Dry Skin in Summer: Effective Care Tips, Routines & Mistakes to Avoid

Oscar Pereira

Summer’s warm embrace is often a relief. However, for many, the season can bring its own set of skin challenges, particularly for those with dry skin. While we typically associate dry skin with winter’s cold, the intense heat and environmental factors during summer can exacerbate dryness. Understanding why this happens and how to address it is crucial for maintaining healthy, hydrated skin. Let’s explore the causes, solutions, and ideal skin care routine for dry skin in summer, along with some common mistakes to avoid.

Why Dry Skin Gets Worse in Summer: Causes & Risk Factors

You may wonder why your skin feels drier than usual in the summer. Several factors contribute to this issue, such as: 

  • Increased Sweating

While sweating is the body’s natural way of cooling down, it can also strip moisture from the skin. Without replenishing this lost moisture, your skin can become dehydrated.

  • Sun Exposure

UV rays can break down the skin’s natural barrier, which plays a key role in holding moisture. The more sun exposure, the higher the chances are that your skin will lose its ability to retain hydration.

  • Dehydration

People often drink less water during summer, which contributes to overall dehydration. When the body isn’t adequately hydrated, it leads to dehydrated skin, dryness and flakiness.

  • Air Conditioning

While air conditioning keeps us cool, it also reduces the humidity in the air, causing your skin to lose moisture faster.

Best Dry Skin Care in Summer: Hydrating Tips That Work

When it comes to skin care in summer for dry skin, hydration should be your top priority. A few simple but effective tips can help keep your skin nourished and prevent it from drying out.

  • Drink Plenty of Water

Hydration starts from the inside. Water helps to replenish the skin’s moisture reserves and keeps it looking plump and hydrated.

  • Use a Hydrating Serum

To combat dehydrated skin, incorporating a hydrating serum into your routine can work wonders. Look for serums that contain hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, which draws moisture into the skin, helping it stay nourished.

  • Focus on Diet

Have a diet rich in water-dense foods. Include cucumbers, watermelon, and leafy greens, as well as essential fatty acids from sources like avocados and nuts, that support your skin's hydration. 

  • Moisturise While Damp

Immediately applying a summer moisturizer to damp skin helps to lock in moisture, ensuring it doesn’t escape before being absorbed.

Our UltraIntense Moisturizer is ideal for summer, offering 24-hour hydration while improving your skin’s barrier. Enriched with epidermal growth factors, ceramides, and essential fatty acids, it targets fine lines and enhances moisture retention.

Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin in Summer: Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a summer skin care routine for dry skin involves key steps to ensure hydration and protection. Here’s a simple guide to help you achieve visible results:

  1. Start with a Gentle Cleanser

Choose a mild, hydrating summer facewash that won’t strip the skin of essential oils. Our FaceWash OILY combines niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, along with AHA, BHA, LHA, and PHA, which help exfoliate, remove buildup and improve skin hydration.

  1. Use a Hydrating Serum

Apply a serum that contains moisture-boosting ingredients. CodeSkin’s Hyaluronic 7+ Serum is ideal as it combines the goodness of seven types of hyaluronic acid and milk peptides that brighten and revitalise your skin.

  1. Moisturise

After the serum, apply a moisturizer to lock in hydration. The UltraClarifi Moisturizer, enriched with willow bark extract, acne busters, and ceramides, hydrates while addressing excess oil, impurities, and supporting clearer skin.

  1. Protect Your Skin

Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen last to protect your skin from UV rays. You can try our UltraMatte Oil-Free Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50+ for long-lasting sun protection and sebum control. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Dry Skin in Summer

While maintaining a proper skin care routine during summer is essential, some common mistakes can worsen dryness, such as:

  • Over-exfoliating

Excessive exfoliation or the use of aggressive exfoliants might harm the skin's natural moisture barrier. Limit your exfoliation to once or twice a week.

  • Skipping Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a must, even on cloudy days or indoors. UV exposure can quickly dehydrate the skin and lead to premature ageing.

  • Using Hot Water

Hot water can strip moisture from your skin, leaving it feeling dry and irritated. Always cleanse your skin with lukewarm water.

  • Not Moisturising Enough

Many people believe they don’t need to moisturise as much in the summer. However, the combination of heat, sun exposure, and air conditioning requires a good, consistent moisturizer.

Say Goodbye to Dry Skin in Summer with CodeSkin

Achieving radiant, hydrated skin this summer is easy with the right self-care routine. CodeSkin’s clinically tested skincare works to repair your skin barrier while providing deep moisture, leaving your complexion glowing and smooth. Our cruelty-free and vegan products are formulated with safe, high-quality ingredients to deliver effective results you can trust. So, explore our range today and say goodbye to dry skin in summer!

Back to blog