Do you have to moisturize your skin in summer, even if it's oily?

With the arrival of heat, humidity, and inevitable shine in the T-zone, many of you - especially those with oily or combination skin - ask us if it is really necessary to use moisturizer in summer. It seems that between sweat and natural oil, the skin doesn't need anything else. But friend, let me tell you, no, it's not enough. Hydrating your skin is essential all year round, and even more so in summer.

Hydrating skin in summer: a must to keep it healthy and beautiful

Hydration is not just another step; in fact, it is one of the essential steps in any routine. It is the foundation of healthy, balanced skin with a strong barrier function, acting as a shield against external aggressors such as sun, pollution, or sudden temperature changes. Did you know that well-hydrated skin is less prone to breakouts, redness, or flaking? Additionally, it retains its own water better, which is key, especially in summer, when skin dehydration is more common than it seems.

I have oily skin, do I need to moisturize in summer?

Oily skin usually feels "moist" already, especially in warmer seasons like summer. But this is one of the most frequent myths: thinking that oily skin does not need hydration.
What we often interpret as "hydrated skin" is actually an excess of sebum, not water. Because yes, oily skin can be dehydrated, and in fact, it often is. Why? Mainly because in an attempt to eliminate shine, we tend to use very astringent products or completely avoid moisturizers. But beware, because this alters the skin's barrier function, leading to greater transepidermal water loss. And this, friend, creates a vicious cycle.

How to hydrate oily skin in summer (without feeling like you're wearing a heavy layer)

The key here is to choose the right format and ingredients. It's not about using "less" hydration, but about using it better. Here are some top options:

• Ultralight formats: hydrating milks or essences that absorb quickly and don't leave a greasy feeling; such as Luminous Milk Essence.

• Look for products that include sebum-regulating active ingredients, such as niacinamide, which help balance sebum production and calm the skin.
• Fresh textures, especially pleasant in summer, like those offered by products such as Cloud Moisturizer, which with its "cloud-like" texture hydrates without adding shine or overloading the skin.

But... isn't sunscreen enough as a moisturizer in the morning?

We have good news for you: many current facial sunscreens include hydrating active ingredients, and for oily skin, especially in summer, this can be enough hydration for your daytime routine. But be careful, because this doesn't mean we should skip hydration altogether throughout the summer. As we saw in this blog, hydrating the skin is always fundamental.
So at night, hydration is mandatory! During the night, the skin enters repair and regeneration mode. If we don't apply an adequate moisturizer —even a light one—, we lose the opportunity to strengthen the skin barrier and rebalance water levels after sun exposure, sweat, and daily pollution.
Not hydrating the skin at least once a day, even with oily skin, can lead to more reactive, dull skin with a more vulnerable barrier function.
But don't worry, there are options! For oily skin in summer, we highly recommend using a milk-textured moisturizer, like Luminous Milk Essence, or a light layer of a night mask -like Midnight Mask- for an extra dose of weekly comfort, without saturating or weighing down the skin.

In the end, it's what we always tell you... listen to your skin! Every skin is unique, and you have to adapt your routine according to its signals. But one thing is clear: hydrating is not optional, it's necessary. So, if your usual moisturizer feels too heavy in summer, change the texture or format, but don't eliminate this key step from your routine.

Do you have any doubts? If you need help finding the best summer moisturizer for your case, remember that you can write to us and we'll be happy to help you.
Hugs, I'll see you at @twopolescosmetics & @partners.incream

Anna
xx