How to Adapt Your Skincare Routine to Palm Springs’ Dry Summer

Let’s face it. Summers in Palm Springs are hot and dry. While this can be an excellent break from brisk and wet winter weather, Palm Springs summers can be harsh on the skin. Luckily, the right skincare routine can help minimize the potential damage caused by dry, hot weather. Consider adding these skincare habits to your routine to keep your skin looking dewy and glowing instead of dry and wrinkled. 

Always wear sunscreen

Whether its lounging by the pool or hiking at one of the nearby parks, sunny weather undoubtedly means more time outside in the sun. However, increased time outside also means more time exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Extended exposure can cause untold damage to skin cells, hinder the body’s ability to produce collagen and accelerate the aging process. UV rays can also cause sunburns, which can, in turn, increase a person’s risk of melanoma, or skin cancer. 

Adding sunscreen to your daily skincare regimen is one of the easiest ways to protect your skin from these serious health concerns. To make it even easier, many high-quality daily moisturizers also include SPF in them, keeping the number of products being used to a minimum. In addition to wearing a daily sunscreen, be sure to wear sunscreen if you’re headed out for a day of outdoor activities and reapply frequently to maintain protection.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

During the toasty summer months, hydration is especially key to maintaining healthy skin and body and for good reason. The dry summer heat raises our internal temperature, causing us to sweat more to stay cool and lose water content. For skin cells, water loss causes the cells to shrivel down, accentuating fine lines and causing the appearance of premature aging. 

To prevent looking older than you really are, we recommend adding two key steps to your daily routine: drink lots of water, and incorporate lightweight hydrators into your routine. Increasing water intake will help refill cells from within your body and minimize the risk of dehydration. Lightweight but powerful hydrating serums and products can help cells hold onto more water longer, minimizing the risk of shrivel. 

Shower temperature matters

Cold showers can feel amazing after a long day in the sun, and it can be great for your skin as well. Hot water has a tendency to dry out skin, exacerbating the effects of the weather. Instead, swap steaming showers for tepid ones and only stay in until your fingers start to wrinkle – this ensures that your skin cells are fully hydrated. 

Go Light

Lightweight cleansers, lightweight serums, and lightweight makeup are your friends once the weather starts to warm up, and for good reason. Unlike their heavier counterparts, these products are designed to sit just above skin without blocking your pores. When looking for new products, always search for water-based, non-comedogenic – these will help you avoid untimely breakouts and won’t leave you feeling greasy or sticky at the end of the day.

Enjoy beautiful skin with help from Dr. Kato

From professional skin treatments to at-home skincare solutions, the team at Aesthetic Art is committed to helping patients achieve beautiful and healthy skin year-round. To help create the best skincare strategy for each individual, experienced Palm Springs cosmetic specialist Dr. Kato works closely with patients to understand their cosmetic goals and current concerns and ultimately build a strategy that fits into their lifestyle. To learn more about our approach to healthy, beautiful skin, call (760) 610-5558 and schedule your consultation with Dr. Kato today!