Your skin has special needs in summer, but there are plenty of products that can give it lots of TLC. (Getty)
Summer 2025 is still kicking and as a beauty editor, I've fully shifted daily regimen to products that can better support my skin during these last sizzling days. I've talked with countless dermatologists over the years, so I know that what my face needs when it's 95°F and humid is a lot different than when it's a frigid, wind-whipping -5°.
According to Los Angeles-based cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban, summer can wreak havoc on our faces, a fact that's especially true for older skin that lacks the bounce it once had. "If you have to be in the sun, wear a hat, sunglasses and sun-protective clothing," she explains. To best support summer skin at home, Shamban says you should trade long, hot baths for shorter, more tepid showers and focus on hydration — not just via ample H2O intake, but by eating more fresh fruits and vegetables with high water content.
As for makeup, she says, "Lay off the heavy, full-face foundation in hot summer months, which can trap bacteria and clog pores. Instead, opt for lighter noncomedogenic makeup options — there are now so many multi-tasking products that can serve as a primer and a light lotion foundation with full SPF that can be skin saviors in summer."
I asked Shamban and Dr. Dara Spearman, a board-certified dermatologist, for the products they recommend most as the thermostat rises.
The first rule of warm-weather skin care? Getting serious about clearing your face of accumulated grime after a hot day. "You should always use a gentle cleanser to wash away debris, sweat and oil," says Spearman. "Also, I recommend showering with cooler or even cold water to keep the skin cool and promote better blood flow — hot showers tend to dry out the skin even more."
EltaMD's sunscreens are considered best in class by every dermatologist I've ever interviewed. Spearman especially loves this gel version, which she say is excellent for those with sensitive skin: "It's fragrance-free, which I love, and contains zinc oxide to protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays."
If I didn't already own Omnilux's Light Therapy Mask, I'd be picking it up right now. Within days of first using this product, my skin looked tighter, particularly around my cheekbones. Within six weeks, the wrinkles on my forehead appeared less deep and so did those around my mouth. My complexion was clearer overall. The results of this mask, when used consistently, were subtle but apparent — my pores were smaller, my face looked softer and my skin had a bit of a glow. My conclusion: With regular use (10 minutes per day, 4-5 times per week), the Omnilux mask works, which is why I named it best LED face mask of the year.
When the weather's truly swampy, both Spearman and Shamban recommend cleansing skin with gentle toner pads, like these from RoC. "Due to the heat, we tend to sweat more, so I recommend toner pads to wipe off excess oils and debris," Spearman says.
If toner pads feel too harsh, Shamban suggests a liquid toner formulated with skin-nourishing ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides. Specifically, she says this one from CeraVe "helps to balance and brighten skin while removing any additional residue on the skin's surface."
"This is a highly effective face wash with an advanced cleansing complex," says Shamban. "What I like about it is it's tough enough to remove waterproof sunscreen and heavy makeup while remaining gentle on the skin. It's a silky oil that morphs into an emulsion with pumpkin enzymes and vitamin E, so it also exfoliates and provides antioxidant support."
Shamban champions this hypoallergenic scrub from CeraVe for clearing away summer-skin gunk: "It's hydrating because it contains glycerin and it gently exfoliates without irritation," she says. "Plus, the addition of vitamins B5 and E provide skin barrier support."
I've tried literally dozens of products to reduce the appearance of my giant pores and eradicate my copious nose blackheads, and this is by far the most effective. Just a few drops of the watery formula shrank the dime-size pores on my upper cheeks and around my nose within a week.
It's easy to use, non-irritating and works unbelievably well to gently clear out skin grime. I apply it after splashing water on my face at night, about three times a week.
"This is my go-to seasonal transition moisturizer for dry aging skin, it's ideal if you're looking for a product to take you from summer into fall," shares Senior Beauty Editor Jennifer Romolini. "It's lightweight, non-greasy, ultra-hydrating and packed with skin-quenching ingredients like hyaluronic acid to plump up your hot-weather-worn dermis and give your face a glow."
More than 20,000 Amazon customers share her thoughts — that's how many purchased this top-seller in the past month alone. At 45% off, it's down to one of its best prices all year.
This unique gizmo uses red, blue and violet light therapy to kill acne-causing bacteria and boost the skin's natural repair function. Shamban, who helped design the device, recommends it specifically for helping skin regenerate from sun exposure, tightening lax skin and improving rough texture. When I tried it earlier this year, it improved the appearance of crepey skin on my 52-year-old neck.
"One of the best ways to care for your skin in summer is to exfoliate often to remove dead skin cells," says Spearman. Adds Shamban: "Exfoliating also helps to ensure that the actives and antioxidants in your skin care can penetrate and that excess sebum and bacteria are not trapped on the surface, causing blemishes."
"Always always moisturize," says Spearman. "Summertime can cause dry skin due to dehydration from sun exposure and things like the sand and ocean water, so it's important to keep the skin hydrated."
"SPF is definitely essential and should be used regularly," Spearman says. "If you are going to be in the sun all day or in the pool/ocean, it's of course important to reapply." Most experts I've spoken with recommend setting a timer and slathering on a fresh coat of sunscreen every hour.
Related: The best sunscreens for sensitive skin
If you'd been considering picking up an LED mask, now may be the ideal time — experts like Shamban recommend red-light masks and devices specifically for use on summer skin. "Red light therapy is a great treatment to help reduce inflammation, stimulate collagen production and enhance wound healing — all beneficial for repairing sun-damaged skin throughout the summer," she says.
