Your Ultimate Guide to Dry Skin in Summer Months

While you may think dry skin is a winter season concern, it can also be very common during the summer. Between increased sun exposure, long days in the water, and vacation-related disruptions to your skincare routine, managing dry skin in summer can be a challenge. 

But if you’re looking to avoid dry, brittle skin in the summer, how can you stay on top of your skincare and maintain hydration?

In this guide, we’re breaking down why dry skin is common during the summer months and exploring three things you can do to keep your skin hydrated and healthy all season long. 

Say goodbye to sunburns and scaly skin: this guide is here to help you combat summer dryness and make way for hydrated and glowing skin without sacrificing time in the sun.

Is Dry Skin Common During Summer?

If you’re noticing dry patches on your face or find that your skin is drier in the summer months, you’re not alone. It’s very common to develop dry skin in summer weather for a few reasons:

• Sun exposure can impact moisture – During the warmer months, you’ll likely join in on a picnic, take a dip in your neighborhood pool, or soak up the sun at the beach. Increased sun exposure during summer activities like these can cause dry skin [1].
• Pool and salt water can be drying – Even though it sounds counterintuitive, swimming can lead to dry skin: salty sea water and chlorinated pool water can both have dehydrating effects [2].
• Vacations can disrupt your routine – Even if you religiously apply a daily moisturizer with SPF, a summer vacation could disrupt your typical skincare routine, leaving your skin vulnerable to sun exposure and dehydration.
• Sweating can impact application – If you live in a hot or humid climate, your moisturizer might have a harder time adhering to your skin—or you might apply less of it in an effort to let your skin breathe.

Simply put, numerous factors can cause summer skin dryness—circumstances both within and out of your control. 

Preventing and Managing Dry Skin During Summer: 3 Tips

Dry skin in summer is possible, but it isn’t inevitable. Let’s explore three tips you can lean on this summer to prevent dry skin and keep your skin healthy, hydrated, and safe in the sunshine.

#1 Cleanse Regularly

One way to combat dry skin on the face during the summer season is to cleanse often. Whether you’re working up a sweat in the garden, getting your laps in at the local pool, or soaking up the rays on a blanket in the backyard, using an effective personalized facial cleanser is very important during the summer months. 

Using a cleanser twice a day can help you remove:

• Dirt – Since most people spend more time outdoors during the summer, they’re more likely to get dirty. Removing dirt from your skin each day can help maintain healthy oil production and keep your skin looking vibrant.
• Irritants – Chlorinated water and sea salt can both dry out your skin. But, a cleanser can remove these and help prevent their dehydrating effects.
• Allergens – If you have seasonal allergies, summer might bring its fair share of challenges. As the weather warms up and pollen counts increase, your body might release histamine as an immune response, which can cause itching and skin irritation in some cases [3]. Cleansing can help you remove any residual pollen from your skin and relieve allergy symptoms.

While it might not sound like it can help with dryness, cleansing can remove irritating and drying particles and help you maintain healthy hydration. 

#2 Use a Daily Moisturizer with SPF

We know sunscreen is no stranger to the summer season. And while it’s important to protect your skin from UV rays and sun damage year-round, using a daily moisturizer with SPF is especially critical during the summer months.

UV rays and sun exposure can disturb and. damage the skin barrier, leading to dry patches and overall skin dryness. That's why SPF is always recommended to prevent sun damage. 

Since you’ll likely be spending more time in the sunshine over the summer, incorporating sun protection into your skincare routine will make a massive impact on both your overall skin health and your skin hydration. 

You have two options for incorporating sun protection into your skincare routine:

1. Applying a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least 30 SPF before applying moisturizer
2. Applying an all-in-one moisturizer with SPF

While either option can help you avoid sunburns (which can dry out your skin), the second is certainly simpler—especially for people with busy schedules or who struggle with skincare consistency. 

#3 Moisturize in the Evenings

Moisturizers are essential in skin care, no matter your skin type. This is especially true if you’re managing dry and flaky skin. Whether you’re spending every possible moment in the sunshine or hiding from the heat indoors, one surefire way to replenish your skin’s natural hydration is with a rich, moisturizing night cream. 

You might be thinking, “I already apply moisturizer in the morning. Do I really need another moisturizer at night?” 

Since they’re designed for all-day wear—and they’re often worn under makeup—daytime moisturizers are typically light. But, since night creams don’t have to serve as a base for makeup and your skin has plenty of time to soak up hydrating ingredients, they’re typically slightly more robust than your average day moisturizer. 

Night creams pack a big hydration punch, help replenish your skin’s natural moisture, and help your skin heal from the previous day. 

Unlock Hydrated, Healthy Skin With PROVEN

Tackling dry skin in summer can be challenging, especially if you’re planning to hit the garden party circuit, take a well-deserved vacation, or spend as much time as possible in the water. But, high-quality skincare products made from science-supported, safe ingredients are key to locking in moisture and protecting your skin all summer long. 

Looking for a simple, personalized skincare routine? PROVEN has exactly what you need. All of our formulas are customized based on your skin type, genetic expressions, lifestyle, and environment—and we’re all about keeping your skincare routine simple. 

If you’re ready to commit to healthy, hydrated skin, take our skincare quiz to find your perfect formula.