It’s the time of year for UK heatwave warnings and travel to hot countries. Stay chic in the heat with our beauty director’s simple trick for heatwave-proof beauty.
When summer hits, many of us instinctively reach for more products: not just SPF, but extra hydrators, primers and powders to combat dry, tight skin, sweat, shine and redness.
But, like with summer fashion, where the layers instinctively come off, I’d actually suggest the opposite approach. Summer is a time to strip back your routine, with multi-tasking solutions that work twice as hard.
Why less is more in the heat
In warm temperatures and humidity, any product you put on your face has an increased risk of sliding off, looking cakey, or trapping heat against your skin (leading to that flushed feeling).
Moisturisers are a big culprit, which is frustrating when you want to keep your skin hydrated in the sunshine. It’s because they tend to be oil-rich, often with a creamy or balmy texture, and these nourishing ingredients are both heavier on your skin, and melt at lower temperatures.
You can face a similar problem with foundations – the fuller coverage combination of pigments and emollients can make you sweat more which, in turn, can lead to clogged pores and a patchy, cakey finish.
Worn alone each of these products can be a battle to get right when the temperatures soar, but even more so if you try to layer them. Don’t embrace the struggle. Instead, let each product you choose work smarter, not harder. Here’s how.
How to strip back your routine, step-by-step
1. Choose lightweight, multitasking formulas
The only product you need to wear on your face and body during the summer is sunscreen – it’s non-negotiable. But, if you do want a little bit of extra coverage or hydration, the aim of the game is that every product you use works harder but feels lighter. Tinted SPF can be a particular star of your streamlined routine, combining that all important sun protection with a sheer veil of coverage in both glossy or matte finishes. Look for formulas with soothing ingredients like niacinamide or chamomile in the mix too. This has the extra benefit of keeping your skin calm and less red throughout the day.
Merit’s The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 and Supergoop! Protec(Tint) Daily SPF Tint SPF 50 both come in high factors and a wide range of shades that stretch to match all skin tones, making your face ready for the day with just one product.
2. Swap moisturisers for cooling hydrators
SPF might be non-negotiable in the sunshine, but a day cream doesn’t have to be. In fact, if you have an oilier complexion, you might want to skip it in the heat all together. Instead, try using a hydrating serum or a facial mist infused with calming botanicals to provide a refreshing burst throughout the day when, and if, you need it. Try de Mamiel’s Multi-Active Hyrdamist Toner.
Even for dry skin, you want to avoid layering multiple moisturisers or heavy creams as this can trap heat, leading to redness and irritation. Instead, look for one light hydrator or gel-cream designed to cool and calm the skin. Products with aloe vera or cucumber extract help lower skin temperature and reduce the risk of flare-ups too. We love Vichy’s Mineral 89 Moisture Matte Sorbet.
Not sure what your skin type is? You can quickly work out if your skin is dry enough to actually need moisturiser in the heat by washing your face in the morning as normal, waiting half an hour, and then observing your skin’s appearance. If your complexion feels tight, rough, or looks flaky, it’s on the drier side.
3. Skip the powder – use hydrating setting sprays instead
Powder might keep shine down for much of the year, but in hot weather it can easily cake, cling to dry patches, or settle into fine lines – especially if you’re sweating. Instead, swap your traditional powder for a hydrating setting spray.
Not only will these sprays lock your makeup in place without dulling your glow, they can hydrate your complexion and keep it feeling fresh, not flat. A quick spritz throughout the day also helps cool the skin, regulating your skin’s temperature and reducing redness – a Godsend if you’re prone to flushing in the heat. The new Urban Decay All Nighter Hyaluronic Setting Spray (an update of the iconic formula) also helps any makeup you are wearing ‘pop’, perfect for adding flushes of colour. Another great option for long-lasting hold is Refy’s Dewy Setting Spray.
4. Be preventive not reactive
If you look in the mirror after a day in the heat and then hurry to combat redness, irritation, or oiliness, after they’ve already appeared, you’re missing an easy-to-fix trick. Stop heatwave side effects before they start, by making your morning routine just as much about keeping your skin cool, calm, and balanced. This preemptive approach reduces flare-ups and means you probably won’t find yourself reaching for more and more coverage each day.
The easiest way to do this? Don’t just save your after suns for moments after you burn. Have them as part of your pre-holiday routine too. This will keep your skin smooth and soothed, meaning irritation is less likely to set in. Lean into using a nourishing, restorative moisturiser in the evening too (when the heat of the day has cooled) so it will stay in place to soften and repair. Try Naturium Multi-Peptide Rich Cream for a formula that doesn’t feel heavy.
5. Embrace the power of multi-use tools
Want to add a little something extra to your heatwave beauty look? Multitasking makeup products can – like your skincare – simplify your routine and reduce the number of layers you apply, helping your skin stay cool, comfortable and as you intended (no smudging or sliding allowed).
Products that deserve a place in your beach bag include: a lip and cheek tint balm with soothing properties (like Milk Makeup’s Cooling Water Jelly Tint); a mascara and brow gel-in-one that conditions as it defines (you can’t go wrong with Ruby Hammer’s Mascara & Brow Duo); and a hydrating balm that doubles as a natural highlighter (try Tatcha The Serum Stick). These products help you create a cohesive, natural look without overloading your skin. Apply with your fingertips to cheeks, lips, and eyelids for a natural, dewy flush.
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