Miami’s heat and humidity are here. Here are five ways a dermatologist stays cool

By Leslie Baumann, M.D. Special to the Miami Herald

June 12, 2025 12:36 PM

Dermatologist Dr. Leslie Baumann gives five tips on staying cool during Miami’s hot and humid summer days. Halay Alex Shutterstock

Whether you are staying in Miami this summer or traveling to other warm destinations, staying cool will likely be top of mind. As a dermatologist, I often see patients whose skin reacts to heat with redness, irritation or breakouts. Here are a few tips that I personally use to beat the heat.

Cool thermal spring water

Thermal spring waters are sourced from natural springs that are rich in minerals and have anti-inflammatory properties. Many are bottled as sprays that you can spritz on your face. Keep a bottle in the fridge to spritz on your skin throughout the day or after exercising to help cool your skin and reduce redness.

Use a lighter moisturizer

Heavy creams can trap heat and make your skin feel congested this time of year. Switch to a lighter moisturizer or use a moisturizing sunscreen to hydrate your skin without trapping in heat and allowing your skin to breathe.

Look for cooling ingredients

Ingredients like menthol, mint, cucumber and aloe feel cool on the skin. These can be found in many moisturizers and facial sprays. Aloe vera gel is also great to put on minor burns or areas of sunburn.

Bring a cool bottle of water

I like to have a cold bottle of water with me and rub it on my neck when I’m hot. The back of your neck and cheeks have more thermoreceptors than other areas of your body, so keeping these areas cool can help you to feel cooler and more comfortable quickly.

Wear linen fabric

Linen fabric is lighter, more breathable, and cooler than other fabrics, so it’s a great choice for hot days. However, it doesn’t provide very much sun protection, so be sure to wear sunscreen and stay in the shade when possible.

Bottom line

Staying cool in Miami’s heat is possible with a few easy adjustments to your skin care. If you also struggle with red, flushed skin this time of year, look for anti-inflammatory ingredients like aloe, chamomile and feverfew.

I’m still on sabbatical and no longer run Baumann Cosmetic Institute, so please follow @SkinTypeSolutions on social media, or visit LeslieBaumannMD.com if you have questions.