Avoiding Heat Rash & Skin Irritation This Summer: Tips to Keep Skin Cool, Hydrated, and Calm

Avoiding Heat Rash & Skin Irritation This Summer: Tips to Keep Skin Cool, Hydrated, and Calm

Just when you thought you could leave behind the itchy, dry, red skin of winter, summer comes in with its own set of challenges. The hot, humid months can wreak havoc on your skin in a whole new way, often triggering heat rash and seasonal irritation.

But you don’t have to suffer through it. With the right skincare routine and a few targeted products, you can calm inflammation, reduce redness, and soothe itchiness, so your skin feels just as good as your cheery summer mood. Below, we’ve rounded up our favorite products and best tips to help you prevent and treat heat rash all season long.

 

What Is Heat Rash and Why Does It Happen?

Heat rash, also known as prickly heat or miliaria, occurs when sweat becomes trapped in your skin’s sweat ducts, leading to inflammation and tiny, itchy bumps. These bumps may sting, feel prickly, or even cause a burning sensation, and they’re often accompanied by redness or mild swelling.

While heat rash is most commonly triggered by hot, humid weather, friction and tight clothing can also contribute—especially in areas where sweat tends to build up. You’ll typically see it on the neck, back, chest, groin, under the breasts, inner thighs, and armpits.

It’s important to note that heat rash isn’t the same as other forms of summer skin irritation like sunburn, chafing, or contact dermatitis. What sets it apart is the root cause: trapped sweat. That’s why managing sweat, keeping your skin cool, and choosing breathable, gentle skincare products is essential to prevent flare-ups.

 

How To Prevent Heat Rash and Summer Irritation

There are many ways you can avoid developing a heat rash in the hot summer months. These include:

  • Wearing loose clothing—If you’re prone to heat rash or summer skin irritation, it’s best to wear breathable, loose-fitting clothing throughout the day.
  • Use lightweight skincare—Avoid heavy, occlusive creams in your morning skincare and post-shower routine.
  • Keep cool—Stay in shaded or air-conditioned spaces when possible.
  • Dry your skin gently—Pat (don’t rub) your skin dry after sweating or showering.
  • Don’t stay sweaty—Shower right after workouts or extended sun exposure.

 

Summer Skincare Routine to Keep Skin Cool and Calm

Step 1: Use a gentle, low-pH cleanser

One of the most important things to help avoid heat rash on the skin is keeping it clean and sweat-free. The Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel is a mild cleansing gel formulated with naturally derived surfactants made from coconut to help keep skin clean yet hydrated. It has a slightly acidic pH (5.5) to maintain the skin barrier, and it thoroughly cleanses the skin without any dryness.

The transparent gel has a lightweight texture that’s ideal for hot climates. Not only does it do a great job of removing makeup at the end of the day, but it also gently removes sweat, sunscreen, and grime without stripping your skin.

While it’s important to keep your skin clean and sweat-free during the summer, over-cleansing can actually make heat rash and skin irritation that much worse. That’s why it’s important to use a really gentle cleanser that has been clinically tested for sensitive skin.

To use, gently massage the gel cleanser into your face for 30 seconds, and then rise thoroughly with lukewarm water. You can use this formula morning and night and/or after heavy sweating (like post-workout).

 

Step 2: Balance and hydrate with fragrance-free toner

After gently cleansing your skin, it’s essential to further balance your skin barrier with a toner. The Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner features ingredients like betaine, glycerin, and black rice extract to gently soothe the skin and prepare your dermis for optimal absorption of other products.

Many K-beauty toners feature rice extract in their formulation, but this pick is different. The Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner stars fermented black rice extract, making it two times more effective in reducing inflammation, pigmentation, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

But the best part of this refreshing toner? Its fragrance-free formula won’t further irritate heat rash or sensitized summer skin. Plus, it’s alcohol-free, soothing, and deeply hydrating, too.

To use, apply the toner to your hands or a cotton pad, and then press the formula into your skin after cleansing.

 

Step 3: Hydrate with a lightweight moisturizer

Even in the heat of summer, your skin still needs moisture (and that includes everyone with oily and acne-prone skin, too!). Interestingly, skipping moisturizer can actually cause your skin to overproduce oil, causing you to break out and develop an irritated face.

The 5% Niacinamide Gel Cream is the perfect lightweight hydrator for summer. Not only does the gel texture absorb quickly without leaving any greasiness behind (key for hot, sweaty summer months), but the soothing Centella Asiatica and niacinamide work together to calm irritation, reduce redness, and help balance oil production, too.

Perfect for those who are prone to heat rash in the summer, this formula creates a cooling, soothing effect on the skin and is hydrating enough to add moisture without feeling greasy or heavy.

To use, apply a thin, even layer to clean in the morning and night, after you’ve applied your toner. Pro tip: Keep the moisturizer in the fridge for a boost of chilliness upon application to reduce heat rash and soothe the skin.

 

Step 4: Protect and soothe with daily sunscreen

No summer skincare routine is complete without sunscreen, especially if you’re prone to heat rash or skin irritation. UV exposure not only worsens redness and sensitivity, but it also breaks down your skin’s protective barrier over time, making it more reactive.

The Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection with SPF 50+/PA++++, shielding your skin from both UVA and UVB rays without clogging pores or leaving a greasy finish. As a chemical sunscreen, the Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Sunscreen absorbs ultraviolet rays and converts them into harmless heat energy while forming an ultra-thin, hydrating, protective film on the skin.

Its airy, quick-absorbing texture is perfect for hot, humid weather, and it layers beautifully under makeup or on top of moisturizer without pilling. What sets this sunscreen apart is its hydrating yet breathable formula. It’s infused with fermented black rice extract and bamboo shoot extract to soothe and nourish stressed-out skin in the summer. It’s also dermatologically tested and gentle enough for sensitive or redness-prone skin, making it a safe bet if you’re dealing with heat rash flare-ups.

Apply this formula after your moisturizer in your morning routine. Apply a generous amount of sunscreen evenly to your face and neck. Reapply every two hours if you’re outdoors or sweating frequently.

 

Step 5: Refresh and cool on-the-go

To prevent or treat heat rash while on-the-go this summer, consider popping the Haruharu Wonder Black Bamboo Mist into your purse or beach bag for immediate relief. Loaded with ingredients like phyllostachys nigra leaf extract, bambusa vulgaris shoot extract, betaine, and beta-glucan, this formula works wonders to hydrate, soothe, brighten, and balance your skin barrier during the hot summer months.

This gentle, fine spray mist boosts exhausted skin with moisture and energy. The scent, which is a combination of six different essential oils, smells fresh and light, and the texture is transparent and watery. To use, spray generously onto your face while closing your eyes. You can use this spray whenever you feel that your skin is dry, dehydrated, or dull. Pat lightly into your skin for faster absorption. This is another product that can be stored in the refrigerator for additional cooling benefits.

 

More Tips For Heat-Healthy Skin All Summer Long

  • Wash your face every night—Going to bed with sweat, sunscreen, makeup, or anything else on your face at night is a bad move. Always make sure to cleanse your skin every night before bed.
  • Don’t over-exfoliateExfoliating your skin aggressively (whether that be chemical exfoliation or physical exfoliation) can easily lead to a compromised skin barrier, skin irritation, and exacerbate heat rash. Stick to only exfoliating 1-2 times per week max.
  • Opt for gentle formulas when possible—Avoid products with alcohol, heavy fragrance, or strong actives in hot weather.
  • Choose the right ingredients—Look for calming ingredients like niacinamide, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and Centella Asiatica.


Final Thoughts

If you suffer from heat rash, you don’t have to dread the hot summer months every year. Heat rash and irritation are preventable with the right habits and soothing skincare. Haruharu Wonder’s lightweight, fragrance-free, and calming formulas make them a perfect choice for those who experience summer skin irritation. With a few mindful swaps and a gentle routine, your skin can stay cool, hydrated, and happy all season long.

 

Meet The Author:

Haruharu Wonder contributor Daley Quinn has a decade of experience in the industry as journalist, editor, copywriter, and content creator covering beauty, wellness, health, and lifestyle content. Her stories have been published in over 50 digital publications including Real Simple, TODAY, Health, Southern Living, Well + Good, Allure, and many more. She also runs a blog called The Daley Dose, where she writes about beauty product reviews and her journey living alcohol-free. Connect with her on Instagram @daleyq.

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