Beat the heat: Skin saviours to help you glow all summer

Summer weather can be both a blessing and a curse for our complexion. These skin saviours will help you beat the season’s most common beauty concerns.

Seasonal changes can trigger a transitional period for our skin as it acclimatises to the conditions, but there are ways to minimise the impact on our complexion.

Warmer weather is often credited for glowing skin, but it can also exacerbate certain skin concerns. 

Thankfully, adjusting your skin care can effectively offset any skin flare-ups during summer – and, according to Adelaide dermatologist Dr Corinne Maiolo, it doesn’t need to be complex.

Here are five common summer beauty concerns, plus the skin saviours you’ll need to beat them:

#1. Clogged pores

Summer heat can trigger sweating, increased oil production – and clogged pores.

Summer skin saviours

To unclog pores, Dr Maiolo recommends using a chemical exfoliant paired with a lighter, oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturiser that won’t congest the skin. 

#2. Acne

Yes, breakouts get worse when the mercury rises. 

These acne flare-ups are mainly due to insufficient cleaning – we simply sweat more when it’s hot and this increased perspiration, mixed with the build-up of sunscreen and grime, means our skin becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.

Summer skin saviours

Cleaning your skin not once, but twice is the way to go – remove make-up with your preferred multi-purpose cleanser or cleansing oil, then repeat. 

“Double cleansing is really important because it ensures everything has been removed off your skin and helps prevent breakouts,” skincare influencer Natasha Krstevski says.

#3. Dry skin

Indoor cooling takes the edge off the heat but, unfortunately, it can also aggravate dry skin.

Summer skin saviours:

Layering hydration in the form of nourishing serums and moisturisers can help to offset dehydrated skin.

#4. Sun damage

As we age, skin concerns such as melasma, rosacea and hyperpigmentation become more common. While there’s no formula for preventing the skin issues altogether, sun exposure is a known trigger, which adds to the ever-growing list of reasons why sun protection is so important. 

Summer skin saviours

“We should be wearing SPF all year round, but it’s even more important on days with extended outdoor exposure,” Natasha says. 

“It’s a lot easier to wear it daily if you like the formulation and finish, so try road-testing different SPF products until you find one that you like.”

For more advanced signs of hyperpigmentation, laser treatments have also been shown to help reduce excess melanin.

#5. Cakey make-up that doesn’t last

Heavy make-up doesn’t cope too well in the heat and humidity, and usually won’t stay put for long.

Summer skin savours

Adopting a lighter base during summer can actually help your make-up last the distance. 

Skin tints and spot concealers are great options for providing coverage where needed while allowing your skin to breathe. 

Even if you have an oily T-zone, it’s far easier to touch up and mattify the skin when there’s not a lot of product compared to wearing heavy foundation, which is prone to separating in the heat.

Read more on summer beauty:

• Hot tips to heat proof your hair and make-up this summer
• Are you using sunscreen correctly?
• 5 ways to up your fake tan game this summer
• 6 must-dos to keep your hair healthy this summer
• Setting sprays: How to lock in your make-up for a look that lasts

Written by Charlotte Brundrett.