Summer is the season of fun in the sun, but keeping your skin happy can be a challenge thanks to heat, humidity, UV rays, chlorine, and air conditioning—not to mention the KN95 mask on top. Read on to get our top 5 tips on skincare for humid weather, and our Dermatological Advisor Dr. Anne Chapas' expert advice, to look your radiant best during the season of natural beauty and minimal makeup.
1. Stay hydrated from the inside out-and outside in
From moisture-zapping air conditioning to pool chlorine and airplane air, summertime is full of parched-skin potential even in a humid climate. Staying well-hydrated optimizes your skin's ability to flush unwanted toxins and maintain a smooth, supple texture, so no matter your skin type, your best skin care routine starts by meeting your internal hydration needs. The recommended daily fluid intake for women is 91 ounces (2.7 liters)—and that's before climate, activity level and metabolism are factored into the equation, so make sure to drink up.
To hydrate from the outside in, look for skincare active ingredients that help boost moisture retention and reduce trans-epidermal water loss (or TEWL). "Within The Brilliant and The Absolute collections, every product contains hyaluronic acid, a powerful humectant that helps lock in moisture while reducing TEWL,” says Dr. Chapas. Another powerful ingredient, orobanche rapum extract (found in The Brilliant Prime Radiance Serum and The Absolute Intense Renewal Serum) helps boost skin's moisture retention. And both The Brilliant Vibrant Eye Infusion and The Absolute Restoring Eye Cream contain silk protein that, according to Dr. Chapas, "has incredible water-binding abilities for long-lasting hydration and reduction of TEWL."
2. Lighten up with serums
Summer’s blazing heat and humidity can make even your favorite moisturizer feel intolerably heavy, especially if you have oily skin. Pare down by switching to a lightweight serum with high-performance active ingredients to deeply fortify, nourish, and hydrate—while leaving a barely-there feel on the skin.
The Brilliant Prime Radiance Serum is a lightweight, fluid formulation with malachite, bakuchiol, glycolic acid and other potent active ingredients that help strengthen, smooth, and brighten," Dr. Chapas explains. "And The Absolute Intense Renewal Serum is a sheer, weightless formula that includes retinol and teprenone to boost collagen and elastin for visibly replenished, smoother, firmer skin."
3. Control excess oil with retinol and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs)
When the temperature and humidity level are on the rise, skin's sebaceous glands naturally increase oil production in response. So while it might be impossible to maintain a perfectly matte complexion during hot humid weather, it is possible to control excess oil with active ingredients such as retinol and AHAs.
According to Dr. Chapas, "Retinol stimulates collagen to create firmer skin, which helps keep pores tightened and less susceptible to emitting oil.” Products that feature retinol, including all in The Absolute collection, work to reduce the overall oiliness of the skin. AHAs like those found in The Brilliant Overnight Recharge Cream and The Absolute Rejuvenation Night Balm also work to help reduce oil buildup. "Glycolic and lactic acids, both AHAs, gently exfoliate by removing sweat, oil, sebum, and dead skin cells—as well as makeup and sunscreen that can cause breakouts and dull skin," Dr. Chapas explains.
4. Get your beauty sleep
While serums are ideal for sweltering-hot days, rich, restorative night creams still have their place in your summer skincare routine. The cool overnight hours allow skin time for deep restoration, helping it awaken revitalized and fully fortified to take on the environmental aggressors of the day. Both The Brilliant Overnight Recharge Cream and The Absolute Rejuvenation Night Balm work in synergy with skin’s nighttime cellular repair cycle to boost its reparative and regenerative actions.
First, each multi-action formula exfoliates and detoxifies the skin with active ingredients like marine water and AHAs to encourage cellular turnover and flush out impurities. Next, skin is replenished and nourished with peptides, retinol, and gotu kola extract to stimulate regeneration and collagen production. Finally, skin is maximally hydrated with kelp extract, cacao extract, and red seaweed extract to create optimal moisture balance—and radiant, luminous, makeup-optional results.
5. Make masks your friend
Everyone's experiencing stressed skin these days, living in the face of climate extremes and COVID-19. Regularly wearing a mask during hot humid weather can lead to skin irritation and breakouts—but a few easy habits will help keep skin clear:
- Keep skin well-hydrated to reduce the potential for friction—and irritation and chafing
- Avoid wearing makeup under your mask to help avert clogged pores and irritation
- Never reuse disposable masks and wash reusable masks after each wearing
- Cleanse skin every morning and evening to remove dirt, oil, and bacteria, and
- Cleanse after each mask wearing if your skin is particularly acne prone.
And of course, the mask we're most fond of is our Chronobiology Sleep Mask. Apply before you sleep to enhance skin's natural detox, repair, and regeneration processes—and awaken to firm, plump, replenished skin.
