Dry skin tips for summer

Why is my skin dry when it is hot outside?

Dry skin lacks enough moisture in its outer layer to stay soft and flexible. It can feel rough or tight, look flaky or scaly, and sometimes itch. Summer does not rule it out: low humidity, excessive air conditioning, repeated bathing, soap, and rough clothing can all contribute. High temperatures and chlorine in swimming pools can also worsen dryness, particularly in skin affected by eczema. Think about what changed before the dryness started, including your indoor environment, washing habits, and products, rather than assuming warm weather should have fixed it.234

How should I change my summer routine?

Adjust your routine to the season rather than replacing every product, because the bathroom shelf does not need a complete staff turnover. Keep gentle cleansing and moisturizing as the foundation. Avoid antibacterial, deodorant, and scented soaps on dry, sensitive skin. If your skin becomes very dry or raw, soft cotton or silk clothing and fragrance free laundry detergent can help reduce irritation from fabric and washing products.5

1. 1In the morning, apply moisturizer to dry areas. For your face, choose a moisturizer with SPF 30 or higher, or include sunscreen with that level of protection.
2. 2When bathing, use lukewarm water and keep the shower to five to ten minutes. Use a gentle cleanser rather than harsh soap, and focus washing on areas such as your armpits, groin, and feet.
3. 3After bathing, pat your skin until it is no longer dripping but still damp. Apply moisturizer within three minutes to help trap that water.
4. 4Before bed, moisturize again. Reapply to dry areas during the day as needed, including after washing your hands.

Do I need to shower more often in summer?

Frequent washing, especially with very hot water, can make dry skin worse. A brief daily shower can be enough; reducing bathing frequency is another option when repeated washing is contributing to dryness. The useful change is to avoid unnecessary long or repeated washes, not to replace them with a prolonged hot bath. If a doctor has given you a different bathing schedule for an active eczema flare, follow that plan. Regular moisturizer use helps skin retain moisture between washes.23

For a dry skin condition managed with an emollient, a moisturizing cream, gel, or ointment can also be used before bathing and washed off in the bath. An emollient is a product that softens and moisturizes skin. Avoid bubble baths and foaming bath additives in that routine: they can dry skin, and their fragrances and preservatives can inflame sensitive skin.47

Which moisturizer should I use in summer?

Choose the texture for the area and severity of dryness, rather than automatically switching to the lightest product because it is summer. A lighter lotion or gel can suit the face unless the skin is very dry. For dry body skin, use a cream; an ointment is another option for more severe dryness. The drier the skin, the thicker the moisturizer should be, especially on the hands. Different areas can need different products, so a facial lotion does not have to do every job.1245

Pick a moisturizer by its ingredients rather than its price, because the price tag is not doing the moisturizing. Look for humectants, which draw water into the outer skin layer; occlusives, which reduce moisture loss; and emollients, which smooth and soften dry skin. Examples include hyaluronic acid or urea for attracting water, dimethicone or petrolatum for holding it in, and mineral oil or shea for softening. Ceramides are fats that help lock in moisture and can also be useful in a moisturizer.1

Choose fragrance free products, especially if your skin is sensitive. "Unscented" is not the same thing: an unscented product can contain fragrance used to mask other smells. Fragrance free also does not mean free of every possible allergen. Botanical ingredients can cause reactions too, so do not treat a plant based label as a reason to ignore ingredients that already irritate your skin.16

How do I handle air conditioning and summer heat?

Cooling a room can help limit exposure to summer heat, but excessive air conditioning can create a drying environment. Pay attention to both temperature and how dry the indoor air feels. If you have nummular eczema, which causes spots or patches of eczema, a humidifier can help when indoor air feels dry. Heat and sweating can irritate that sensitive skin, so plan outdoor activities for the coolest parts of the day when possible. Wear loose clothing made from soft, breathable fabric such as cotton rather than tight or rough clothing.26

Protect dry hands from more than the weather

Detergents, solvents, and cleaning chemicals can aggravate dryness. Wear protective gloves for chores such as washing dishes, cleaning, and gardening. For nummular eczema, cotton liners under waterproof gloves help prevent further irritation. Moisturize after handwashing, and remove rings before washing if you have that condition. Rinse soap thoroughly from your hands. If a product causes immediate stinging or itching, avoid the irritant rather than continuing to apply it.36

What improvement should I expect?

Moisturizers soften rough skin, help prevent cracking, and support the skin's protective barrier. Most people can manage dry skin with daily moisturizing and fewer drying exposures. Moisturizing is a year round habit, not a seasonal contract with your bathroom. Dryness can improve when contributing factors are controlled, although a tendency to dry skin can persist. If you have eczema, moisturizer supports treatment rather than replacing it; inflammation sometimes needs prescription treatment.2456

When should I see a doctor?

Arrange a medical assessment if dryness does not improve with moisturizing and gentler washing, keeps returning, or comes with a persistent rash. Do not wait for bleeding cracks or severe itching before getting help. Open cracks and sores allow germs into the skin and need care as wounds. Medication can also contribute to dryness, including oral retinoids and diuretics, so mention your medicines at the appointment. A clinician can assess whether the problem is straightforward dryness or a skin condition needing a different treatment.245