Heat waves are your skin’s worst enemy. How do we know this? Perhaps from the countless heat rash episodes and the way your SPF 50 sunscreen seems to sweat off immediately after application. As temperatures rise, the skin struggles to stay healthy, and its protective barrier weakens significantly, bringing challenges like heat rash to the surface.
High temperatures cause the outermost layer of your skin to become more open, making it vulnerable to irritants and leading to moisture loss. This results in dryness while also triggering an overproduction of sebum (the skin’s natural oil), causing clogged pores and breakouts. It’s a lot to deal with, so we researched a list of management solutions; think face and body skincare tips for hot climates.
Keep reading to find out how to protect your skin from heat!
8 Essential Steps to Heat-Proof Your Skincare Routine
The top three skincare issues associated with hot weather are sweating, sebum overproduction, and sunburns. An additional one is dehydration because your skin’s health is a reflection of what’s happening inside your body. So, starting with hydration, here are eight key steps to make your skincare routine hot weather-friendly:
1. Hydrate, and Again, Hydrate
Drink lots of water to cool your skin naturally from the inside. Staying hydrated also helps replenish the moisture your skin loses through sweating. Hydration also includes eating water-rich foods and using water-rich skincare.
Fruits such as watermelons and cucumbers, alongside skincare products containing hyaluronic acid and/or glycerin, provide additional hydration internally and externally, respectively.
2. Store Skincare Products in the Fridge
Learning how to properly store skincare products in hot weather not only prevents them from degrading, but also helps keep your skin cool. Store all skincare products in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, or refrigerate them for even better results..
Refrigerating your skincare preserves the potency of heat-sensitive ingredients such as vitamin C and citric acid. The cold temperature of the products also cools and refreshes your skin, soothing irritation, and enhancing hydration. Just be sure to check labels and do your research to know if your products are fridge-safe.
3. Switch to a Gentle, Lightweight Cleanser
From your clothing to your skincare, that is the time to keep everything lightweight and breathable. Start your skincare routine with a lightweight cleanser to remove sweat, dirt, oil, and other impurities, without drying out your skin.
Opt for gentle cleansers as well. Harsh cleansers can strip your skin, causing it to overcompensate by overproducing oil. So, go for a gentle, lightweight foaming cleanser that rinses off easily, leaving your skin clean and balanced. This extends to your body wash; opt for a foaming body cleanser that washes off impurities while leaving your skin fresh.
4. Incorporate a Hydrating Essence or Toner
A hydrating essence or toner is a must, especially with how the rate of moisture loss increases as the temperature rises. Look out for formulas with hyaluronic acid, which helps the skin prevent overheating by soothing and hydrating it.
Apply this product to slightly damp skin after cleansing it to yield an extra layer of moisture.
5. Use Lightweight, Non-Comedogenic Moisturizers
The “You don’t need a moisturizer in hot weather” myth might feel more believable as temperatures rise, especially when using the wrong products makes your skin feel even hotter. However, you still need a moisturizer! The key is to avoid thick, heavy formulas, as they can trap heat and cause breakouts.
Lightweight moisturizers and body lotions are the way to go since they are fast-absorbing and won’t clog your pores. Look for labels with ingredients such as ceramides and peptides which help strengthen your skin barrier and keep it healthy.
6. Use A Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen
Sunscreen is non-negotiable every day, and even more so on extremely hot days. Choose a lightweight, broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen that protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. The label always specifies these details, so be sure you check it carefully before purchasing.
Gel-based sunscreens are great lightweight options that are less likely to sweat off in the day’s heat. Reapply every two hours, especially if you’re spending time outdoors. Pro tip: hold a mini fan close to your face while applying sunscreen and for a few minutes after to reduce sweating and help your skin absorb it properly.
7. Exfoliate Wisely
To keep your skin clear in hot weather, exfoliate to remove dead skin cells, product buildup, and sweat. Although exfoliation offers the benefits of clearer skin, over-exfoliating can damage your skin barrier.
Stick to gentle chemical exfoliants such as glycolic acid masks and liquid exfoliants, which are more skin-friendly than physical scrubs. Also, stick to a gentle routine, limiting exfoliation to 1-2 times weekly to avoid stripping your skin.
8. Keep a Facial Mist or Cooling Spray Handy
While facial mist products are great, here’s a little secret: your skin loves water. Taking regular baths or spraying cold water onto your face or body at intervals throughout the day adds an extra cooling effect your skin will thank you for!
Conclusion
At the end of the day, heat waves don’t have to ruin your skin. By making the right adjustments to your products and routine, you can keep your skin hydrated, clear, protected, and free of irritation even in the hottest of temperatures. Ready to heat-proof your skincare? Start with these tips for an all-year head-to-toe glow!
Before you go…
We appreciate you taking the time to read this blog to the end, and we hope you found it helpful. Please allow us to introduce ourselves quickly.
Shanyi Beauty is a brand that offers safe and effective skincare products that help you repair and maintain your skin barrier while fading hyperpigmentation and clearing fine lines, giving you healthy, even-toned, and youthful skin.
The products are potent and yet gentle on the skin, and they are suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
For face care products designed to keep your skin radiant all year long (including period days), explore our curated collection today!