I was going to make this an Instagram post only, but I can see it going longer--so lets talk about summer dry skin favorites. In the summer I need to switch up my skincare routine a little. I'm always dry year round, but I live in a very hot and humid climate. Summer here is brutal to say the least. I have rosacea and tend to get more irritated in the winter usually related to extra dryness. I rarely get congested anymore nor break out--due to lack of oil production--even in the summer. I do however get more grimey feeling by the end of the day due to heat, high humidity, sweating etc.
I'm able to get away with a little exfoliation in the summer whereas in the winter it's just supportive and barrier focused. Ultimately I still lean more sensitive so my summer favs for dry skin will still be gentle and not acid focused like it could be for those who are not sensitive. This is just a quick overview, not a full in depth review of each item. I was going to start with cleansers which is such a vital part of summer skincare.
I love oil based cleansers for dry skin, even in the summer. They never leave me dry or stripped. I might go towards some lighter oil based ones in the summer texture wise. LOVINAH makes several great oil based cleansers. The Dragon's Blood BHA Cleansing Oil smells like berries, emulsifies plus it has encapsulated salicylic acid. It's non-irritating, non-drying and perfect to de-grime myself. The Power C Vitamin Cleansing Balm is thinner for a balm, emulsifies and also smells like berries. The Ocean Rituals AHA + BHA Cleansing Balm is nice. It's blue with a citrus scent and has de-clogging BHA plus a little AHA. I can actually handle it in a wash off version versus leave on. Another great summer on is the Seed to Skin The Divine Cleanser which has a jelly texture, smells like citrus and has clay which helps with summer grime a little. It's a great night cleanser after a hot day.
African Botanics Pure Marula Cleansing Oil has a gel texture but functions like a cleansing oil. It emulsifies, feels light, smells like an orange creamsicle. It does have a few AHAs from natural sources so it's not a daily cleanser as with all acid cleansers for me, but nice now and then especially on a grimey day. I will even use this on occasion in the winter as well. Renee Rouleau Better Than Balm is a super light gel texture oil based cleanser. It's thin, emulsifies and smells like a hint of roses but nothing too string, faint. Bloomeffects Royal Tulip Cleansing Jelly is nice. It has a bit thicker gel oil texture and smells faintly sweet. Must be from the tulip extract, it's not a strong or really noticeable floral scent though. I almost thought it was a warm sweet nutty scent at first. Kat Burki Vitamin C Cleansing Balm is the only one that doesn't emulsify. This one has a jiggly jelly texture and smells fresh like cucumber which is why I like it.
Krave Makeup Re-Wined is the last oil based one I listed. It's a thin gel texture but oil based. Emulsifies and smells like grapes (non-sweet ones). Adore this one to death and I'm on tube two already. All of these I listed are lighter oil based cleansers which is why I like them in the summer. ELEMIS AHA Glow Cleansing Butter is a thick creamy cleanser with enzymes to gently exfoliate. I love it as a morning cleanser. I love a creamy cleanser more than a gel for dry skin. Ferver Cleansing Milk is an affordable runny textured milk meets gel but functions as a creamy milk cleanser. It's unique plus has kombucha. PSA Reset is a lighter creamy cleanser with acai, Manuka honey and yogurt. Great for summer. If you want a little more substantial creamy cleanser that doesn't leave a film try Sente Daily Soothing Cleanser. It has a glossy creamy texture almost like a hybrid but really is more creamy than gel function wise.
While I don't really use gels anymore there are three cleansers that are more in that category than oil based or creamy textured. African Botanics Baobab Clay Oxygenating Cleanser is a thick gel with a citrus/sandalwood/jasmine scent. It has clay so it helps clarify and is good as a second cleanse when I've been outside in the heat and humidity. I don't use it all the time but it's really nice to have around. Revision Papaya Enzyme Cleanser is a runny gel cleanser that smells like papaya. It has enzymes to help gently exfoliate. I do not use it often, once a week at most. Usually it's a shower cleanser but could be second cleanse. Twelve Beauty Dara's Water is unique and in a class of its own. It's a watery cleanser so not even a gel. It uses natural sugars and humectants to clean the skin without surfactants. It actually even removed makeup for me, I was shocked. You apply, then rinse with water after. Even though it seems like a gel, or micellar water kind of cleanser it's never drying for me. It's a fabulous morning cleanser. Love it. Lasts forever too.
Most of the cleansers I listed are fragrance free but a few do have essential oils like African Botanics, Seed to Skin and Renee Rouleau has added fragrance but it's pretty light. Sometimes the LOVINAH ones are potent from the fruit extracts and can a little spicy for my skin, so if you're really sensitive might consider not using them often or on good days. I don't like gels even in the summer as they tend to be drying for me. However, if I had to list a few I would use it's probably VENN All-In-One Cleanser, The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, The Ordinary Glycolipid Cream Cleanser (says cream but really more creamy gel) or Minimalist Oat Extract Gentle Cleanser.
I am able to use lighter creams in the summer. I still use barrier style creams, you might see creams I use in the winter during the day at night in the summer. It's so hot and humid here so I just need a little bit less in the summer even though I'm still dry. I'll start with night creams as those are always my favorite. TATCHA Indigo Overnight Repair is a glossy soothing dream. I use two layers and then seal if I need to, usually in the summer I don't, in the winter I do. This one has just the most amazing texture. Zelens 3t Complex is another great thick juicy glossy cream. It has ursolic acid and really makes my skin sing. It's been a favorite of mine for years. The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + PytoCeramides is a glossy rich cream. It's new so this is not the old one you're used to. It's great for dry skin, use two layers. VENN Concentrated Revitalizing Lifting Mask is a great overnight cream. You can use it as a wash off, but yeah not wasting it on that for me. It's glossy and two layers will be best for dry skin. Has their patented ginseng compound k ingredient. You get some anti-aging with this one. Sisley Velvet Sleeping Mask is a bouncy slightly whipped cream that looks light but it really lasts all night. It's soothing too. Dr Sam's Flawless Revival Mask I use as a night cream. You can use it as a mask but I just use it as a cream. It's a more lipid rich version of the moisturizer. It's the bomb for a glossy cream for dry skin. Biologique Recherche Creme VG Derm is like a lighter version of Vernix. So it's great in the summer or for less dry skin.
Fresh Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask is also a similar texture to Sisley Velvet Mask, that fluffy bouncy style that looks rich but it's not too heavy. It also lasts well. This one has a hint of fragrance but it's light and not irritating to me. Vanicream Moisturizing Cream is my favorite affordable cream. Yes it's a body cream and not with the most elegant texture but for under $10 for dry skin it works both winter and summer. Now lets go with day creams. Neogenesis Barrier Repair Renewal Cream is a glossy, juicy gel cream with cholesterol, ceramides, fatty acids and hydrators. Great for a day cream. Acaderma Better With Age Rich Cream is this glossy gel cream that smells like the coffee extract in it. Love it in the summer as a day cream. Skinbetter Science Trio is a luxe barrier ceramide lotion that has such a silky feel. There's nothing really like it texture wise it's nice in the summer. Biologique Recherche Creme Verte Espoir AR is a great day cream. It's for rosacea so think calming, it has a light lotion like texture. Great for days. Sente Dermal Repair Cream is light like a lotion. It's not super lipid rich feeling so it's a day product. It has their patented analog technology for soothing and redness.
I did not pick serums to pick in this post because honestly they're the same year round for me. However, NIOD NAAP is a non-acid serum that lets you exfoliate gently with amino isolates and fermented ingredients. If you're sensitive but want a summer congestion kick this is nice. As far as facial oils go I love YOU Skincare Tranquil Facial Oil in the summer. It's so lightweight and not heavy, feels light as a breeze. OUMERE Serum Bioluminelle is a oil serum hybrid like an emulsion. It really feels like a light oil though. It has ursolic acid and lots of other things I love. It just makes my skin so firm I love it. Plus it's a cool beaker. I have two masks I do love for gentle exfoliation and they get more use in the summer. The YOU Skincare Congestion Clearing Enzyme Mask is a gel textured product that really packs a punch exfoliation wise. Like two minutes at most on and you're done. Smooth as a baby's butt. Save 10% on YOU with my code thebeautyendeavor. Fresh Sugar Face Polish has brown sugar, strawberries and it helps hydrate and lightly exfoliate. I don't scrub it on, I only apply on wet skin in the shower and let it sink in while showering. When I rinse I feel very soft and it's not drying.
Summer comes with high heat and humidity here so I need a cool down from redness a lot. I love cooling globes or the cryo sticks. Do not buy the overpriced ones. You can get these cryo sticks on Amazon cheap HERE and the cooling globes at Target HERE. As a bonus the cryo sticks can cool your wine down with no ice needed. Thank me later. I also need to regularly use my LED mask to calm inflammation and redness from the heat so I use my Omnilux mask all the time. Worth its weight in gold. I do have a 15% off code MICHELLE. See my post HERE about LED more. I do still use barrier occlusives even in the summer. Aveeno Calm + Restore is lightweight if you want a really light one that isn't too heavy or greasy. Aquaphor is still my ultimate and I may use it in the summer as well. Depends on my needs. It's lighter than Vaseline and feels better than CeraVe on my skin.
Sunscreen is huge for me all year due to the heat index here but it's really way important in the summer when the sun is like burning down on you. It's pigmentation and irritation city without it. Body wise Riemann P20 and EVY Kids will be my go tos for their longevity. You can beat Korean sunscreen for it's lightweight texture and less oily feel. All of these are great for summertime. You can shop them on this list HERE with descriptions of everything. I do like Heliocare Water Gel in the summer because it's super lightweight, great on really humid days. It's less moisturizing than Korean ones. Mesoestetic Sun Protection Stick may be a bit oily feeling but you can't beat the high level of protection with portability. I take this in my bag everywhere in the summer and use it on my forehead or under my eyes if I'm outside a lot. Ultrasun Lip Balm is the best SPF 50 out there. Doesn't taste bad like many can. EVY Daily Defense Mousse may be a bit hydrating but if' you're dry it's fine in the summer. You'll get a high level of protection and their patented barrier repair base. See review HERE. If I had to pick a mineral it would be Priori. It's tinted, waterproof and forms a nice barrier film. Plus it has DNA repair enzymes too. As always use hats and other things in the sun as well.
For body products I do go lighter. I'm not a big body oil fan. For lotions as always CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion has been a go to for me for at least ten years. I use it on my kid too. Lightweight, doesn't feel greasy which is needed in summer. QV Eczema Daily Cream is hard to get here in the US. One place has it. The Aussie lotion is so good. It has a slippery more hydrating feel than CeraVe. I really hope they expand more or get more overseas suppliers one day. Cocokind Sake Body Lotion is light. It has a nice profile and no scent if you don't want it to mix with your fragrance. Doesn't feel greasy. Fresh Sugar Lemon Body Lotion is another favorite. It's glossy and has this nice lemon scent but it's not heavy by any means. My feet always need more help in the summer. I love Atrac-Tain Cream by Coloplast. It has urea and AHAs which make for a powerful exfoliant for calluses. We use it in hospitals, nurses secret. Just don't overdo this--it can give chemical burns if you use it too often.
I hope this roundup was helpful for you. If you search in the search bars there's tons of reviews on many of these on the blog. Some may be on my Instagram page as well.