Skincare for Hot & Very Dry Weather

Extreme dry heat can pull moisture rapidly from exposed skin. After four to five hours outdoors, the cheeks, lips and eye area may feel tight or rough while heat still produces some oil around the forehead and nose. Layer hydration: begin with glycerin, panthenol or hyaluronic acid, then apply a richer barrier-supporting cream. Use a mild cleanser, moisturising broad-spectrum sunscreen and balm on vulnerable areas such as lips and the sides of the nose. Hair can become very dry, dull, tangled and brittle in arid heat. Use a nourishing conditioner, leave-in cream or serum on the lengths and minimise heat styling. Hydrate, seal and protect.

Replenish, Repair and Protect

Above 35°C and below 30% humidity, the combination of intense heat, very dry air, wind and strong sun can place considerable stress on exposed skin. During a tourist trip, four to five hours outdoors without enough water may leave the body and skin increasingly dehydrated, even when sweat is not very noticeable because it evaporates so rapidly.

The skin may initially produce oil in response to heat, especially around the forehead and nose, while the cheeks, lips and eye area become dry. Very low humidity can reduce water within the stratum corneum, contributing to roughness, tightness and reduced elasticity. Abrupt movement from humid home conditions into very dry surroundings may temporarily disturb barrier adaptation, making the skin feel unusually uncomfortable during the first days of travel.

What may happen to your skin:

• Fast and less visible water loss: Perspiration evaporates quickly, so dehydration may develop without persistent surface sweat.
• Pronounced tightness: The cheeks, lips, eye area and sides of the nose may feel dry or stretched.
• Rough or flaky texture: Very dry air may make the outer skin layer appear uneven.
• Increased sensitivity: Heat, wind, dust and strong sun may leave the skin feeling irritated or reactive.
• A weakened-feeling barrier: Frequent washing, scrubbing or strong active ingredients may intensify dryness and discomfort.

The right approach:

The skin needs generous hydration, barrier-supporting lipids and dependable protection. Choose:

• A hydrating serum containing glycerin, panthenol, beta-glucan or hyaluronic acid
• A moisturising cream containing ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids or squalane
• A richer balm applied only to particularly dry areas such as the lips, cheeks or around the nose
• A gentle cream or low-foaming cleanser, preferably used with lukewarm rather than hot water
• Broad-spectrum SPF 50 or 50+ sunscreen with a moisturising, water-resistant texture
• Frequent water intake and physical protection such as shade, hats and lightweight protective clothing

The ideal mantra for this weather is: Replenish, Repair and Protect. In very dry heat, lightweight hydration alone is unlikely to be enough. The skin needs water, a barrier-supporting cream and strong protection from sun, wind and rapid evaporation.

Skincare Ideal for These Climates and Countries

 Summer / hotter months:

• April-June: Jaisalmer, India
• April-October: Luxor, Egypt; Aswan, Egypt
• July-August: Fresno, USA; Bakersfield, USA
• June-August: Tucson, USA; Ashgabat, Turkmenistan; Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan; Bukhara, Uzbekistan; Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Kerman, Iran
• June-September: Hurghada, Egypt; Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt; Marsa Alam, Egypt; Ouarzazate, Morocco; Zagora, Morocco
• May-June: Jodhpur, India; Bikaner, India
• May-September: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Medina, Saudi Arabia; AlUla, Saudi Arabia; Kuwait City, Kuwait; Baghdad, Iraq; Phoenix, USA; Las Vegas, USA; Palm Springs, USA; Yuma, USA; El Centro, USA; Yazd, Iran
• November-February: Alice Springs, Australia