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You Asked! Expert A's to Your Beauty Q's About Summer Moisturizers

When the temperatures get warmer, your skin's moisture needs change, as should your choice of lotion. Try our experts' picks.

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By Liesa Goins
WebMD the Magazine - Feature

In each issue of WebMD the Magazine, our experts answer your questions about skin care, beauty, makeup, hair care, and more. In our May 2010 issue, Julie Ruminer, 36, a teacher's assistant in Indianapolis, asked for advice on the best body lotion for summer. We turned to Jeanine Downie, MD, director of Image Dermatology in Montclair, N.J. and David Colbert, MD, founder and head physician, of the New York Dermatology Group in New York City for recommendations.

Q. I know I need to use moisturizer on my body in the warmer months, but my winter products feel too heavy. What should I use now?

A. Downie's top picks:

When the weather turns warm, slathering on heavy creams designed to treat parched winter skin can be as uncomfortable as wearing flannel in July. Rather than smothering your skin in thick moisturizers containing dimethicone and petrolatum, switch to lighter options with ingredients like aloe and jojoba.

Look for moisturizers that are described as milks or lotions. Gel formulas are great for hot weather because they absorb quickly without leaving greasy residue. Try Vaseline Aloe Fresh Moisturizing Daily Body Gel ($5.99).

I think it's smart to replenish moisture with body washes, which offer lightweight moisture. They might even be enough hydration for those with oilier skin. Dove Go Fresh Revive Body Wash ($8.99) is a great option.

For more stubborn cases of ashy, dull skin, lather up with an in-shower exfoliator. Look for microbeads or exfoliators that soften skin while sloughing off flakes. Try Aveeno Positively Nourishing Smoothing Body Wash ($6.49).

If body breakouts tend to be a problem, add a salicylic acid body wash to your summer skin care routine. The acid can be too harsh on dry winter skin. I like Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash Pink Grapefruit ($7.99).

Colbert's top picks:

The weather causes environmental and biological changes that affect your skin, which is why your winter products don't feel right. Summer is definitely the time to switch to less greasy formulas, from creams to lotions, for example.

Read the label. If one of the first two or three ingredients includes glycerin, lanolin, or petrolatum, it might suffocate your skin in warm months. I like lotions with either lactic or glycolic acid during warmer weather. These ingredients can be too harsh on dry, cracked winter skin but are excellent hydrators and exfoliators for summer. Try AmLactin 12% Moisturizing Body Lotion ($26.99), especially on flaky legs. I also often suggest Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion ($10.99) because it has a light texture and doesn't feel greasy.

Soap is something I usually tell people to avoid in the winter, but in the summer you can benefit from the right bar. The heat and sweat allow breakouts and bacteria to breed, so washing the oilier areas of your body with Lever 2000 ($2.29 for two bars) can keep your skin free of bumps.

Even if breakouts don't have you seeing red, heat and sweat can cause irritation. If your skin is prone to getting angry, try Eucerin Calming Itch-Relief Treatment Lotion ($8.29). I like its gentle formula, which soothes a range of summer-related skin issues.

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