Because apparently, your skin didn’t get the memo about “dewy summer glow.”

Summer should be the season of glowing skin, natural highlights, and pretending your SPF is a personality trait. But if your face is feeling tight, flaky, or weirdly dry despite the heat and humidity, you’re not imagining it — summer dryness is real.

Let’s bust some myths and break down why your skin might be freaking out in July, and more importantly, how to fix it.

Myth #1: “You can’t have dry skin when it’s hot.”

Reality: Oh yes, you can. Heat and humidity feel like they should hydrate your skin, but they can actually do the opposite.

Sweating, sun exposure, chlorine, over-cleansing, and long hours in air conditioning all pull moisture from your skin. So while your forehead might be shiny, the rest of your face could be quietly begging for hydration.

Myth #2: “Sweating keeps your skin hydrated.”

Reality: Sadly, no. Sweat may look like moisture, but it's actually dehydrating. When you sweat, your skin loses both water and essential minerals.

To make it worse, we often wipe it away or wash our faces more often in summer, which can strip your natural oils and leave your skin feeling dry, tight, or irritated. So no — sweating is not skincare.

Myth #3: “Air conditioning helps cool and calm the skin.”

Reality: It does feel amazing, but air con is a moisture thief. It sucks the humidity out of the air, and your skin along with it.

After a day in an air-conditioned office, car, or airplane, don’t be surprised if your skin feels tight or looks dull. That cool air is dry air — and dry air is never your skin’s best friend.

So, What Can You Do About It?

Here’s your Summer Skin Survival Guide — no coconut oil required:

1. Switch to a Gentle, Hydrating Cleanser

Harsh foaming cleansers are often too much in summer. Choose something gentle and non-stripping to cleanse without removing every last trace of moisture.

2. Layer Hydration (and Seal It In)

Start with a hydrating serum rich in ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or panthenol. These act like water magnets, drawing moisture into your skin.

Follow up with a moisturiser to seal it all in. And yes, even oily or acne-prone skin needs moisturiser — skipping it only makes your skin produce more oil to compensate.

3. Avoid Over-Exfoliating

In summer, it’s tempting to scrub your skin into “smoothness,” especially if it’s feeling rough or congested. But over-exfoliating just damages your skin barrier and leads to more dryness.

Stick to gentle exfoliants, 1–2 times a week max, and avoid anything that feels like sandpaper. Your skin is not a kitchen sink — no need to scour it.

4. Hydrating Mists Are Your Friend

A quick spritz of a hydrating facial mist during the day can refresh your skin and provide a boost of moisture when the AC is doing its worst. Just remember to follow it with moisturiser, or it’ll evaporate and leave you drier than before.

5. Look for Ingredients That Work

When choosing your products, look for ingredients like:

• Hyaluronic Acid

• Glycerin

• Squalane

• Vitamin E

• Aloe Vera

These hydrate, soothe, and support your skin barrier — exactly what you need when your skin feels dry, hot, or stressed out.

Final Thoughts

Summer doesn’t automatically mean hydrated skin — in fact, it can be one of the most dehydrating seasons of all. The sun, sweat, AC, and constant cleansing all take their toll.

But with the right routine and a little extra attention to hydration, your skin can stay calm, smooth, and glowing all summer long — without flakes, tightness, or random dry patches.

So next time you find yourself wondering how your skin is somehow both sweaty and dry at the same time — just know, you’re not alone. And your skin? It's totally fixable.