Be honest – will your skincare routine actually protect you from this week's heatwave? If the answer is not a definitive yes, you've come to the right place.
Here’s what you probably don’t know about your skin during a heatwave. It needs a lot of moisture (and I mean a lot). The relentless heat that lingers well past sundown – exacerbated by the total lack of air conditioning in the UK – combined with UV exposure and humidity creates the perfect breeding grounds for dehydration. As dermatologist Dr. Sandra Lee explains “Dehydration makes your skin more vulnerable to damage – and it can make fine lines and dullness more noticeable, too.” The heat accelerates water loss, ramps up oil production and suddenly your skin barrier is struggling to replenish itself fast enough.
Your moisturiser that was perfect last week? Suddenly too heavy. Your serum? No longer enough. And if you’re not reapplying sunscreen every two hours, well, keep reading.
© Getty ImagesSo then how do you protect your skin during a heatwave? It’s simple. The solution is knowing which products are actually built for this kind of weather and finding one that fits you. A serum that continues to drench your skin with moisture giving you that plump, dewy finish even as the heat becomes harder to bear. A refreshing mist to soothe and cool your skin when it’s feeling dry and tight. An overnight treatment that works hard while you rest after a long (hot) exhausting day.
Below is a list of eight of our favourite skincare picks for surviving a heatwave. Lightweight and painstakingly hardworking, you are sure to find your new holy-grail product.
Skincare essentials for the heatwave:
Hyaluronic Acid Serum 30ml
Inkey
Perfect for all skin types, this lightweight multi-molecular hyaluronic acid serum is your go-to during a heatwave to replenish the water your skin loses.
B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum 50ml
Drunk Elephant
The blend of pro-vitamin B5, pineapple ceramide and watermelon rind creates the ultimate moisture replenishing serum. Its gel texture prepares for the most perfect base.
Resveratrol-Lift, Firming Eye Gel Cream
Caudalíe
Keep your under-eye area looking bright and fresh with this cooling gel-cream that targets puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines. Its lightweight texture makes it perfect for preventing migration into the eyes on very hot sweaty days. Keep it in the fridge for an extra cooling boost.
Thermal Spring Water Spray 50ml
Avène
The perfect little addition to your purse this week (and every week after) for an instant refresh. Avène’s mineral-rich thermal water helps to soothe flushed and irritated skin. Stay fresh on the go, all day long.
Birch Juice Moisturising Toner
Round Lab
If your moisturiser feels too heavy the moment the temperature rises, Round Lab’s birch juice toner is your new best friend. Lightweight but deeply hydrating, leaving you with that perfect dewy finish.
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence – 100ml
COSRX
The best-kept secret in K-beauty. Snail mucin is highly effective in hydrating, soothing and repairing the skin, alongside its anti-ageing properties. The COSRX power essence pulls moisture back into your skin after a long day's battle against the sun.
Cicapair Tiger Grass Cream 50ml
Dr. Jart+
Post-sun treatment is just as important as pre-sun prep and this Dr. Jart+ intensive repair cream is the only right answer. Packed with centella asiatica, the secret ingredient to calming, repairing, and regenerating your heat-stressed skin overnight.
Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask 60ml
Glow Recipe
The final overnight step to your evening routine. The combination of watermelon extract, hyaluronic acid, and AHAs, work together to deeply hydrate and exfoliate your skin without causing irritations, even on sensitive skin.
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