Finding the right summer skincare routine isn’t easy. You’re going for dewy, fresh, and light, but heat and humidity are here to ruin your day. As a K-beauty team that’s made it through plenty of Seoul heat waves, we’re here to help. Whether you’re looking for light hydration that won’t weigh you down, a soothing solution for overheated skin, or the perfect daily sunscreen, we’ve got you covered. Below, we break down the best summer skincare products for every single skin type, from dry, to oily, to acne-prone. Your upgraded summer staples, below.
How to Build a Summer Skincare Routine
Want to know the secret ingredient to any summer skincare routine? The right SPF. When we polled our team for their quick and easy routines, one pick stood out for all skin types: our Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen. We’ll explain how it can benefit each skin type below, but here are a few fast facts that will convince you to add it to your lineup.
We formulated this reef-safe, non-greasy sunscreen with some of our favorite skincare ingredients like antioxidant-rich black rice extract, soothing ceramides, smoothing adenosine, and brightening niacinamide. The result is a daily SPF that feels like moisturizer and leaves a natural, velvety finish. And to make sure we were delivering what we promised, we put it to the test. This multitasking formula is clinically proven to improve skin hydration after exposure to UV rays, improve skin water loss after exposure to UV rays, improve skin texture after exposure to UV rays, and soothe damaged skin after exposure to UV rays.* Keep reading to see how it holds up on different skin types.
*In a clinical trial of 21 subjects after 2 weeks of use.
Oily Skin: Shine-Absorbing Routine
Building a skincare routine for oily skin can be tricky at any time of year, but it’s especially difficult during the summer, when your complexion tends to overproduce sebum. Our team member Eunjeong focuses on “super light” picks that leave her pores clear, not clogged. “Oily skin and humidity are definitely not the best of friends, so I need to change my routine to make sure it stays effective all summer,” she says.
1. Cleanse
Cleansing is essential to make sure you sweep away sebum and buildup before applying your skincare. “I always double cleanse because I want to remove the excess oil on my skin before the rest of my routine,” says Eunjeong. Her favorite combo is our Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil, followed by our Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Triple AHA Gentle Cleansing Gel. The gentle blend of alpha-hydroxy acids helps keep pores clear and regulate oil without irritating your skin.
2. (Lightly) Moisturize
Even if you have oily skin, you still need hydration. The trick is making sure you opt for light hydrators that won’t weigh your skin down or clog your pores. “I want to avoid greasiness but still lock in moisture,” says Eunjeong. Her go-to summer moisturizer is our Haruharu Wonder Centella 5% Niacinamide Radiance Gel Cream. “It’s super light and absorbs really well,” she says.
3. Shield and Block Shine
Now it’s time for your essential sun protection step. Grab your tube of Airyfit, apply liberally, and remember to reapply every two hours to maintain sun protection. This formula is amazing for oily skin because it’s light and fast-absorbing. “It’s a must for my summer routine,” says Eunjeong. “It has a velvety finish that doesn’t leave my skin super shiny.”
Dry Skin: Hydrating Routine
When it comes to dry skin, the trick is adding hydration in multiple light layers; you don’t want your skincare to feel heavy, but you still want plenty of moisture. “My skin isn’t as dry in summer as it is in winter, but it needs hydration,” says our team member Anna. “Usually, I use lightweight products that don’t feel greasy and can hold up well even in super humid Seoul weather.”
1. Cleanse and Tone
After cleansing, it’s time to start building your moisture sandwich. “I start my routine with our Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner to get a good layer of hydration and make my skin plump and glowy,” says Anna. This gentle formula is packed with powerful hydrators like fermented black rice and hyaluronic acid. It’s perfect for skin that feels dry, dehydrated, or flaky.
2. Layer Hydration
Dry skin types, listen up. The easiest way to maximize moisture with lightweight layers is to double up on your toners. During summer, Anna immediately follows Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner with a second layer of Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence. Do a full layer all over your face, then add extra wherever you need it. “I concentrate it on dry areas like my cheeks,” she says. No matter how much you splash on, it definitely won’t weigh your skin down.
3. Shield and Lock Moisture
To prevent all that hydration from evaporating, make sure you lock it in. Our Airyfit Daily Sunscreen doubles as a moisturizer, so you can protect your skin from sun damage and add another layer of lightweight moisture in a single step. “It’s a true gem that can replace my moisturizer and primer,” says Anna. If your skin is very dry and you need additional hydration, you can also add a layer of our Haruharu Wonder Black Rice 5 Ceramide Barrier Moisturizing Cream underneath.
Combination Skin: Balancing Routine
Combination skin is characterized by a mix of dry and oily areas, with more oily areas appearing in your T-zone. "I have combination skin, so finding a routine that works for both dry and oily areas has always been tricky,” says our team member Tamara. “Most products are either too rich or not hydrating enough. Lately though, I’ve found a simple routine that actually works, even in humid weather.”
1. Cleanse and Strategically Hydrate
After cleansing, Tamara uses a similar approach to Anna by layering her toners. “I start with the Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner, then use the Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence only on my dry spots for extra moisture,” she says. Combination skin types won’t need as much essence as dry skin, so apply your second layer sparingly and avoid your forehead, nose, chin, and any areas that tend to get greasy.
2. Moisturize
Tamara also loves our Black Rice 5 Ceramide Barrier Moisturizing Cream to lock in hydration. Just make sure to apply a small amount and avoid your T-zone so your skin stays balanced throughout the day.
3. Use a Lightweight Sunscreen
The perfe![]()
ct final layer: our Black Rice Moisture Daily Airyfit Sunscreen. “I always finish with this because it’s lightweight and comfy on all areas of my face, whether they’re dry or oily,” says Tamara.
Acne-Prone Skin: Pore-Friendly Routine
Whether your skin is going through temporary breakouts or you’re acne-prone in general, this is the ideal summer routine to keep your pores clear. “As someone with acne-prone skin, I always look for non-clogging and lightweight skincare,” says our team member Claire. “Especially in the summer heat and humidity, I prefer to keep it simple with just a cleanser, essence, and SPF."
1. Cleanse and Exfoliate
Just like oily skin types, anyone with acne-prone skin will love our Black Rice Triple AHA Gentle Cleansing Gel. Whether you have active breakouts or want to help prevent them, this formula gets the job done. “It's a great, gentle, exfoliating cleanser and I love that it's fragrance-free so it doesn’t irritate my acne,” says Claire.
2. Hydrate With Care
Claire’s ultimate pick for blemish-friendly hydration is our Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence. “It works as a toner, essence, and moisturizer in one and leaves a beautiful glow to my skin,” she says. Breakouts can get worse when your skin barrier is compromised, so this barrier-supporting formula is a smart pick.
3. Protect With SPF
If you find that sunscreen tends to clog your pores, don’t worry; our Airyfit Daily Sunscreen won’t leave your skin congested. “It keeps my skin protected without worsening my breakouts,” says Claire.
Sensitive Skin: Soothing Routine
Reactive, sensitive, or stressed skin needs a summer routine that keeps things simple. “Since I have sensitive skin, I stick to calming ingredients and avoid changing my routine or products too often,” says our team member Kiber.
1. Cleanse and Calm
To avoid irritating sensitive skin, always cleanse with the gentlest formula possible. “I start my day with the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Cleansing Gel,” says Kiber. “It’s simple, effective, and fragrance-free, which I’ve found really helps with sensitivity.” Next, she goes in with another one of our sensitive skin favorites. “Our unscented Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner for Sensitive Skin is one of the best products for my skin type,” she says. “It’s alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and deeply hydrating.”
2. Moisturize and Soothe
One of our favorite ingredients for stressed skin is Centella asiatica extract, a powerful ingredient known for its ability to quickly and effectively calm. It’s the key ingredient in Kiber’s go-to summer moisturizer, our Haruharu Wonder Centella Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream. “It helps fight wrinkles while soothing, and it’s also unscented,” she says. “The texture is perfect for summer: light, yet moisturizing and rich.”
3. Do a Sunscreen Check
Complete your routine with Airyfit Sunscreen. (Yes, it’s gentle on sensitive skin types, too!) “This is my holy grail,” says Kiber. “It leaves no white cast, blends easily on darker skin tones without leaving a bluish tint, and is fragrance-free. It has never irritated my skin, making it my favorite summer SPF that leaves a soft, cloud-like glow.”
Now that we’ve taken you through each of these five routines for five skin types, all you have to do is match your skin type to the right routine. Summer skincare has never been easier.
Meet the Author
Haruharu Wonder contributor Sarah Y. Wu has a decade of experience in the industry as a beauty editor, copy director, and brand consultant. Her bylines have appeared in outlets including Teen Vogue, Forbes, Allure, Marie Claire, Glamour, NYLON, Bustle, The Zoe Report, Vogue, WWD, and Byrdie. She’s also the copywriter and copy director for some of your favorite skincare, fragrance, and makeup brands. While she’s tried thousands of products over the course of her career, she’ll always save a spot in her beauty routine for Haruharu Wonder’s Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream and Centella Sunflower Makeup-Melting Cleansing Balm. Connect with her on Instagram @say.wu.
How to Find the Right Summer Skincare Routine for Your Skin Type
Finding the right summer skincare routine isn’t easy. You’re going for dewy, fresh, and light, but heat and humidity are here to ruin your day. As a K-beauty team that’s made it through plenty of Seoul heat waves, we’re here to help. Whether you’re looking for light hydration that won’t weigh you down, a soothing solution for overheated skin, or the perfect daily sunscreen, we’ve got you covered. Below, we break down the best summer skincare products for every single skin type, from dry, to oily, to acne-prone. Your upgraded summer staples, below.
How to Build a Summer Skincare Routine
Want to know the secret ingredient to any summer skincare routine? The right SPF. When we polled our team for their quick and easy routines, one pick stood out for all skin types: our Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen. We’ll explain how it can benefit each skin type below, but here are a few fast facts that will convince you to add it to your lineup.
We formulated this reef-safe, non-greasy sunscreen with some of our favorite skincare ingredients like antioxidant-rich black rice extract, soothing ceramides, smoothing adenosine, and brightening niacinamide. The result is a daily SPF that feels like moisturizer and leaves a natural, velvety finish. And to make sure we were delivering what we promised, we put it to the test. This multitasking formula is clinically proven to improve skin hydration after exposure to UV rays, improve skin water loss after exposure to UV rays, improve skin texture after exposure to UV rays, and soothe damaged skin after exposure to UV rays.* Keep reading to see how it holds up on different skin types.
*In a clinical trial of 21 subjects after 2 weeks of use.
Oily Skin: Shine-Absorbing Routine
Building a skincare routine for oily skin can be tricky at any time of year, but it’s especially difficult during the summer, when your complexion tends to overproduce sebum. Our team member Eunjeong focuses on “super light” picks that leave her pores clear, not clogged. “Oily skin and humidity are definitely not the best of friends, so I need to change my routine to make sure it stays effective all summer,” she says.
1. Cleanse
Cleansing is essential to make sure you sweep away sebum and buildup before applying your skincare. “I always double cleanse because I want to remove the excess oil on my skin before the rest of my routine,” says Eunjeong. Her favorite combo is our Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil, followed by our Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Triple AHA Gentle Cleansing Gel. The gentle blend of alpha-hydroxy acids helps keep pores clear and regulate oil without irritating your skin.
2. (Lightly) Moisturize
Even if you have oily skin, you still need hydration. The trick is making sure you opt for light hydrators that won’t weigh your skin down or clog your pores. “I want to avoid greasiness but still lock in moisture,” says Eunjeong. Her go-to summer moisturizer is our Haruharu Wonder Centella 5% Niacinamide Radiance Gel Cream. “It’s super light and absorbs really well,” she says.
3. Shield and Block Shine
Now it’s time for your essential sun protection step. Grab your tube of Airyfit, apply liberally, and remember to reapply every two hours to maintain sun protection. This formula is amazing for oily skin because it’s light and fast-absorbing. “It’s a must for my summer routine,” says Eunjeong. “It has a velvety finish that doesn’t leave my skin super shiny.”
Dry Skin: Hydrating Routine
When it comes to dry skin, the trick is adding hydration in multiple light layers; you don’t want your skincare to feel heavy, but you still want plenty of moisture. “My skin isn’t as dry in summer as it is in winter, but it needs hydration,” says our team member Anna. “Usually, I use lightweight products that don’t feel greasy and can hold up well even in super humid Seoul weather.”
1. Cleanse and Tone
After cleansing, it’s time to start building your moisture sandwich. “I start my routine with our Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner to get a good layer of hydration and make my skin plump and glowy,” says Anna. This gentle formula is packed with powerful hydrators like fermented black rice and hyaluronic acid. It’s perfect for skin that feels dry, dehydrated, or flaky.
2. Layer Hydration
Dry skin types, listen up. The easiest way to maximize moisture with lightweight layers is to double up on your toners. During summer, Anna immediately follows Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner with a second layer of Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence. Do a full layer all over your face, then add extra wherever you need it. “I concentrate it on dry areas like my cheeks,” she says. No matter how much you splash on, it definitely won’t weigh your skin down.
3. Shield and Lock Moisture
To prevent all that hydration from evaporating, make sure you lock it in. Our Airyfit Daily Sunscreen doubles as a moisturizer, so you can protect your skin from sun damage and add another layer of lightweight moisture in a single step. “It’s a true gem that can replace my moisturizer and primer,” says Anna. If your skin is very dry and you need additional hydration, you can also add a layer of our Haruharu Wonder Black Rice 5 Ceramide Barrier Moisturizing Cream underneath.
Combination Skin: Balancing Routine
Combination skin is characterized by a mix of dry and oily areas, with more oily areas appearing in your T-zone. "I have combination skin, so finding a routine that works for both dry and oily areas has always been tricky,” says our team member Tamara. “Most products are either too rich or not hydrating enough. Lately though, I’ve found a simple routine that actually works, even in humid weather.”
1. Cleanse and Strategically Hydrate
After cleansing, Tamara uses a similar approach to Anna by layering her toners. “I start with the Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner, then use the Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence only on my dry spots for extra moisture,” she says. Combination skin types won’t need as much essence as dry skin, so apply your second layer sparingly and avoid your forehead, nose, chin, and any areas that tend to get greasy.
2. Moisturize
Tamara also loves our Black Rice 5 Ceramide Barrier Moisturizing Cream to lock in hydration. Just make sure to apply a small amount and avoid your T-zone so your skin stays balanced throughout the day.
3. Use a Lightweight Sunscreen
The perfe![]()
ct final layer: our Black Rice Moisture Daily Airyfit Sunscreen. “I always finish with this because it’s lightweight and comfy on all areas of my face, whether they’re dry or oily,” says Tamara.
Acne-Prone Skin: Pore-Friendly Routine
Whether your skin is going through temporary breakouts or you’re acne-prone in general, this is the ideal summer routine to keep your pores clear. “As someone with acne-prone skin, I always look for non-clogging and lightweight skincare,” says our team member Claire. “Especially in the summer heat and humidity, I prefer to keep it simple with just a cleanser, essence, and SPF."
1. Cleanse and Exfoliate
Just like oily skin types, anyone with acne-prone skin will love our Black Rice Triple AHA Gentle Cleansing Gel. Whether you have active breakouts or want to help prevent them, this formula gets the job done. “It's a great, gentle, exfoliating cleanser and I love that it's fragrance-free so it doesn’t irritate my acne,” says Claire.
2. Hydrate With Care
Claire’s ultimate pick for blemish-friendly hydration is our Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence. “It works as a toner, essence, and moisturizer in one and leaves a beautiful glow to my skin,” she says. Breakouts can get worse when your skin barrier is compromised, so this barrier-supporting formula is a smart pick.
3. Protect With SPF
If you find that sunscreen tends to clog your pores, don’t worry; our Airyfit Daily Sunscreen won’t leave your skin congested. “It keeps my skin protected without worsening my breakouts,” says Claire.
Sensitive Skin: Soothing Routine
Reactive, sensitive, or stressed skin needs a summer routine that keeps things simple. “Since I have sensitive skin, I stick to calming ingredients and avoid changing my routine or products too often,” says our team member Kiber.
1. Cleanse and Calm
To avoid irritating sensitive skin, always cleanse with the gentlest formula possible. “I start my day with the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Cleansing Gel,” says Kiber. “It’s simple, effective, and fragrance-free, which I’ve found really helps with sensitivity.” Next, she goes in with another one of our sensitive skin favorites. “Our unscented Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner for Sensitive Skin is one of the best products for my skin type,” she says. “It’s alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and deeply hydrating.”
2. Moisturize and Soothe
One of our favorite ingredients for stressed skin is Centella asiatica extract, a powerful ingredient known for its ability to quickly and effectively calm. It’s the key ingredient in Kiber’s go-to summer moisturizer, our Haruharu Wonder Centella Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream. “It helps fight wrinkles while soothing, and it’s also unscented,” she says. “The texture is perfect for summer: light, yet moisturizing and rich.”
3. Do a Sunscreen Check
Complete your routine with Airyfit Sunscreen. (Yes, it’s gentle on sensitive skin types, too!) “This is my holy grail,” says Kiber. “It leaves no white cast, blends easily on darker skin tones without leaving a bluish tint, and is fragrance-free. It has never irritated my skin, making it my favorite summer SPF that leaves a soft, cloud-like glow.”
Now that we’ve taken you through each of these five routines for five skin types, all you have to do is match your skin type to the right routine. Summer skincare has never been easier.
Meet the Author
Haruharu Wonder contributor Sarah Y. Wu has a decade of experience in the industry as a beauty editor, copy director, and brand consultant. Her bylines have appeared in outlets including Teen Vogue, Forbes, Allure, Marie Claire, Glamour, NYLON, Bustle, The Zoe Report, Vogue, WWD, and Byrdie. She’s also the copywriter and copy director for some of your favorite skincare, fragrance, and makeup brands. While she’s tried thousands of products over the course of her career, she’ll always save a spot in her beauty routine for Haruharu Wonder’s Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream and Centella Sunflower Makeup-Melting Cleansing Balm. Connect with her on Instagram @say.wu.