’t hot and sweating. And you should definitely be sealing in that moisture with a moisturizer.
When you skip out on moisturizer it can lead to “cracks” in your skin’s barrier over time. This will cause your skin to be more prone to inflammation and sensitivity. These cracks also allow bacteria to enter the skin resulting in breakouts.
Be sure you are moisturizing your skin all year round, even in the summer!
What If I Have Oily Skin?
If your skin is naturally oily, the prospect of adding even more moisture to your skin during summer may seem to be counterproductive. But adding a moisturizer at the end of your routine is essential because even though your oil glands will turn up the production of oil during the summer months, the exposure to the sun, AC, and chlorine from a pool can break down the lipid barrier (as we mentioned earlier.) If you stop moisturizing your skin in the summer, your oil glands will start to produce even more oil to try to compensate for the loss which will lead to breakouts, among other things.
What Are the Best Moisturizers to Use in Summer?
"As seasons change, so does your skin" Dr. Audrey Kunin, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of DERMAdoctor explains to Marie Claire magazine . "Increased temperatures and elevated humidity tempt skin to pump out more skin oils. Applying a heavy moisturizer in these conditions creates a perfect storm to smother pores and increase the risk for breakouts."
This is where a lightweight moisturizer comes in! Lightweight moisturizers typically use humectant ingredients that will attract water to the skin. This is opposed to the occlusive ingredients that you find in heavier creams. These work by trapping moisture in your skin. You can also opt for gel moisturizers which are water-based and absorb quickly into the skin without leaving behind any film or residue. As a bonus, you can keep them in the fridge for added cooling benefits which feel refreshing after a long day in the sun.
You should be using an SPF of 30 or higher every day. Look for one that contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. If you can, try looking for a formula that contains antioxidants and hyaluronic acid. Antioxidants help to repair and defend the skin against environmental aggressors and hyaluronic acid adds a boost of hydration. Replenishing ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, and sodium PCA all help to plump and hydrate the skin as well.
If you are able, also be on the lookout for formulations that include things like peptides, niacinamide, and retinol. Retinol, in particular, increases the rate of turnover in the cells which will lead to younger-looking skin. It also softens fine lines and improves tone and texture.
You can also opt for a refreshing toner or face serum to provide additional hydration!
Lastly, consider using lotions, serums, creams, and oil-infused with different natural herbs. These herbal skincare products deliver added skin benefits.
Bottomline
Your skin still needs hydration, even during the summer when it may feel more oily. If you don’t want to use a heavy moisturizer you can always opt for a 2-in-1 serum & moisturizer combination like the Nourishing Youth Serum from Dr. Wang Herbal Skincare . It is made with a proprietary MicroDroplet technology that makes the particle to be >30,000x smaller. The product is made without using heating. So it preserve all the active ingredients. This potent yet light herbal serum can instantly hydrates & nourishes your skin and delivers a youthful and dewy glow in the morning.
Dr. Wang Herbal Skincare is a family business started by Steven Wang, MD, and Gui Wang, LAc. Our co-founders have been working together for over two decades to offer holistic, innovative, and effective skincare products.
We are guided by three primary principles: formulate skincare products with proven efficacy to promote skin health, harness the power of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and utilize the latest modern medical breakthroughs.
To learn more, view our family of products or read what publications like The New York Times and Reader’s Digest have to say about Dr. Wang Herbal Skincare.