20 tips for keeping your skin hydrated in the summer

Surprise, surprise. The top tip for staying hydrated in the summer is to drink plenty of water. The impact water has on your skin and overall health cannot be understated. When it’s hot outside, make sure you’re replenishing your body with water more than usual. 

All moisturizers are hydrating, but some come with a little extra oomph. When it’s hot outside, and you can feel your skin drying out, use your favorite extra-hydrating lotion to lock in moisture. Make sure you pay attention to your entire body, too — not just your face. 

It might not be necessary where you live, but if you need some more humidity in your life, use a humidifier. If there’s moisture in the air around you, your skin will be able to drink it up. It may not solve all of your hydration problems, but it’s a good addition to your arsenal. 

Sunscreen protects your skin from the sun, keeping it moisturized. However, it doesn’t work as well if you don’t use it properly. Make sure to reapply sunscreen as often as recommended to keep your skin super soft and supple. If you’re wearing makeup, use tinted sunscreen to keep your glam intact. 

If you’re cleansing your skin with an abrasive cleanser, it’s a good idea to switch during the summer so your skin can better retain moisture. At the very least, switch on and off so you can still reap the benefits of a more intense cleanser while staying moisturized. 

Water isn’t the only thing to consume to get hydrated. There are lots of fruits and vegetables that are high in water content that can help you feel more moisturized in the summer. Watermelon, berries, and cucumbers are a few options to consider. 

Face masks are another good trick to keep up your sleeve when it comes to hydration. Don’t expect them to work wonders. They’ll likely only provide surface hydration, but they’ll make your skin feel good, and wearing one will help in your hydration journey. 

Wearing makeup is a great way to dry out your skin. There are plenty of tricks to make it less drying, but ultimately, your foundation is going to suck some moisture from your skin. The best way to avoid that is by going makeup-free as much as possible. If you can’t, look into tinted sunscreens and moisturizers to lessen the drying effects.

The longer you leave your makeup on, the more it’s going to dry out your skin. Sleeping in your makeup is never a good idea, but it’s even worse in the summer when you’re already fighting dry skin. 

If it’s an option, get a facial. Plenty of spa treatments add moisture back to your body and give you a beautiful glow. They can be quite expensive, but if you have some extra cash, it’s a great way to treat yourself and take care of your skin at the same time. 

If you need a little moisture throughout the day, carry some moisturizing mist with you. It won’t ruin how you look, and it’ll add a little life to your dry skin. These come in all price ranges and sizes, so there should be a good option for you to keep on hand. 

Sunscreen does wonders, but there’s no better way to beat the drying effects of the sun than to stay out of it altogether. Now, you can’t totally avoid the sun in the summer. You have to go outside sometimes. But try to go outside either early in the day or in the evening to avoid the sun at its harshest times. And when you are outside, try to stay in the shade. 

There are all sorts of best practices for keeping your skin hydrated during your skincare routine, including using warm water when cleansing. Hot water might feel better, but it’s going to strip your skin of its moisture. 

Beyond eating fruits and veggies with high water content, make sure you’re keeping a well-rounded diet. Get all the minerals and nutrients you need to keep your body balanced. A balanced body is a hydrated body, and a hydrated body means hydrated skin.

Sleep and water work wonders. If your skin isn’t feeling its best, it could be that you’re keeping a poor sleep schedule. Stay hydrated by staying well rested.   

If you get lazy about your skincare, your skin is going to start acting up. Keep it hydrated by maintaining your skincare routine all season long, even on the latest summer nights. It doesn’t have to be several steps. Cleansing and moisturizing will do. But make sure you’re getting it done each night. 

Exfoliation is great for keeping your skin clear but can also be very drying. It’s a skincare step that should be used in moderation, to begin with, but if you’re finding yourself getting super dry in the summer heat, exfoliate sparingly. 

Medicated creams are great at fighting acne, but they’re also very drying. Consult with your dermatologist before making any adjustments to your skincare routine if it includes a medication, but if you’re using a topical medication, ask about using it less to give your skin some time to regain moisture. 

When your skin loses moisture, the most delicate areas are most affected. Keep those areas extra moisturized with specialized products, like eye creams. Use an eye cream anywhere you have fine lines. 

Hyaluronic acid is a great ingredient for moisturizing your skin. And good news: It’s in tons of products. From specialized serums to basic moisturizers, finding hyaluronic acid is easy and will do your skin a lot of good this summer.