Matthew Patey OBE
Founder, Skin Health Alliance
When you’re soaking up the sunshine, the last thing on your mind may be your skincare routine, but beating the heat also means taking a revised look at how to boost skin hydration.
Hydration is an important part of skincare routines all year round to maintain steady oil production and the skin’s barrier against irritants. But when we’re sweating and sunbathing, keeping an eye on the skin’s hydration is extra important.
We lose moisture during sun exposure, as UV rays cause direct damage to the skin barrier and hinder its ability to retain moisture. We also need to replace moisture lost through sweating or air conditioning use.
Simple, consistent routines with easy lifestyle swaps are key to keeping hydrated over the summer.
A minimal routine
Two gentle cleanses a day help remove excess sweat, suncream and oil while keeping the skin barrier intact. Lightweight moisturisers also directly boost hydration in a non-greasy way. Finally, finish morning routines with SPF to protect the skin’s barrier against sun exposure.
Also consider the number of times you exfoliate throughout the week — overdoing it can cause further barrier disruption.
For more information on creating a minimalist skincare routine tailored to your skin type, take a look at the guidance from the Skin Health Alliance.
Ingredient analysis
Reviewing the ingredients in your routine helps ensure you’re still getting essential care even while using fewer products. Humectants — ingredients that bind water to the skin — are key to maintaining moisture, so look out for hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and glycerin on your ingredient lists. Ceramides, niacinamide and squalene are also barrier-support superheroes.
UV rays cause direct damage to the skin barrier and hinder its ability to retain moisture
Lifestyle updates
Beyond drinking lots of water, there are small lifestyle tweaks you can make to maintain skin hydration. Switching from hot to lukewarm showers helps maintain a healthy level of the skin’s natural oils. H2O can be topped up with water-rich foods, like watermelon and cucumber. Plus, consider switching to a humidifier if you currently use air conditioning in your home, to counteract its drying effect.
