Ah, summer! The season of beach trips, barbecues, and long, lazy afternoons. But as the temperatures rise and the sun shines brighter, your skin begins to tell a different story. Dryness, stickiness, and the overall discomfort of skin that’s crying out for help. The challenge? Keeping your skin hydrated and non-sticky during these sweltering months. But fear not; this guide will walk you through just how to keep your skin feeling fresh and fabulous all summer long.
Why does summer present such a challenge for our skin? Simple. The heat, the humidity, and the increased exposure to the sun can all lead to skin losing its moisture and gaining an unwelcome stickiness. This combination leaves us feeling uncomfortable and over time, can lead to more serious skin issues. That’s why it’s so important to arm ourselves with the right knowledge and tools to keep our skin happy throughout the summer season.
Understanding Your Skin Type
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of summer skincare, it’s essential to understand that not all skin is created equal. The way your skin responds to the heat and humidity of summer can depend a lot on your skin type. Yes, your skin has a type, and it’s just as unique as you are!
What’s Your Type?
Knowing your skin type is akin to understanding your body’s own personal roadmap, guiding you towards the skincare products and practices that will work best for you. Generally, skin types are classified into five categories:
- Normal Skin: A balanced combination of oiliness and dryness. Your skin doesn’t react negatively to new products or weather changes, and pores are barely visible.
- Dry Skin: Your skin often feels tight and can have flaky areas, showing less elasticity and more visible lines.
- Oily Skin: Your skin is often shiny, with visibly larger pores and a glossy sheen. You may experience frequent acne breakouts.
- Combination Skin: As the name suggests, this type has characteristics of both dry and oily skin. You may have oily skin in some areas (like the T-zone) and dry skin in others.
- Sensitive Skin: This type can show up as redness, itching, burning, and dryness. You may have allergic reactions to many skincare products.
Understanding where you fall on this spectrum can be a game-changer for your skincare routine, especially in the challenging summer months. In the following sections, we’ll dive deeper into how to keep each skin type hydrated and non-sticky, helping you look and feel your best all summer long.
Understanding Your Skin Type
Before diving into the pool of skin hydration, it’s essential to understand the shorelines of your own skin type. Your skin could be oily, dry, combination, normal, or sensitive, and each type has its unique needs, especially in the sweltering heat of summer.
Identifying your skin type is a bit like being a skincare detective. The clues lie in how your skin feels and behaves, particularly in different weather conditions. So, put on your magnifying glass and start investigating!
Skin can change with the seasons too, so it isn’t always simple. This is why it can be useful to have a skincare consultation to discover how to change your skincare according to your skin type, and the season.
The Importance of Hydration for Skin
Hydration is to skin, what water is to a plant – absolutely essential. Hydrated skin is happy skin; it’s plumper, more elastic, and has a glow that no highlighter can match.
Summer, however, can be a tricky season for skin hydration. Imagine the sun as a mischievous imp, constantly trying to steal away your skin’s precious moisture. The heat causes increased evaporation of skin’s surface moisture and increased sweat can also lead to dehydration. It’s a season-long duel against the elements to keep our skin hydrated and healthy.
How to Keep Your Skin Hydrated
Dietary Changes
Hydrating your skin isn’t just about what you apply on the outside, but also what you consume. Increase your water intake, ensuring you’re drinking at least 8 glasses a day. Include water-rich fruits and vegetables in your diet. Watermelon, cucumber, oranges – they’re all delicious, healthy, and hydrating!
Use Hydrating Skincare Products
Your summer skincare arsenal should include hydrating superheroes like moisturizers, hydrating masks, and serums. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalene, ceramides, beta-glucan, urea, polyglutamic acid, n-acetyl-glucosamine and aloe vera that are known for their hydrating properties.
Regular Exfoliation
Regular exfoliation is like decluttering your skin’s surface. It helps remove the layer of dead skin cells that can prevent your moisturizer from doing its job effectively. But remember, don’t overdo it! Over-exfoliating can strip your skin of its natural oils. So, a maximum of once to twice a week is all that is needed. Some people with drier skins can do less than that.
Other Lifestyle Changes
Reducing exposure to air conditioning can help as it often dries out the skin. Similarly, excessive washing of the face can strip the skin of its natural oils. Balance is key in maintaining a hydrated and happy skin!
In the quest for summer skin hydration, remember that your skin is as unique as you are. What works for one person might not work for another. So, listen to your skin, understand its needs, and keep it hydrated, because the summer sun waits for no one!
Tackling the Problem of Sticky Skin in Summer
Summer is here and with it comes the inevitable: sticky skin. You know the feeling, when your skin seems like a magnet for everything from dust to perspiration. But why does our skin become sticky during summer?
The Science Behind Sticky Summer Skin
In simple terms, your skin becomes sticky in summer due to the increase in humidity and perspiration. The high temperatures cause your body to sweat more, while the increased humidity in the air prevents that sweat from evaporating quickly. The result? A sticky film of sweat and oil on your skin.
But, fear not! Here are some strategies to keep your skin feeling fresh and non-sticky during those sizzling summer days.
Switch to Oil-Free Products
Using oil-free skincare and makeup products can help control the oiliness and stickiness of your skin. Look for products that are labelled “oil-free”. Some products are labelled “non-comedogenic” which implies they won’t clog your pores. Not every product labelled non-comedogenic will mean it won’t block pores or cause spots in you. Everyone is different and this label is a bit misleading. It is about getting to know your skin and what flares it up, what helps it and then reading the ingredient list on your products to see what it contains. Generally speaking, oil free products will be beneficial.
Lighten Up Your Makeup
Heavy makeup can mix with sweat and oils to create a sticky (and often cakey) texture on your skin. Try to use lightweight, water-based makeup products, and remember, less is more during summer.
Embrace Blotting Papers
Blotting papers are a lifesaver when it comes to tackling oily, sticky skin. They absorb excess oil and sweat from your skin, leaving it feeling fresh and clean. Just a quick dab on the areas where you feel most sticky, and voila!
Recommended Products for Summer Skin Care
Choosing the right products for your skin type can make a world of difference in your summer skincare routine. Here are some recommendations to help you keep your skin hydrated and non-sticky.
For Hydration
- Avene Thermal Spring Water spray: This spray calms and soothes sensitive skin. It can be used on sunburn, dryness, itching, after your skincare routine and an be used on anyone over 6 months old.
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel: An affordable and effective option, this water gel absorbs quickly into the skin, providing hydration without the stickiness. It’s oil-free, non-comedogenic, and perfect for all skin types.
For Non-Stickiness
- Elf Shine Eraser Blotting Sheets or DHC Blotting Paper sheets: These are a really affordable option for blotting papers, which are compact, portable, and perfect for on-the-go touch-ups. They effectively absorb excess oil, reducing the stickiness and shine on your skin.
- COSRX Green Tea Soothing Gel Cream/Purito Oat Calming gel cream/ CetaphilDaily Hydrating moisturiser: These are lightweight, moisturizers. They provides light coverage and hydration, without leaving your skin feeling sticky.
Remember, summer skin care is not a one-size-fits-all. Always choose products that suit your skin type and specific needs. And, of course, don’t forget to drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen every day for a hydrated, healthy, and non-sticky summer skin!
Professional Care and Treatment
There comes a time when home remedies and over-the-counter products might not seem enough. This is when you should consider seeking professional care for your skin, especially during the harsh summer months.
When to Seek Professional Care
It’s important to recognize the signs that your skin may be crying out for professional help. Increased sensitivity, persistent dryness or oiliness, and the onset of unexplained skin issues could be your cue to consult a dermatologist. The advantage of professional skincare lies in its personalized approach, taking into consideration your unique skin type and its specific needs.
Exploring Summer Skin Treatments
Summer skin treatments can offer a deep and refreshing cleanse, aiding in hydration and reducing the stickiness often associated with this season. Here are a few treatments that are particularly beneficial:
- Hydrating Facials: These facials infuse your skin with moisture, leaving it plump and glowing. They often involve the use of professional-grade hydrating serums and masks that provide deeper hydration than most at-home products.
- Exfoliating Treatments: Professional exfoliation treatments, such as chemical peels, can remove stubborn layers of dead skin cells, helping your skin absorb moisture more effectively.
- LED Light Therapy: This innovative treatment can stimulate collagen production, helping to maintain skin elasticity and hydration.
Remember, while these treatments can greatly benefit your skin, it’s essential to follow a consistent skincare routine at home. The key to healthy summer skin is a combination of professional treatments and diligent at-home care.
The summer sun can be harsh, but with the right approach, your skin doesn’t have to bear the brunt of it. Keeping your skin hydrated and non-sticky in the summer is a delicate balancing act, requiring both mindful skincare and lifestyle choices.
Remember, every skin type is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Pay attention to your skin’s particular needs, try out different methods, and find what suits you best.
Your skin is a reflection of your overall wellness. So, this summer, commit to taking care of your skin as a part of your self-care routine. After all, healthy, happy skin isn’t just about looking good, it’s about feeling good too!
We hope this guide has been helpful and has given you some new ideas to try. We’d love to hear about your summer skincare adventures! Feel free to share your experiences, tips, or even your favourite summer skincare products in the comments below. Together, let’s make this summer a season of skin health and happiness!