Our skin doesn’t always adapt well to changes in the weather. Hot, humid weather (especially in sunny Singapore) can cause a multitude of skin problems, such as excessive sebum production and sun damage. However, this doesn’t mean you need to hide indoors until the weather cools. By practicing a few simple skin care techniques, you can venture outdoors without putting your skin at risk. Follow these best skin care practices to enjoy healthier-looking skin even in hot, humid weather.

Cleanse Twice a Day

One of the best things you can do for your skin when exposed to hot, humid weather is to cleanse. The ideal is two times per day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Any more than this and you risk irritating your skin. Cleansing your face in the morning helps clear away excess oil and dead skin cells collected from the night before. Cleansing in the evening helps wash away that day’s makeup, excess, oil, dirt, and other pollutants that can cause breakouts. Use a facial cleanser gentle enough for daily use, such as the Gentle Foaming Wash by Dr. Sylvia Skin Care. The botanical-based cleanser eliminates surface impurities without stripping away moisture from your skin making it suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive skin. However, if you have oily, acne-prone and combination skin, use a gentle cleanser such as Purifying AZA cleanser with biosulfur that fights bacterial and breakouts without drying your skin.

Add Toner to Your Skin Care Regimen

Toner is a must-have when the weather is hot and humid. It is especially useful in people with oily or acne-prone skin or those who want to achieve an extra-clean feeling after wearing makeup or other heavy skin products. Look for a gentle daily toner for oily skin, such as the Gentle Soothing Toner and Purifying AZA Toner by Dr. Sylvia Skin Care. These gentle toners addresses excess oil production and contains lavender for soothing the skin and anti-bacterial Azelaic acid and salicylic acid to clean pores and reduce acne.

Don’t Skip the Moisturizer

It’s very easy to skip using a moisturizer so that your skin will feel lighter and not greasy especially when the weather is very hot. The truth is during humid weather, your skin naturally retains more moisture to keep itself hydrated. However, this doesn’t mean you should stop using your moisturizer just yet. As we sweat, our skin loses water and salt which can actually cause it to dehydrate. If you fail to rehydrate your skin, it can start producing more oil which can result in irritation and breakouts. Moisturizing your skin can help protect it from flare-ups. To avoid the greasy and heavy feeling, switch to a oil-free and light-weight moisturizer that won’t weigh down your skin. A Clarifying Moisturizer is a great option. This oil free face moisturizer is light, non-comedogenic, and works to hydrate the skin and seal in moisture for soft, healthy skin. What’s great about this moisturizer is that it can be absorbed by skin immediately and leaves a matte finish giving you a fresh look.

Promote Anti-Aging with a Skin Serum

One drawback when you are active outdoors is overexposure to the sun which is one of the main cause of premature aging. Harmful UV rays of the sun can increase the breakdown of collagen causing dryness, fine lines and wrinkles making your skin look dull and older. To protect your skin from premature aging, consider adding anti-aging serums in your daily regimen. Serums are potent in formulation making it an excellent way to nourish the skin and protect it against aging. To reduce eye wrinkles and restore hydration on your skin, try Fibroblast Growth Factor Serum. This anti-aging serum helps to stimulate collagen while preventing collagen breakdown. At the same time, it helps boost skin density, firmness and texture giving you a plumper looking skin. Fibroblast Growth Factor serum has a liquid consistency so a few pumps can go a long way. It is easy to apply as it glides smoothly on the skin and best of all it is immediately absorbed by the skin.

Block Harmful UV Rays

Besides from wrinkles and fine lines, over exposure to the sun can also cause pigmentation and brown spots. If you plan on being outdoors when the weather is warm, keep your skin protected with a quality sunscreen. UVA rays can penetrate the skin’s deeper layer and affect blood vessels and connective tissues. This can result in a loss of skin elasticity over time. The sun also emits UVB rays which are responsible for causing tanning and sunburn. Both UVA and UVB rays can cause skin cancer. Before going outdoors, apply a good SPF (sun protection factor), especially if you plan to be outdoors for a long period of time. Not all sunscreen are the same so make sure to choose one that is not greasy. Clear Defense SPF 45 is a lightweight and oil free broad-spectrum sunscreen that is specifically designed to provide the highest level of sun protection while helping to restore youthfulness to your skin. If you want additional coverage, try a tinted sunscreen such as Sheer Defense SPF 46, an antioxidant-rich, lightweight and oil-free sunscreen that is universally tinted to provide the skin with broad-spectrum coverage from UVA and UVB while protecting your skin against free radicals. Want to learn more about caring for your skin in hot, humid weather? Contact our Cutis Laser Clinic and schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctor in Singapore, Dr. Sylvia Ramirez.

Tags: Dermal Balancing Cleanser, Dermal Balancing Toner, Clarifying Moisturizer, Clear Defense Sunscreen, Fibroblast Growth Factor Serum