Beat the Heat: Your Skincare Tips For Hot Days

April traditionally marks the transition between cooler and warmer months in the Middle East. It is the point when temperatures gradually go up, moving towards the peak heat of summer days. Even though spring typically isn’t as hot, thermometers can still reach over 30℃, so it is high time to prepare your skin for the upcoming sizzle. Here is our guide for it.

Lighten up your skincare routine and use less makeup

High temperatures stimulate our skin’s sebaceous glands, encouraging it to produce more oil, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. To avoid such consequences, help your skin breathe more easily: switch from rich moisturisers and face masks to lighter alternatives and, ideally, take a break from make-up as the blazing sun melts beauty products causing skin irritations. If you are not willing to skip it, at least go for lightweight formulas.

Double cleanse

To reduce the harm from excessively produced sebum, make sure to wash your face and body deeply yet gently, always remove your make-up, and ideally double cleanse.

The best way to get rid of makeup, deep-seated sebum, and other impurities is to start with hydrophilic oil, butter, or sorbet that will resolve it, then rinse off and finish with a water-based cleanser to remove the leftovers from the previous step.

Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil; Comfort zone Sacred Nature Cleansing Balm; Dr. Ceuracle Pro Balance Pure Deep Cleansing Oil

Hydrate

Hot weather also increases perspiration, which can result in dehydration, so it’s highly important to drink enough water and include water-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables in your diet.

As for skincare — don’t forget about moisturisers and opt for light textures such as serums, emulsions, and gels to prevent pore clogging. Pay attention to the composition: such ingredients as coconut and marula oils or chea butter can be comedogenic, while hyaluronic acid, ceramides, Centella Asiatica, and aloe leaf extract provide great hydrating, nourishing, and antioxidant properties.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum; La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum; Comfort Zone Hydramemory Water Source Serum

Cover up, use SPF and after-sun care

Our skin is exposed to two types of rays: UVA, which causes skin ageing, and UVB, which causes burning and increases the risk of skin cancer.

Both are especially susceptible during warm sunny months, but UVA rays can affect the skin even on a rainy day as they can penetrate the clouds, while UVB rays depend on season, time of day, and location. Still, the risks of sunburn, hyperpigmentation, premature ageing, and health problems can be minimised by protecting the skin from sun tanning.

To do so effectively, try not to stay under direct sunlight, and cover your body and face with long, breathable clothing, hats, and sunglasses, while also making sunscreen your best friend.

Choose SPF products that work best for your skin type. Go with a higher factor (the bigger the number, the better ray coverage and durability are) and broad-spectrum to ensure its effectiveness against both UVA and UVB. Additionally, don’t forget to re-apply according to the instructions on the package.

Coola Classic Face Organic Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 Fragrance Free; La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Aquagel SPF30; Paula’s Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50

As a nice finishing touch, try out some after-sun cooling products or pure aloe vera gel to calm, heal, and soothe the skin.

Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel; Clarins SOS Sunburn Soother Mask; Comfort Zone Sun Soul Aloe Gel

Cool down

Such products as hydrogel masks and patches, mists, and thermal water are a nice solution to get refreshed on a hot day, even on the go. To make beauty products work as an even bigger release from the heat, try a lifehack of storing them in a fridge — immediate cooling effect guaranteed!

Evian Facial Spray; Dr. Jart Cryo Rubber Face Mask with Moisturizing Hyaluronic Acid; Dr.Jart Ceramidin Mist

by Sana Bun