Happy July 1st everyone! As I’m writing this, my country has been experiencing heatwave weather for the last 2 months or so now. From what I’ve read in the news, this would go on for another few months. There has also been a number of cases where people had been affected by heatstroke. Thankfully most of them recovered. I believe this phenomenon is happening all over the world in different countries with various degrees.
Apart from affecting the human health, this heatwave definitely has affected our skin’s health as well. The dehydration rate is faster without any of us realizing it until we experience tightness or itchiness on our skin. A healthy skin that has a strong barrier defence may be able to prevent or slow down the trans epidermal water loss if you have been taking care of your skin. The skin barrier can be weakened if no proper skin care routine was established and or insufficient water intake on a daily basis. Of course a healthy diet plays an important role that supports our skin health.
Here are 5 things that you can do that will help to support your skin health.
1.You need to hydrate yourself. Drinking lots of fluid ie water in a day should be a normal routine for everyone. If you are a coffee or tea drinker, do know that they are diuretic and you will need to step up on hydrating yourself even more. Why is this so important? Well our body is made out of about 70% water. By hydrating our body, we allow the organs to function better by cleaning out our system effectively and channelling nutrients to the respective parts of the body including our skin.
2. Seek shade and limit sun exposure. Avoid direct sunlight, especially during peak hours when the sun’s rays are the strongest (usually between 10 am and 4 pm). Stay in shaded areas or use umbrellas, hats, and protective clothing to minimize skin exposure.
3. Use a good moisturiser. Heat can deplete moisture from the skin, leading to dryness and irritation or itchiness. Look for products with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin or any ingredient that promotes hydration. If you have not been using a moisturiser, now is the time. Apply the moisturiser every night before going to bed. I would suggest to get different types of moisturiser for the face, body and feet. These parts of the body has different skin thickness and sensitivity.
4. Use a humidifier or diffuser at home or at the office. I have several diffusers at home where I like to use in various parts of the house. If I’m not using any essential oil to diffuse, I would fill up the diffuser with plain water and leave it on for the night. As we sleep in an air-conditioned room, the humidity level can drop rather quickly during the night. By leaving the diffuser on, it helps to keep the moisture level in the room relatively stable and minimizes dryness to our skin.
5. Take cool showers. Hot showers can strip the skin of its natural oils and contribute to dryness. Opt for cool showers instead, as they help soothe the skin and prevent excessive moisture loss. Also, avoid using harsh soaps or cleansers that can further dry out the skin. You can try cream cleansers if the current cleansers are too drying for your skin.
Remember, everyone’s skin is unique, so it’s essential to pay attention to your skin’s specific needs and make adjustments as necessary. I hope these tips are helpful and let me know in the comments what information would you like to know with regards to skin care.
Take care and stay safe.
