Humidity and Skin

I would like to start this article by apologising to all our hot and humid climate customers out there who may often feel forgotten in our articles.  We tend to write about dry skin and winter skin and it hasn’t been until now that I live in the tropics that I understand that there is a need for a whole host of articles on skin care tips and tricks in dealing with humidity and skin, because boy is it a killer.  

There are so many things to love about hot weather.  Very little planning goes into your wardrobe, you pretty much know that year round you can plan outdoor activities, and of course, you can have a year round tan.  But when it comes to the way you look and feel, humidity can really work against you sometimes – especially if you are in the menopausal stage of life and are feeling the extra heat like a raging inferno.  (If you missed it, you can go back a few weeks to read our article on menopause).

Humidity can bring unwanted symptoms such as excess sweat, greasy hair, oily skin, enlarged pores, headaches, lethargy and general irritability.  In this article we are just going to talk about the effects that humidity has on our skin and hair, and I am going to talk about the things that I have found helpful and the products that I use with success.

Humidity, as you’d know, is when there is more moisture vapour in the air.  The hotter the temperatures, usually means that you are likely to have higher humidities, unless you are in a dry arid area, such as a desert.  Where I live now, in Phuket, the average daily humidity level is about 88%.  

 

How humidity affects our skin

• The extra moisture in the air combined with the heat, which makes us sweat a whole lot more, enlarges our pores making us susceptible to environmental clogging, and the increase of ‘tropical acne’ and congestion 
• At the end of the day in the heat and humidity, our skin feels like it’s covered in a blanket of grime  
• Dead skin sheds off, but becomes ‘trapped’ by sweat and oil, meaning that our skin can often feel rough
• Make-up is hopeless.  Unless it’s just required for a short time, it just sweats off and leaves skin looking patchy and dirty
• Being in constant air conditioning can cause dryness, although the one good thing about humidity is that we are not losing as much moisture, so unless you are sitting inside all day, this should balance itself out
• If we are prone to melasma, heat, regardless of direct sunlight, will make melasma worse

How humidity affects our hair

• We lose most of our heat out through our head and feet, so if we are overheating, these are the areas that we should try and cool down.  It does mean however, that we are sweating more in these areas.  
• Our hair is becoming greasier with excess sweat and combined with increased moisture, it looks limp and greasy
• The excess oil from our scalp runs down our forehead and onto our face adding to our skin woes

Tips for tackling humidity and skin issues

I have found that when it comes to humidity and skin, certainly less is more since living in it.  I find that using too many products tends to make my skin feel heavier.  We want to feel as fresh and as light as possible in these climates, and so I recommend using just a few good quality products and a couple of weekly masks and exfoliators.

Cleansing

• A gel cleanser is best as it is not stripping your skin, but it is also not adding any extra moisture.  Societe Everyday Cleanser, Cosmedix Purity Clean, Aspect Dr Deep Clean, Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse and Osmosis MD Purify are all very good options that make you feel clean and fresh.
• I have been using Dermalist Lactic Cleanser, but as I stated in my recent Dermalist review, it is a creamy texture and does not leave my skin feeling super fresh.  I prefer a gel.

Exfoliators

• While over-exfoliating is not a good thing, living in humidity often means that you can get away with exfoliating at least twice per week, maybe even three times.  I like to use both a granular and enzyme exfoliator to mix it up a bit and my favourites are Aspect Illuminating Polish, Dermalist Ultra Smoothing Facial Exfoliant, Aspect Dr Lazamyne Peel, Aspect Fruit Enzyme Mask and Osmosis MD Polish.  Exfoliating will ensure that we are removing dead skin cells and ensuring that our pores are free from congestion.

Serums

• You are most likely already using a host of serums, but if you are still struggling with your skin, particularly congestion and enlarged pores, perhaps pairing back could be the answer.  I have found that by using less serums, my skin feels and looks fresher.  This doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on all those vitamins though.  Using serums that are multi actioned are key.  Some great examples of these serums are: Dermalist All Serum, Osmosis Replenish, Cosmedix Refine and Aspect Dr OptiBoost.  You could also team one of your favourite serums with the Cosmedix mixing crystals too, which come in vitamin B and vitamin C.  This is a great way of not weighing down your serum routine but ensuring you are getting everything you need.  I love mixing them with Osmosis MD Rescue or Societe Intense Firming Complex.

SPF

• Zinc is an excellent SPF for those living in humidity.  It is not only a natural anti-inflammatory, but it also has a mattifying effect, which is great for under makeup or just keeping your skin as oil free as possible.  Zinc these days is super milled, meaning that it is in very small particles, so it does not look thick or white on your skin.  But rest assured that this does not mean that they mill it into nano-particles.  Many people have concerns of nano-particles from SPF getting into your system, but these are not that small.  Zinc acts as a shield between yourself and the sun, so it is great for those with melasma, but it does need to be reapplied, as with all sunscreens.  It is a great idea to get a daily moisturiser that contains zinc and my recommendations are: Medik8 Physical Sunscreen, Societe Prime and Defend, Osmosis Protect and Aspect Dr Hydra Shield.  

Masks

• What I love about masks is that you can whack one on and feel like you have been to the clinic for a treatment (well not quite, but almost).  Masks can double as an overnight cream, they can remove impurities or they can target a specific skin concern.  With humidity, I like to use a weekly detox mask that removes deep grime from my pores and removes excess oil.  For this, I love Cosmedix Detox Activated Charcoal Mask, Medik8 Natural Clay Mask, or Aspect Exfoliating Clay Mask.  I would apply one of these once per week.  If you suffer from oily skin and acne, Cosmedix Clear Mask is the one for you!
• For nourishment, I always use Aspect Probiotic Mask.  I actually use this as a night cream and apply it to my face, neck and hands.  You will wake with super soft skin.

Moisturisers

• If you’re not using a moisturiser with added SPF, then you’ll want something light.  It doesn’t necessarily have to be oil free, but it doesn’t need to have all the extra moisturising ingredients either – you don’t need to feel weighed down by a heavy cream.  I suggest: Osmosis Quench, Aspect Sheer Hydration, Medik8 Balance Moisturiser with Glycolic Acid Activator or Societe Vitamin D Complex.  These are all lovely lightweight yet nourishing options.

Makeup

• If you are someone who loves to wear makeup, then you’ll understand the challenges of wearing it in humidity.  It just doesn’t have staying power due to excess sweat and the added moisture in the air.  It is therefore important to find something that feels good to wear and that lasts the day.  Getting the base is really important.  Applying a mattifying SPF underneath is a great start.  A primer such as Jane Iredale Smooth Affair Primer for Oily Skin is designed to matte your skin ready for makeup application.  If you prefer a liquid base, Jane Iredale Beyond Matte is perfect for looking fresh all day and staying matte.  If you prefer a powder, using a mineral is best as it contains no chemicals that can cause oiliness.  I suggest Aspect Minerals, ColoreScience, Osmosis or Jane Iredale ranges.  Using waterproof mascara is also important.  Trust me, humidity makes it run!

Hair

• We lo longer stock shampoo in our clinic, but I can give you some advice from trial and error.  My advice is for thin hair, as that is what I unfortunately have.  Humidity makes my thin hair limp,  while my 11 year old daughter, who has hair like Hagrid from Harry Potter, gets the frizz, so we do not use the same products.  For me, I use a completely organic, no chemical shampoo that I buy from a local village lady.  It looks and smells like mud but it is the only thing that I have found to work and means that I can go a day without washing my hair.  Supermarket shampoos were making my ends so dry and brittle but the scalp so greasy.  Not fun.  So if you can find a natural option, give it a go!

Air Conditioning

• You just have to have an aircon if you are living in the humidity, especially to sleep, but given the drying detriment it has on our skin, and the power it costs to keep them running, if you are working in air conditioning at home, try turning it off and using a regular fan.  This means that the air is circulating but we are not drying out our skin.  Going in and out of aircon all day can confuse our skin; is it dry, is it oily?  Who knows.  This is just a little tip that might help if you have dry but oily skin.

 

Recommended Skin Care For Humidity and Skin

If you need any help in choosing your skin care, you can email us at info@theskincareclinic.com.au.

 

 

 

 

 

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