Every summer, the same set of skin concerns starts showing up, sudden acne, tanning that won’t go away easily, and skin that just feels uncomfortable through the day. A lot of it has less to do with the heat
itself and more to do with the fact that people don’t really change their routines when the weather changes.
Dr Ritesh Anand, founder of the Centre for Aesthetics, Gurgaon, says, “Skin behaves differently in summer. There’s more sweating, more oil production, and constant exposure to the sun. But routines often stay the same, and that’s usually where things start going wrong.”
One very common mistake is continuing with heavy creams. What feels nourishing in winter can feel too much in summer. When the skin is already producing oil, layering thick moisturisers on top can make it worse. Pores get clogged more easily, and breakouts follow. In most cases, just switching to something lighter even a simple gel moisturiser helps the skin settle down.
Sunscreen is another area where people think they’re doing enough, but usually aren’t. Applying it once in the morning is good, but not sufficient in hot weather. Sweat, heat, and even just time reduce its effectiveness. By midday, most of it has already worn off. Reapplying is important, especially if you’re outdoors, but it’s a step people tend to skip.
Then there’s over-cleansing. Because the skin feels sticky, people wash their face again through the day. It feels clean for a while, but over time, it makes things worse. The skin barrier gets disturbed, and the skin tries to compensate by producing more oil. So it becomes a cycle. Usually, keeping it to two or three washes a day is enough.
A lot of people also stop using moisturiser altogether because their skin feels oily. That’s another misconception. Oily does not always mean hydrated. In fact, with constant sun exposure, the skin can lose water and become dehydrated underneath. That’s when it starts feeling tight or uneven. The trick is not to skip moisturiser, but to change the type.
Exfoliation is something people either overdo or ignore completely. With sweat, sunscreen, and pollution building up, the skin does need some level of exfoliation. But harsh scrubs, especially in summer, can irritate the skin more than help it. Keeping it gentle and occasional works better.
What often gets missed is that skincare isn’t just about products. Small things like staying hydrated, avoiding direct sun during peak hours, or even wearing a cap or sunglasses can make a visible difference over time. In the end, summer skincare is really about adjusting, not adding. The skin is already dealing with enough in hot weather. Keeping things lighter, simpler, and more consistent usually works better than doing too much
