How do I care for my skin in hot weather?

Should I change my skincare routine in summer?

Adjust the products that no longer suit your skin, rather than replacing everything. Cleanser, moisturizer and daytime sunscreen remain the foundation throughout the year. Summer sweat and oil buildup can make skin more prone to breakouts, so a gentle gel or foaming cleanser and a lighter moisturizer can be useful swaps. Dry skin still benefits from a hydrating cleanser. Your routine needs a weather adjustment, not a seasonal rebranding.124

How should I apply my products?

1. 1Cleanse gently in the morning. Use your hands rather than an abrasive cloth, and choose a mild cleanser suited to your skin.
2. 2Apply an optional serum after cleansing. If you already use vitamin C, morning is a suitable time; vitamin C supports sun protection but does not replace sunscreen.
3. 3Apply moisturizer. Choose the texture for how your skin feels now, rather than automatically using your winter cream.
4. 4Apply sunscreen after skincare and before makeup. Cover your face and all other skin that clothing leaves exposed, and apply it 15 minutes before going outdoors.
5. 5Cleanse again before bed and remove makeup. Apply any nighttime treatment you use, then moisturizer; retinoids need some additional care, explained below.

Also wash after sweating. Keep that wash gentle: scrubbing and gritty cleansers can damage the skin barrier, the outer layer that holds moisture in. More force does not make cleansing more useful. A morning and evening wash, with an extra wash after sweating, is different from repeatedly scrubbing your face because it feels oily.26

What moisturizer should I use in hot weather?

Choose a lightweight moisturizer that does not clog pores if your skin becomes oilier in summer. A very rich moisturizer can contribute to breakouts or milia, the tiny white cysts that sometimes appear on skin. A cream does not earn extra credit for being difficult to wear. If your skin remains dry, keep moisturizing rather than switching purely because the calendar says summer.134

Apply moisturizer while skin is still damp after bathing, and whenever it feels dry. This matters on summer trips too: airplane cabins and a change of climate can leave skin drier. Moisturizer helps hold water in the skin, including when treatments such as retinol cause dryness.35

Can hot weather cause breakouts?

Yes. Sweat and oil buildup in summer can make breakouts more likely, and heavy layers of lotion, sunscreen and makeup can contribute for some people. If that combination coincides with more pimples, try removing the separate lotion layer rather than removing sunscreen. Keep cleansing mild, and remove makeup before bed. Face oils are another layer to reconsider if your skin is oily: they can trap material against the skin and contribute to acne.45

How do I keep sunscreen from feeling greasy in summer?

Start by reducing unnecessary layers underneath sunscreen. A moisturizer with sunscreen can simplify the routine, provided it offers the protection you need. For oily skin, look for sunscreen labelled "noncomedogenic" or "won't clog pores". Those words help with product selection; they do not describe how matte the finish will feel. You can choose mineral or chemical sunscreen based on which you will use consistently.126

Do not solve a greasy finish by applying less sunscreen: a thin application reduces protection. Powder sunscreen can serve as a touchup, but should not be your only sunscreen for the day. Makeup with SPF is not a convenient substitute either, because maintaining its protection requires reapplication. SPF printed on a makeup bottle does not cancel the rest of the sunscreen instructions.267

How much sun protection do I need?

Choose broad spectrum protection, which covers UVA and UVB rays, with SPF 30 or higher. Use a water resistant formula for swimming or sweaty outdoor activities. Apply generously to every exposed area, including ears, neck, hands and exposed scalp. Adults covering the entire body need around 6 to 8 teaspoons. Reapply every two hours and straight after swimming, sweating or towel drying, even with water resistant sunscreen.17

Add shade, protective clothing, sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat; sunscreen is not enough on its own. In the UK, the strongest sun is generally between 11am and 3pm from March to October. Check the local UV index, and consider protection when it reaches 3. Cloudy weather does not rule out sunburn, and UV exposure through car or airplane windows can still damage skin.37

Can I still use retinol and vitamin C?

You do not need to stop retinol simply because it is summer. Retinol and prescription Retin A belong at night because sunlight can deactivate them; careful sunscreen use remains essential. Retinoids are a group of vitamin A based skin treatments. For a retinoid, wait 20 to 30 minutes after washing before applying it. If it is too drying, apply a moisturizer that does not clog pores immediately after washing, then wait 20 to 30 minutes before the retinoid.24

Keep optional treatments focused on a concern you actually have. Avoid duplicating retinol across a serum and moisturizer. If your skin is sensitive, introduce active ingredients gradually with a dermatologist's guidance. Vitamin C and chemical exfoliating acids can be a troublesome combination, so adding more actives is not automatically an improvement.156

When should I expect results or stop a product?

Introduce only one new product at a time so you can identify a reaction. Keep a tolerated routine consistent: assessing whether a skincare product works takes at least 30 days, and improvements from regular nonprescription retinol use can take about three months. Changing everything every weekend mainly makes the suspect list longer.126

Stop a product that irritates your skin. If you develop a rash or other signs of skin irritation, arrange a dermatologist appointment. For sensitive skin on holiday, bring your usual products rather than relying on fragranced hotel toiletries.35

If you get sunburn, cool the skin with water or a cool bath or shower, then apply a soothing aftersun product. Stay out of the sun until redness has gone. Seek medical help if you feel unwell or the skin swells badly or blisters. Report a new mole, growth or lump, or a patch that changes size, shape or colour, to a doctor promptly.7