The Best Natural Skincare Routine for Dry Summers

If your skin feels tight, flaky, or chronically dehydrated during summer, you’re not alone. While winter gets the blame for dryness, hot, dry summers can be just as punishing. Heat, sun exposure, sweat, and air conditioning can all strip your skin’s natural oils, leaving it inflamed, reactive, or just plain parched.

And most modern moisturizers? They’re no help. Water-based creams evaporate too fast. Seed oils break down under sunlight. And synthetics don’t nourish—they just coat the surface.

What your skin actually needs is nourishment—not hydration. That’s where a real balm comes in.

Why Summer Skin Gets Dry

Dry summer skin usually results from:
High heat increasing water loss through the skin
Sun damage weakening the skin’s lipid barrier
Sweat depleting natural oils
Air conditioning removing moisture from the air
And the more you strip your skin with soaps, acids, and foaming cleansers, the worse it gets.
What Your Skin Actually Needs in Summer
To thrive through summer, your skin needs:
Stable, skin-identical lipids to rebuild its barrier
Anti-inflammatory ingredients to calm post-sun irritation
Occlusive protection that locks in moisture
Supportive rituals that allow time for absorption and healing
VÆR’s 2-Step Summer Ritual for Dry Skin
At VÆR, we don’t believe in 10-step routines or synthetic quick fixes. Just biologically compatible ingredients, applied with intention. Our summer ritual is simple—and effective.

Step 1: Cleanse with Warm Water (Optional Sugar Exfoliation)

For most skin, warm water and a soft cloth are all you need. At VÆR, we believe in supporting—not stripping—the skin barrier. Splash your face with warm water, then gently wipe with a damp cloth to remove buildup without disrupting your skin’s natural oils.
Optional Weekly Ritual:
For gentle exfoliation, you can add 1/4 teaspoon of fine sugar to a pea sized ball VÆR balm, kneading it into a damp cloth or directly into your hands. Massage the mixture over damp skin using circular motions, then rinse thoroughly.
This method is best for non-sensitive, non-inflamed skin, and should be used no more than 1–2 times per week to avoid over-exfoliating.

Step 2: Feed Your Skin with Tallow-Based Balm

After cleansing, while your skin is still slightly damp, massage a small amount of balm into your face, neck, or body. Take your time—kneading the balm in deeply is one of the hidden gifts of this ritual.

Unlike lotions that sit on the surface, our balm melts into your skin’s lipid layer, delivering:

Grass-fed tallow to restore lost fats
Jojoba oil to mimic your skin’s sebum
Calendula to calm inflammation
Beeswax to seal in moisture without clogging

This isn’t a swipe-and-go product. It rewards slowness. Let your fingertips move with intention. Breathe in the essential oils. Give your skin the chance to absorb real nutrients.

Bonus Tips for Dry Summer Skin

Mist skin with water or hydrosol before balm application—it helps seal hydration in.
Don’t over-exfoliate. Once a week with your balm + sugar blend is plenty.
Apply balm at night, when skin regenerates most.
Skip cleansers that foam or strip. Let your balm do the work.

A Final Note: Real Nourishment for Real Summer Skin

This summer, don’t chase hydration. Rebuild your barrier. Feed your skin.
Our balms are crafted for skin that faces the elements. No synthetics. No fillers. Just whole-fat skincare that your skin actually recognizes. Whether you’re hiking dusty trails, riding city heat waves, or just trying to get through July without flaking—VÆR has your back.

Explore our balms →

Moisture without compromise. Nourishment that works. Welcome to skincare that feels like coming home.

Written by Glen Drury