How to take care of your skin in Dubai's hot climate

For places like Dubai, summer is all year round. However, taking care of your skin is vital, especially at the height of the season. There’s plenty of fun with summer activities, but the heat and humidity can wreak havoc on our skin. This can cause blemishes, oiliness, and dry, irritated skin.

Hydrate and nourish skin from within

During the summer months, it is very common for people to experience dehydration. This causes the skin to look dull and dry, so the first line of defense should always be hydration. Start hydrating yourself by drinking at least eight glasses of water daily.

Nutrition and nourishment are also important. Your skin reflects your diet, so make positive changes, such as avoiding processed foods, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, and avoiding sugar. Doing so can help you beat the negative effects of heat on your skin.

Don’t forget to moisturize

Hydration shouldn’t stop at drinking plenty of water. Products like moisturizers are essential to hydrate your skin and protect it when the weather is hot. Applying a moisturizer right after bathing or washing your face is best to prevent skin from drying out post-wash by sealing in moisture.

Applying moisturizer will also ensure that your skin does not overproduce oil later in the day. 

Look for one with a non-greasy formula that is suited for your skin type.

Exfoliate regularly

Our skin tends to become much oilier as temperatures and humidity levels go up. This is because the sebaceous glands underneath the skin’s surface work harder to produce oil due to the temperature change. Excess sebum can clog your pores and cause a breakout.

This is why exfoliating your skin during the summer is vital. Exfoliation gets rid of dirt, sweat, makeup, and sunscreen. Make sure not to be too rough when you exfoliate; this can damage your skin further by causing micro-tears. Instead, use gentle products and tools to slough away dead and damaged skin cells.

Avoid heavy makeup

Wearing makeup is a little trickier in the heat and humidity. Even heavy-duty creams and powders may not last in hot weather, especially as your skin produces more oil throughout the day. Wearing heavy makeup can also clog your pores, which leads to breakouts.

Try wearing lighter formulations that won’t cake up your skin. For instance, you can opt for a lightly tinted moisturizer instead of a full-coverage foundation for your base. Light, mattifying powders are also very helpful in controlling oil.

Lighten up your skincare routine

Your skincare routine in the summer should cater to your skin’s needs. Part of an effective summertime skincare routine is minimizing the number of products you need to use — here, less is more. 

Keep the routine simple and your products lightweight. Be sure to pay attention to your skin’s needs as well. For instance, you can swap out your oil-based cleanser for a gentler, foaming option for the summer to keep your skin fresh and hydrated. 

Wear SPF

When it comes to non-negotiable summer skincare products, sunscreen tops the list. More sun exposure means you are at higher risk for sun damage and its consequences, such as ageing and an increased risk of skin cancer. 

To prevent this, wear sun protection with an SPF rating of at least 30. Most sunscreens offer broad spectrum protection, meaning they protect against UVA and UVB rays, but check before purchasing a product. Reapply your sunscreen on any exposed areas every two hours under the sun. 

The Bottom Line

Taking care of your skin during the summertime shouldn’t make you break a sweat. Choose a sunscreen that can meet your needs, including broad-spectrum protection and a non-greasy formula that’s comfortable to apply.
Louis Widmer’s Sun Protection Face 30 is a day cream and sun protection product suitable for daily use, even for sensitive skin. It provides high protection thanks to a combination of broad-spectrum filters with a non-oily finish. Brave the summer while staying protected with our sunscreen.