6 Expert-Recommended Beauty Tips for Coping with Summer Heat

      I don't know about you, but when temperatures rise, my skincare routine tends to unravel quickly, much like an election promise. With concerns such as dehydrated skin, excess oil, sweat, clogged pores, and the ongoing need to reapply SPF, maintaining a happy complexion during the heat can feel like a full-time job. According to Dr. Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist and founder of Self London, "the problem is that heat boosts oil production, expands blood vessels (worsening redness), and can ironically trigger dehydration, causing skin to lose water more rapidly even while feeling oily. Add sweat, makeup breakdown, and friction into the mix, and it creates a situation ripe for congestion and irritation." That's why I reached out to Dr. Mahto and several other skincare experts to get their recommendations for simple adjustments to keep skin healthy, balanced, and radiant through the hottest summer days. Below are six expert-approved tips that will help your complexion thrive, regardless of how high the temperatures soar.

      **6 Beauty Tips for Coping with Summer Heat**

      1. **Avoid Heavy Creams**

      I'm a big fan of Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream, but I have to put it aside during a heat wave. Dr. Mahto explains that "heavy creams sit on the skin uncomfortably." Instead, she often recommends that "a gentle cleanser and a non-greasy SPF are sufficient." Good to know.

       - **Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel**

       This lightweight gel excels at removing makeup and sweat without compromising your skin barrier. It contains bioavailable vitamins and fruit enzymes that help eliminate dead skin cells, leaving the skin feeling fresh and smooth.

       - **Biore UV Aqua Rich Water Essence Sunscreen SPF50**

       This sunscreen offers exceptional value. Its texture resembles a lightweight fluid, yet it delivers outstanding hydration, allowing you to skip moisturizer. The protection is equally impressive, and after years of use, I can confidently say it lasts all day.

      2. **Protect Your Barrier**

      Many believe their skincare products become ineffective during a heatwave, but that's not entirely true. "In reality, it's often the air conditioning that pulls moisture from the skin," notes Dr. Gizem Seymenoglu, a medical aesthetic practitioner based in London. She adds, "As humidity decreases, the skin loses water more easily, producing a tight and dry sensation. Those with sensitive skin are particularly prone to moisture loss in air-conditioned environments." While it may be tempting to add more skincare products, focusing on supporting the skin barrier is crucial; a straightforward routine involving regular moisturizing and hydration is often far more effective.

       - **Reome Active Recovery Broth**

       This serum has become a staple for me whenever my skin needs help. Enriched with centella asiatica, lotus flower, and 16 other biomimetic actives, you'll wake up to calmer and brighter skin. Unsure about biomimetic? These are skincare ingredients designed to replicate substances or processes naturally occurring in the skin, helping support repair, hydration, or protection.

       - **The Ordinary Soothing and Barrier Support Serum**

       If you're looking for budget-friendly barrier support, this option is hard to beat. It is packed with skin-replenishing ingredients that help calm redness, strengthen the skin barrier, and reduce sensitivity over time, making it an affordable essential for stressed and dehydrated skin.

      3. **Skip Actives**

      Like many of you, retinol and acids are staples in my skincare, but Dr. Mahto recommends avoiding them, especially when your skin is reacting to the heat. Instead, I've turned to products based on niacinamide, which help enhance radiance, minimize the appearance of pores, and strengthen the skin barrier. Bakuchiol is also a plant-based retinol alternative that works well for sensitive skin, delivering similar benefits without the irritation.

       - **Erborian Glow Moisturiser**

       This recently came into my possession, and I must say, the glow it provides is exceptional. Plus, I'm confident that the niacinamide is effectively refining my skin texture.

       - **Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides**

       This product offers retinol-like benefits without the associated dryness and is an excellent choice for anyone looking to promote skin renewal while maintaining a happy barrier in the heat.

      4. **Always Reapply SPF**

      Many people apply SPF in the morning and then forget about it for the rest of the day, but sun protection isn't a one-and-done step. When the UV index is high, reapplication becomes even more essential. "A mist makes reapplying incredibly easy, especially over makeup," suggests skincare expert Anel Lamaine, founder of Skin By Anel Lamine.

       - **La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine Sun Protection Invisible SPF50+ Face Mist**

       This is a summer essential. Not only does it offer broad-spectrum protection, but