13 Products With This Summer’s Must-Have Ingredient

One of the biggest summertime skin-care mistakes is skimping on hydration. Just because you’re not faced with whipping winds and frigid temps doesn’t mean there aren’t other moisture-sucking elements to deal with. We’re talking about the blazing sun, alfresco cocktails, and, for those of us lucky enough to get away, air travel. “During hot summer days, the body can lose considerable moisture through the skin, as essential oil production is diminished and evaporation leads to water loss,” says David Shafer, MD.

We understand that the last thing you want to do during a heat wave is slather on a thick moisturizer, so we rounded up 13 products that are heavy on hydration but light on weight, thanks to one of our favorite hydrophilic (water-loving) ingredients: hyaluronic acid. “While the body naturally makes hyaluronic acid, topical supplementation has a visible and functional difference. The beneficial effects of hyaluronic acid extend beyond just hydration to keep the skin hydrated and plump,” says Dr. Shafer. “It also functions in tissue repair, to [repair] damage caused from the harmful rays.”

In other words, if you plan on hitting the beach — or downing some margaritas — this summer, you’re going to want to add a few of these power-packed goodies to your beauty routine.