The Heatwave Skincare Survival Guide

When temperatures spike, your skin goes into defense mode. Between sweat, sunscreen buildup, urban pollution, and relentless UV exposure, summer brings on a perfect storm of stressors that can overwhelm even the healthiest complexions. The good news? With the right routine, you can keep irritation, dehydration, and clogged pores in check while maintaining a fresh-faced glow. Consider this your heatwave survival guide: smart strategies and expert-approved products to help your skin stay cool, calm, and protected, no matter how high the mercury climbs.

1. Refrigerate Your Skincare

While you probably don’t need to run out and get a dedicated skincare fridge, chilling your skincare actually works. Storing serums, moisturizers, and eye gels in the fridge delivers an instantly refreshing sensation and real skin benefits: think soothing inflammation and redness, reducing puffiness, and constricting pores for a smoother appearance. (As a bonus, it may even help extend the shelf life of your skincare by protecting it from light and heat) Wins all around.

Product Pick:Drop of Strength All-Day Strengthening Serum
Infused with Immubarrier Complex™, this lightweight, universal pre-serum boosts skin resilience and hydrates. Pop it in the fridge for an added soothing, cooling effect, especially after sun exposure or a day spent in the heat.

2. Switch to Lighter Layers

Thick, occlusive creams can feel like a blanket in summer. In hot, humid weather, heavy products may trap sweat and oil, leading to clogged pores and congestion. The solution: swap rich formulas for lightweight, gel-based hydrators that provide water-based moisture without the weight.

Product Pick:Icy Gel Moisturizer
This gel-based formula instantly cools skin on contact, delivering moisture without the grease and doubling as a post-sun cooldown treat. Its formula contains a high-performance blend of adaptogens, lipopeptides, and other actives that help neutralize skin stress, reducing visible signs of fatigue.

3. Double Cleanse at Night

Rather than sitting on the surface, sweat, SPF, and environmental pollutants tend to settle into pores, leading to breakouts and dullness. Double cleansing is a must in summer, especially if you’re layering SPF and makeup. Start with a gentle cleanser to remove surface grime, followed by a targeted second cleanse to decongest and purify.

Product Picks:

Clean Biotic Prebiotic Calming Cleansing Gel: A nourishing, microbiome-friendly cleanser designed for all skin types.

Pore Purifying Cleanser: Ideal for combination/oily skin, this non-drying cleanser sweeps away impurities and excess oil to keep pores visibly clear.

4. Hands Off Your Face

It sounds simple, but during a heatwave, this tip matters more than ever. Sweat and oil can make your skin feel sticky, and the instinct to wipe your forehead or touch breakouts is hard to resist - but doing so spreads bacteria and increases the risk of irritation. Be mindful throughout the day: your face will thank you.

Bonus Tips For Hot Weather Skincare

Stay Hydrated

Heat plus dehydration is a recipe for stressed skin. Alongside drinking water regularly, use hydrating face mists and moisturizers to help maintain your skin's moisture barrier. For an overnight moisturizing treatment, tryHydro Biotic Prebiotic Recovery Sleeping Mask - a leave-on overnight mask that restores hydration and calms heat-stressed skin while you sleep. Eyes looking a little withered?iD-Stress Fatigue Fighting Eye Gel is a cryotherapy-inspired cooling gel that helps hydrate and revive the eye contour: perfect after a long, hot day.

Don’t Skip the SPF

Never skip sunscreen, especially in a heatwave. UV rays can worsen hyperpigmentation, accelerate aging, and compromise the skin barrier.Our invisible, mineral-basedLiquid Sun Shield SPF 50features a light, fluid formula that melts into skin, offering broad-spectrum protection without the weight or white cast.

Exfoliate (But Please, Do It Gently)

Your skin is already working overtime in the heat, so avoid harsh scrubs and exfoliants that can disrupt your barrier even further. That doesn’t mean you should skip exfoliating entirely: in fact, a gentle exfoliator like Microdermabrasion Gentle can help keep your pores clear during the sticky, sweaty summer months, all while minimizing irritation.

Your skin doesn’t have to suffer through the summer heat. With smart, simple swaps and routines, you can stay glowing, fresh, and breakout-free all summer long.

Shop the full Dr. BRANDT summer skincare lineuphere.