My six summer-friendly skincare choices for my super dry skin

Many beauty lovers temporarily put the makeup away in favor of renewed vigor for baking and skincare when summer 2020 was “canceldt” due to the pandemic. Admittedly, I went down the same path, in addition to doubling my efforts in balcony vegetable gardening! Even during the intense heat and lagkit though, my dry skin is still a high-maintenance piece of work that gets exacerbated by the frequent baths and hand washing. Here’s what works for me - my current hot-weather skincare routine that’s preventing my face from getting as leathery as the backs of my hands.

TBH I’ve been bare-faced since March, so I’ve suspended my typical double cleansing habit and skip to facial wash right away. I’m still using the Fourth Ray Beauty Cloud Bank Milky Cleanser, but I alternate it with the pink version of the BCL AHA Renew Purifying Wash (around P300-400), which I picked up in Japan after seeing Liz’s review of the green variant. Limiting its use to once a day gives me a deep clean without causing tightness post-wash.

Instead of toner, I’ve opted for the Laneige Cream Skin Refiner Mist (P1,130 for 120ml from Althea Korea). This is actually a liquid moisturizer that’s easy to incorporate into your beauty routine. The light feel of the formula means it can be used under makeup without causing cakiness, or it can seamlessly go between the toner and serum steps of skincare. BTW, the Refiner Mist has no obvious scent.

Next up is the Laneige White Dew Original Ampoule Essence (P2,190 for 40ml from Althea Korea). While I’m not sure if it really does lighten dark spots because of all the gardening I’m doing, I do enjoy the lightweight liquid-gel consistency that my skin readily absorbs. However, this does have a fairly pronounced minty, floral scent. I’d recommend checking a tester first, if you’re sensitive to fragrance.

For the summer months, I’ve set aside my trusty Nivea Creme in exchange for a lighter moisturizer. Enter the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream (P732 for 56.7g at Sephora.ph), which can be used on both the face and the body. It effectively prevents flakiness, minus any thick, sticky consistency. The formula is also hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. 

And now for some bonus picks I occasionally reach for to amp up the routine!

There has been a lot of buzz in the beauty community surrounding UK brand, The Inkey List, for their affordable price point and no nonsense approach to skincare. The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid (P1,070 for 30ml from Sephora.ph) is actually a hydration booster product meant to be used after the serum step of skincare and prior to moisturizer. It feels velvety on the skin rather than tacky, so it’s a way to layer skincare comfortably during the hotter season.

For days when my skin requires a little extra something something, I reach for some rosehip oil as the final step to lock everything in. Heck, I even use it on the backs of my hands in an attempt to repair the severe skin drying effect of all this frequent hand washing! I’m using Rosehip Plus, an Australian brand that’s unfortunately not available locally. But you can try the Human Nature Pure Rosehip Oil (P795 for 15ml) instead.

Do you usually switch to lighter products for the summer? What are your skincare staples that help you stay hydrated in the heat? Give me your recos below!