Experts insist that skin needs extra hydration in summer. The dermocosmetics specialists from Ambari, Byoode, and Medik8 give the explanation.
It is mentioned in the news, it is mentioned on social media, it is repeated in pharmacies… everyone agrees that hydrating the skin in summer is extremely important. However, this insistence can be difficult to understand, because it is precisely in summer when the skin can feel greasier than ever, and applying moisturizing cosmetics can cause hesitation. What if hydrating the skin actually makes it feel even heavier? To try to understand why there is so much insistence on hydrating, several experts have been consulted, who have given the keys to this advice: the hydration that seems excessive actually lacks moisture and contains grease, which can lead to some problems if not treated properly.
Why does the skin feel greasy in summer?
To understand this well, two fundamental reasons must be considered: in very dry areas, such as regions like Madrid, Castilla León, Castilla La Mancha, or the interior of Andalucía, the skin dehydrates due to the lack of ambient moisture, which produces this effect. “When this happens, the skin is unable to produce more moisture, but in the attempt to do so, it generates grease,” explains Raquel González, cosmetologist and technical director of Perricone MD.
In addition, certain cosmetic products can increase the sensation of greasy skin. “Most sunscreens can provide lipids to the skin, giving it a greasy feel. This happens because most existing protective filters are liposoluble, that is, they must be combined with oily sources to formulate them. In addition, many contain vitamin E and more fatty components,” details Estefanía Nieto, dermocosmetics director of Medik8. And, of course, as the use of cosmetics with SPF increases significantly in summer, it can happen that this influences the skin feeling greasier than normal.
Why is it so important to hydrate the skin in summer?
Just because the skin feels greasy doesn’t mean it is hydrated. “The skin needs water through humectant agents, such as hyaluronic acid, and oily components that are incorporated into the skin barrier to retain that moisture. In summer, what usually happens is that there is a lot of these later, but not enough of the former,” clarifies Lara González, cosmetologist at Byoode.
If you live in very dry places or work in environments with a lot of air conditioning, the hydration of the skin may suffer. How will it be noticeable? “When the skin dehydrates in summer, it can feel tight, dull, or even irritated, and if it is not moisturized periodically, it will start to become excessively greasy,” specifies Marta Agustí, dermocosmetics director of Omorovicza.
How to hydrate the skin without making it greasy?
This can be done in two ways: “we must provide moisture to the skin through oil-free products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol, or bisabolol,” says Mireia Fernández, dermocosmetics director of Boutijour. But as a second option, if the skin feels very greasy, additional steps should be added to the routine to prevent shine. “That’s why it is so important to exfoliate in summer and apply principles that regulate sebum on the skin, such as salicylic and glycolic acids, at least twice a week if using a serum or mask, or even daily if using a toner,” concludes Isabel Reverte, dermocosmetics director of Ambari.
Products to hydrate the skin in summer and avoid a greasy appearance:
1. Hyaluronic & Okra Allegory from Byoode: Highly moisturizing and soothing serum rich in Madecassoside (centella asiatica) and triple molecular weight hyaluronic acid and Okra extract, a powerful skin softener with scar healing, moisturizing, and soothing effects. It also contains antioxidants that protect and offer powerful activity against free radicals, the main agents of aging. Price: 55€ on Byoode.com.
2. Hydr8 B5 from Medik8: Serum with high doses of multiple molecular weight hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 for complete skin hydration, ideal for filling in those little wrinkles around the lips and hydrating them. Price: 59 € on Medik8.es.
3. Hyaluronic Intensive Moisturizer from Perricone MD: Moisturizing gel-cream with hydrating hyaluronic acid, soothing niacinamide, and antioxidant, protective, and energizing rosemary extract. With a light texture to counteract SPF. Price: 78 € on Perriconemd.es.
4. Snow Lotus Lifting Serum from Boutijour: Serum with niacinamide and provides vitamin C through camellia flower extract. You can take advantage of the antioxidant properties of this ingredient with the certainty that the skin will feel comfortable, thanks to the balanced concentration and the inclusion of other components such as niacinamide, known for and hyaluronic acid, known for its hydrating capacity. Price: 69 € on Purenichelab.com.
5. Cushioning Day Cream from Omorovicza: Moisturizing cream that, in addition to containing marine plankton with a filling effect, hydrates and improves the natural synthesis of collagen. It includes a combination of algae with antioxidant power and reduces skin cortisol levels. The regenerating thermal complex and the moisturizing micro-reservoirs with active ingredients that moisturize throughout the day to keep the face in optimal condition all day complete its formula. Price: 145 € on Purenichelab.com.
6. AM Active 10 Essence from Ambari: Essence that calms the skin during exfoliation by working with a broad-spectrum oil with cannabidiol. Its exfoliating power is in the 10% of alphahydroxy acids that make up the formula. Price: 105€ on Purenichelab.com.
Source: MiMub in Spanish
