During colder months, it makes perfect sense to layer on richer moisturisers, balms, and occlusive creams. They help lock in moisture when central heating and cold air strip it away. But as the weather warms up, those same products can start to feel claggy, clogging your pores and sitting heavily on the skin.
That’s when you know it’s time to switch from protecting your skin from dryness to supporting it through increased oil production and environmental stress, like sweat, humidity, and UV exposure. Thick products can trap heat, disrupt your skin’s natural balance, and make existing breakouts or inflammation worse.
This is the perfect moment to turn to Korean skincare. Known for its light textures, layered hydration, and skin-soothing ingredients, it’s incredibly well-suited to warmer months. Rather than relying on one thick cream, Korean routines focus on building moisture gradually, with watery toners, gel creams, and lightweight emulsions that absorb quickly without leaving a greasy residue.
Keep It Light, But Don’t Skip the Steps
Even when your skin feels like it’s “too much” in warmer weather (too oily, too shiny, too breakout-prone) it still needs a proper routine. The trick is to adjust your textures, not abandon the basics. Here’s how to keep your skincare routine functional, breathable, and summer-ready.
Cleanse Without Overdoing It
Sweat, SPF and pollution can build up quickly in spring and summer, so cleansing is still essential but gentleness is key. Stick to a low-pH, non-stripping cleanser, and skip the harsh scrubs or double cleansing unless you’re removing heavy makeup. Cleansing once or twice a day with a lightweight gel or foam keeps the skin fresh without drying it out.
Hydrate, Don’t Suffocate
Moisturiser is non-negotiable, even if your skin feels oily. But instead of thick creams, opt for gel-based hydrators or water creams. These deliver moisture without trapping heat or clogging pores. If your skin feels particularly hot or tight, look for ingredients that soothe and refresh (like glycerin, panthenol, or birch sap).
SPF is Still Your Best Friend
Longer days mean more sun exposure, even if you’re not on the beach. A broad-spectrum SPF is vital, but choose one with a texture that works with your skin, not against it. Korean sunscreens are especially designed to be lightweight, quick-absorbing and wearable even in high humidity.
Listen to What Your Skin’s Telling You
If it feels flaky…
It might be dehydrated, not dry. The difference? Dry skin lacks oil, but dehydrated skin lacks water. And dehydration can happen to any skin type, especially in dry environments like air-conditioned rooms or plane cabins.
Try this: Layer in light, humectant-rich hydration. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid or beta-glucan, both popular in Korean serums and essences for their ability to draw water into the skin without adding heaviness.
If it’s getting oilier than usual…
This doesn’t mean your skin is dirty: it’s just working overtime to cool itself down. Warmer temperatures trigger increased sebum production, especially in combination or oily skin types.
Try this: Avoid over-washing, which can lead to even more oil. Use a gentle, non-stripping cleanser and balance with lightweight hydration. Korean gel creams are often formulated with birch sap or green tea extract, both of which hydrate and balance oil production without leaving a greasy residue.
If it looks blotchy or feels tingly…
You may be dealing with heat sensitivity or a compromised barrier. This is especially common if you’ve been in strong sun, used active ingredients too often, or experienced a lot of temperature fluctuation.
Try this: Scale your routine right back and look for calming, barrier-supportive ingredients. Korean skincare is full of centella asiatica, a go-to for soothing red, reactive skin and helping it feel more stable again.
If texture seems rough or bumpy…
You could be experiencing a build-up of sweat, SPF, and dead skin cells—especially if you’ve been skipping a proper cleanse or wearing long-lasting makeup in the heat.
Try this: Introduce a gentle exfoliant once or twice a week. Korean products often use PHA (polyhydroxy acid)—a milder alternative to AHA—that smooths without stinging, making it ideal for summer skin that’s already feeling the heat.
If it looks dull, even though you’re getting sun…
UV exposure, while giving you colour, also slows down your skin’s renewal process. That glow you’re after might be sitting beneath a layer of tired, stressed skin.
Try this: Gently boost your glow with brightening and hydrating ingredients, but again, don’t go too hard. Add a lightweight serum with niacinamide, a popular ingredient in Korean skincare that brightens uneven tone, strengthens the barrier, and supports a more even texture over time. And always, always follow with SPF.