Humidity, or the quantity of moisture in the air – especially here in Malaysia’s tropical climate, can have an impact on your skin in both positive and negative ways. It affects your skin in a variety of ways, including moisture, oiliness, acne and breakouts, sensitivity, fungal infections, eczema and psoriasis, and heat rash.
If the weather is wreaking havoc on your skin lately, worry not! Here’s a nifty guide on keeping your skin cool and calm while preventing heat-induced breakouts:
Hydrate inside and out
Hydration is something everyone should be taking seriously. Remember, drinking water will nourish your skin, while also helping to flush out unwanted toxins, and improving skin texture.
Outside of drinking plenty of water, you can also use certain skincare products to add more moisture back to your skin directly. For starters, use a lightweight gel/water-based moisturiser that absorbs quickly, and don’t forget to layer on sunscreen right after!
Calm it with a sheet mask
One of our favourite ways to literally cool down on a hot day is to pop a sheet mask into the fridge. Nothing is more refreshing than some iced tea and a cooling sheet mask during a heat wave. Cooling down your face aids in diminishing inflammation and puffiness, and has anti-aging benefits.
Look out for skin-loving ingredients
Keep an eye out for skin-calming ingredients that won’t aggravate it further and to help prevent redness and inflammation. We like active ingredients such as Centella asiatica (or tiger grass), chamomile, colloidal oatmeal (especially great for dry and sensitive skin types), liquorice root, panthenol and aloe vera.
Slough off dead skin cells
Exfoliating twice a week is the right balance for your skin. Use a gentle exfoliator or chemical exfoliants like AHAs or BHAs to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, and keep your skin smooth and clear. However, you also wouldn’t want to over-exfoliate as it strips away all of your skin’s natural oils and can cause irritation or sensitivity.
Keep it natural
When it’s super humid out, the last thing your skin needs is layers of skincare products or heavy-duty makeup. Instead, wear minimal makeup or use lightweight, oil-free, and non-comedogenic products. Don’t forget to remove your makeup before going to bed so that your skin can breathe and regenerate during the night.
