Skincare for Warm & Humid Weather

Warm, humid weather encourages perspiration and moderate oil production, especially across the T-zone. After several hours outdoors, skin may be shiny around the forehead and nose but slightly dehydrated around the cheeks, particularly when moving repeatedly into air-conditioned spaces. Use a light hydrating serum, gel-lotion and breathable sunscreen. Cleanse at the end of the day to remove sweat, sunscreen and environmental buildup, but avoid harsh oil-stripping cleansers. Hair may become frizzy or lose its style while the scalp becomes sweaty. Choose a gentle shampoo, lightweight conditioner and humidity-control serum through the lengths. Keep rich oils and masks away from the roots unless the scalp is naturally dry.

Hydrate Lightly - Keep Skin Clear

During four to five hours of sightseeing or outdoor activity, warm temperatures can increase perspiration while humid air slows its evaporation. Travellers may not drink enough water, particularly when they are busy walking, shopping or relying on coffee, sugary drinks or alcohol. The face can therefore become shiny while still feeling tired or dehydrated underneath.

At 60-80% humidity, the skin may experience a combination of sweat, surface oil and changing hydration. Sweat and sunscreen can collect around the forehead, nose and chin, while repeated movement into air-conditioned surroundings may leave the cheeks feeling tight. Temperature and humidity can influence hydration, sebum levels, skin pH and barrier behaviour.

What may happen to your skin:

• Persistent perspiration: The skin may remain damp during walking, sightseeing or outdoor transport.
• Oily T-zone: Sweat and sebum can create visible shine around the forehead, nose and chin.
• Dryness in selected areas: The cheeks and mouth area may feel dehydrated despite the humid surroundings.
• Congestion from product buildup: Reapplied sunscreen, makeup, sweat and pollution may accumulate throughout the day.
• Increased breakout tendency: Research has associated summer heat and humidity with acne aggravation in some people.

The right approach:

The priority is to maintain hydration while keeping the skin fresh and breathable. Choose:

• A lightweight serum containing glycerin, hyaluronic acid, panthenol or beta-glucan
• A water-based gel-lotion that absorbs without leaving a heavy film
• Moderate-strength niacinamide when suitable for the individual’s skin
• A gentle, low-foaming cleanser after a long day outdoors
• Lightweight, non-comedogenic, water-resistant sunscreen
• Regular water intake rather than relying primarily on sweetened or alcoholic drinks

When wearing water-resistant sunscreen or makeup, remove the surface layer with micellar water or a lightweight cleansing oil before using a gentle facial cleanser. The ideal mantra for this weather is: Hydrate Lightly - Keep Skin Clear. The aim is not to remove every trace of natural oil. It is to prevent sweat and product build-up while replacing the water the skin needs.

Skincare Ideal for These Climates and Countries

Year-round:

• Year-round: Cartagena, Colombia; Honolulu, USA

 Winter / cooler months:

• December-April: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Panama City, Panama
• January-March: Mombasa, Kenya
• November-March: Bangkok, Thailand; Lagos, Nigeria
• November-May: Manila, Philippines

Shoulder months:

• None / uncommon for this climate band.

Summer / hotter months:

• April-October: Guangzhou, China; Shenzhen, China
• December-February: Buenos Aires, Argentina; Sydney, Australia
• December-March: Auckland, New Zealand
• June-September: Tokyo, Japan; Osaka, Japan; Kyoto, Japan; Seoul, South Korea
• May-October: Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Taipei, Taiwan; Miami, USA; Orlando, USA; Havana, Cuba; Cancún, Mexico
• May-September: Shanghai, China; New Orleans, USA; Houston, USA
• November-March: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; São Paulo, Brazil; Durban, South Africa
• October-April: Brisbane, Australia