6 Ways to Treat Dry Skin this Summer

Normally, it’s the winter months that are most commonly associated with dry skin. However, dryness can occur in the summer months, too. Between air conditioning, increased sun exposure, and warmer temperatures, your skin can just as easily dry out in the summer as it can in the winter. Additionally, chlorine found in pools can strip the skin of its natural oils, leaving you once again prone to dryness and possibly even skin irritation too.

Ahead, find six tips to treat dry skin this summer.

#1: Hydrate with a Face Mask

Hydrating masks can work wonders for dry skin types. While masks aren’t an essential in a skincare routine, they’re definitely worth including to address specific skin issues or simply to boost your skin’s moisture levels.

Rainbow’s Hydrate Mask deeply moisturizes parched skin thanks to a combination of hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5. Besides its moisturizing abilities, it also helps to plump out fine lines and wrinkles, while giving skin a delightful dewy effect. For best results, we recommend using this mask 2-3 times a week.

#2: Exfoliate Sparingly

When it comes to exfoliation, you need to find the sweet spot between under-exfoliating and over-exfoliating because it’s easy to do either. If you’re exfoliating your skin too often, you could be compromising your skin barrier, resulting in dryness and irritation.

According to board-certified dermatologist Carl Thornfeldt, MD, exfoliation triggers an inflammatory response in the skin, which can lead to several undesirable side effects.

“While acute inflammation helps stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis, long-term inflammation and barrier damage are linked to many skin concerns and conditions— particularly, if the skin is already dry and the skin barrier is more damaged, over-exfoliating exacerbates the problem,” explains Thornfeldt.

Exfoliating too less, on the other hand, prevents skincare products from properly absorbing. It’s important to buff away those dead skin cells on the skin’s surface in order for your serums and lotions to penetrate the skin — and work their very best.

If you have dry or sensitive skin, aim to exfoliate no more than once a week. All other skin types can benefit from exfoliating 2-3 times a week.

Try Rainbow’s Glow Serum. It contains brightening blend of glycolic acid and bakuchiol to sweep away dead skin and illuminate your complexion.

#3: Moisturize!

If you’re dealing with dry skin, make sure you’re finishing your skincare routine with a moisturizer rich in emollients, humectants, and ceramides. These help attract and seal in moisture for long-lasting hydration.

While it may sound obvious, a great moisturizer can work wonders for dry, dehydrated skin. It will replenish your skin's moisture levels and hydrate it in the process.

Our top pick is Rainbow’s Hydrate Serum. Enriched with hyaluronic acid, this formula is lightweight, flash absorbing and incredibly moisturizing.

#4: Switch Your Cleanser

Whenever you’re experiencing some kind of skin concern, start by looking at your daily regimen. Cleansers and harsh soaps, for instance, can be extremely irritating and drying to the skin. If you feel dry, tight, and flaky after using your daily cleanser, it’s time to switch your face wash for something more hydrating and less irritating.

Ideally, you want something enriched with nourishing plant-based oils like coconut oil and argan oil which both promote hydrated, healthy skin. Steer clear of products that contain sulfates, as these are known for causing dry, irritated skin.

By incorporating a gentler cleanser into your routine, you prevent your skin’s natural moisture barrier from becoming compromised, thus preventing dryness and irritation.

#5: Wear SPF

We know you hear it all the time, but it’s so important for maintaining healthy, hydrated skin. Wearing sunscreen every day protects your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays — a known culprit for premature aging, sunburn, and skin cancer.

Even if you’re indoors all day, UV light can still penetrate the windows, so it’s worth slathering on a good sunscreen to keep skin protected. To get the most out of your daily sunscreen, pair it with an antioxidant-rich serum like vitamin C to counteract sun damage.

Our fave vitamin C serum is Rainbow’s Smooth Serum. It’s also powered by vegan collagen, an anti-aging powerhouse that smooths out fine lines and wrinkles.

#6: Drink Up!

According to the derms, dry skin is an inherent skin condition that you’ll probably have to deal with for most of your life. By staying constantly hydrated, you can keep dry skin at bay — and one of the best ways to stay hydrated is by drinking plenty of water.

“When we think of water weight elsewhere on the body, we think of bloating and swelling,” says Ross C. Radusky, a board-certified dermatologist at SoHo Skin & Laser Dermatology. “It's the same thing on our skin. When hydrated, our skin cells swell, and this can be a great thing. It minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and generally makes us look less tired.”

When to See a Dermatologist

If you’re dealing with chronic dryness or a skin condition like atopic dermatitis (eczema) or psoriasis, we advise you to visit a licensed dermatologist in order to receive a treatment plan and proper medication. For some people, it is not enough simply to moisturize and drink lots of water. If you have a skin condition, you will most likely need to be prescribed oral or topical medication to ease your dryness.

Dry skin can affect anyone. While the winter is typically known as being the season where dry skin crops up, you can also experience dryness in the summer months. If you’re still taking hot showers, using the air conditioner a lot, or excessively sweating, your skin’s losing water, which contributes to dryness.

In addition to the tips above, consider investing in a humidifier to inject the air around you with more moisture. Also, try to use cool water instead of hot water in the shower to stop skin from drying out. You could ask try the TikTok famous home remedy known as slugging, which involves layering skin in petroleum jelly or mineral oil, and wearing it overnight. Those with naturally drier skin can benefit from this remedy when performed frequently, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).