Sheer Moisture for Summer

Slip your skin into something lighter when the forecast is hot and steamy

When the mercury and humidity soar, you swap cashmere for cotton. It makes just as much sense to lighten up on your skincare products, too, especially your moisturizer. With so much moisture in the air you don't need the rich creams that helped nourish winter's parched skin. Instead, opt for textures that will hydrate without being heavy or clogging your pores.

"To balance the skin's changing moisture levels without feeling greasy, you'll need to take your moisturizer down a notch," says New York esthetician Tom Woodhouse. "If you use a cream in the winter, try a lotion in the summer. If you use a lotion or gel in January, switch to a serum or emulsion in July." Here's a look at some of the best moisturizers for the sizzling days and nights ahead.

Botanical Boost
Cucumber, lemon, lavender and ivy; the natural botanicals in Dermalogica Active Moist, are just what your skin craves on a scorching day. Free of oil, artificial fragrance or color, this lightweight lotion smoothes your skin and improves its texture with silk amino acids.

Sheer Power
With broad-spectrum UV protection built right into Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Moisture Defense Lotion SPF30, this multitasking hydrator and

sunblock is the perfect lotion to apply when you're lucky enough to be spending a long sunlit morning or afternoon outside. This daytime elixir won't leave behind any telltale residue, but make no mistake, its hardworking antioxidants will staunchly defend your skin against the aging effects of free radical damage.

Mineral Moisture
This refreshing, light-as-air gel cream is ideal for skin that has both oily and dry areas. Formulated with Osmoter, a concentrate of Dead Sea minerals, Ahava Essential Day Moisturizer Combination protects against breakouts, improves skin's elasticity and reduces the depth of wrinkles. All that is achieved with just a dime-sized dab spread over your face and throat that leaves behind a makeup-ready matte canvas.

A High IQ Hydrator
Even on a day when you're, let's say, glowing with sweat, your skin may be secretly dehydrated. You won't know it, but this smart oil-free lotion will. Benefit Cosmetics' B. Right Triple Performing Facial Emulsion uses a unique tri-radiance complex to comfort your skin three ways: capturing water on the skin's surface, maintaining that moisture supply and boosting the skin's water reserves.