Summer skincare survival guide: Expert tips to beat the heat
The scorching summer heat can wreak havoc on your skin, causing breakouts, puffiness, and foundation disasters. But fear not, dear readers! We've gathered the wisdom of celebrated facialist Joanne Evans and skincare practitioner Dr. Maryam Zamani to help you navigate the challenges of hot weather. Here's a comprehensive guide to keeping your skin healthy and happy when the temperatures soar.
Avoid Heavy Creams
In the sweltering summer months, it's best to steer clear of heavy creams. Evans and Zamani advise opting for lightweight moisturizers or gel creams. Heavy creams can trap heat, sweat, and sebum on the skin, increasing the chances of breakouts. However, they acknowledge that not all skin types are the same. Zamani mentions that some individuals, especially those going through perimenopause, may still require richer moisturizers without clogging their pores.
Nurture Your Skin Barrier
Hot weather places immense stress on our skin barrier due to sweating, water loss, and high UV exposure. Evans recommends products like Mesoprotech Water Veil, which contains hyaluronic acid and provides ultra-light gel-cream texture with excellent photo protection. Zamani emphasizes the importance of wearing SPF and avoiding over-exfoliation and excessive hot showers, which can strip the skin of its natural lipids. She suggests using pH-balanced cleansers and moisturizers with ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, squalane, or niacinamide.
Reduce Retinols
While you don't have to abandon active ingredients during hot weather, it's wise to reduce retinoid usage. Evans suggests applying retinoids once or twice a week in the evenings, followed by a nourishing moisturizer. If you experience any sensitivity or irritation, it's best to stop. Zamani adds that maintaining retinoids is acceptable if your skin shows no signs of irritation.
Keep Creams Cool
To avoid the discomfort of melting products, store your creams in a cool place. Eye creams, sheet masks, facial mists, and gel moisturizers can be kept in the fridge. However, Zamani advises against unnecessary refrigeration, as it can alter the texture of certain formulations. She recommends storing most skincare products in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Lock in Moisture
Evans suggests applying hyaluronic acid to damp skin after cleansing to enhance absorption. She recommends using serums first, followed by moisturizers, and then sunscreen. If you shower in the morning, complete your skincare routine promptly. Zamani advises cleansing away sunscreen, sweat, pollution, and makeup at night before applying evening products.
Reapply Regularly
Counterintuitive as it may seem, frequent, thin layers of product are key to maintaining skin health. Zamani suggests reapplying sunscreen every two hours when outdoors, driving, exercising, or near windows. For indoor activities with minimal sun exposure, one morning application is often sufficient, but reapplication before outdoor activities is recommended. Evans recommends SPF sprays for city environments, acknowledging their inferiority to creams but superiority over no reapplication.
Combat Skin Irritation
Summer's heat, sweat, and sunscreen can irritate the skin. Evans suggests using lightweight products and considers antihistamines for anti-inflammatory effects. For oilier or acne-prone skin, she recommends washing with cool or cold water, even an ice bath for the face. Zamani emphasizes the importance of promptly removing sweat after exercise and regularly changing pillowcases.
Go Easy on the Foundation
In hot weather, heavy makeup can congest and irritate the skin. Evans recommends lightweight tinted moisturizers or medium-build coverage. She suggests products like Et Al Intelligent Radiance Foundation, tinted SPF Mesoestetics 130+, and Aveen for sensitive skin. When applying foundation, use thin layers, and consider mineral powders, primers, and spritzing to keep makeup in place.
Slow Down and Prepare
Taking your time with skincare is essential to achieving long-lasting results and preventing pilling. Evans advises blotting papers over repeatedly applying powder to avoid a cakey finish. Zamani emphasizes the importance of preparation, suggesting that the most natural-looking makeup in summer enhances healthy skin rather than masking it. She recommends a gentle double cleanse, using an oil-based product first to remove SPF, followed by a gel or micellar water cleanse to remove remnants.
In conclusion, summer skincare requires a thoughtful approach. By following these expert tips, you can beat the heat and keep your skin healthy and radiant. Remember, preparation is everything, and a little patience goes a long way in achieving a flawless complexion.
