How to Care for Your Skin in Hot, Humid Weather

Have you started feeling the chill in the air and look forward to seeking some temporary refuge from the piercing wintry cold? Well, we all do. The temperature continues to plummet and soon the blustery winds will blow while snow storms will make headlines. Snuggling in your warm, cosy bed might sound appealing, but nothing beats the sounds of waves crashing on a pristine beach on a sunny coast. Don’t we all agree? Think about a vacation where you sip mimosas by the seaside while you soak up some vitamin sea (see what we did there).

If not the seaside, then maybe go on a safari? Or you already have been residing in a tropical area where it is breezy and pleasant but it can sure get hot and muggy now and then. Skincare in such a climate can be a bit challenging because it can get too sunny or rain heavily that will cause humidity. And boy, humidity can be really frustrating. It feels like you walked right into a sauna and you’re not getting out anytime soon unless an AC rescues you. It will make your hair all frizzy and also annoy your skin which will feel sticky and greasy. No matter where you go, you must stay on top of your skincare routine. So how does one prep for their time in such weather conditions?

IT BEGINS WITH CLEANSING

Heard of sebum or oil secreted by multiple tiny glands on your skin? Sebum can wreak havoc especially because its production increases in hot and humid weather. And if you already have oily skin then you need to take extra care because it’ll clog your pores and lead to skin irritation, acne and other problems. Here thorough cleansing can be your saviour. Wash your face twice a day with a mild cleanser which can be either gel or cream-based depending on your skin type. Don’t scrub too hard and instead gently massage your face to loosen the dirt and unclog your pores. Rinse and pat it dry.

Another miraculous form of cleanser/toner now easily available is micellar water made up of these tiny oil molecules that are attracted to oil and dirt. It can get rid of the impurities without dehydrating your skin. You can pour some of the liquid on a cotton ball, pat your skin with it and voila! you are good to go.

A quick shower after you’ve been outside is also a must. It’ll cool down your body apart from rinsing away the pollutants stuck on your exposed body parts.

A WEEKLY FACIAL

Your skin can get extremely tanned and we’ve already pointed out issues associated with overproduction of sebum. Cleansing and toning twice a day are part of your daily routine but it’s nice to pamper your skin at least once a week. Wash away the dirt that gets collected on your skin by putting on some dirt. Confused? By dirt, we mean mud and clay masks or cleansers that will help soak excess oil and leave your skin refreshed. If not mud or clay, you can turn to fruits and make a DIY face pack. No dearth of tropical, citrus fruits in such areas. But remember the effect of any face mask or face pack can vary on different skin types so be sure to do a patch test to check that it doesn’t over dry or irritate your skin.

STAY UNDER SPF’S PROTECTION

An obvious point to make, but it’s important to make note of it once again. The sun emits UVA, UVB and UVC rays. We need protection from the first two. UVA and UVB rays can cause sunburns, premature ageing, dark spots, wrinkles and also cause skin cancer. Always carry a broad spectrum sunscreen of at least 30 SPF with you which protects you from both UVA and UVB rays. Apply generously on your face, décolletage, and other parts that’ll be exposed to the sun at least 15-20 minutes before you step out. Keep reapplying through the day if you’ll be spending your time outside. Shield your eyes with UV-blocking sunglasses and a hat.

CHUG THAT WATER AND KEEP YOUR SKIN HYDRATED

It’s hot out there and your body is bound to get dehydrated which will also show on your skin. It’ll feel dull. Let’s make a pact and drink at least eight glasses or half a gallon of water every single day. Carry a bottle and drink up every 30 minutes. It’ll freshen up your skin and also wash away the toxins from your body. For the skin, you can also pick hyaluronic acid-based serums or gel/water-based moisturisers. Since there’s also an abundance of tropical fruits like watermelon, pineapple, etc. and coconut water in such areas, drink up some more to stay cool and hydrated.

DON’T FORGET TO MOISTURIZE

Yes, it sounds odd especially when you talk of a humid area where there is already so much moisture in the air. And if you have oily skin, you’ll definitely say no thank you to moisturizing. We’ll have to stop you right there because remember how you cleanse, tone and then exfoliate your skin to get rid of the oiliness and dirt? All these steps make your skin dry and if you skip moisturizing, your skin will automatically produce more oil. This will be followed by numerous other skin issues especially acne if you have oily skin. Do not avoid this step and pick a moisturizer according to your skin type.

Watch your skin carefully. If it shows you signs of irritation, it could be because of one of the products you’re using or an allergic reaction to a certain ingredient or maybe just the humid weather. Don’t touch it with your bare hands as it can further aggravate your skin condition. See a dermatologist immediately because ultimately they are the experts. If your skin feels great, then continue with your routine.