Sun and humidity protection is crucial for everyone — but especially if you live somewhere with the extremes of the South. Basking in the hot sun without taking proper precautions can cause wrinkles, discoloration and even skin cancer. That’s why using skincare products tailored to extreme sun and heat is crucial.
For an expert opinion, we spoke with cosmetic surgeon Dr. Svetlana Danovich about skin protection in hot, humid climates. From facial mist to gel-based serums, she has a 7-step skincare routine to provide ultimate sun protection.
3 Steps for Cleansing and Prepping
1. Squeaky Clean: First, Danovich recommends cleansing your skin thoroughly with Augustinus Bader’s Cream Cleansing Gel. In especially humid climates, she recommends using it first thing in the morning, and right before bed, too.
“It’s designed to remove impurities like sweat, make-up, and sunscreen,” Danovich tells us. “It is very important to look for a mild cleanser without sulfates, glycolic acid, and artificial fragrances. These ingredients tend to cause irritation, especially after sun exposure.”
2. Bi Weekly Deep Clean: Twice weekly, you’ll also want to incorporate a clarifying French clay mask into your routine, which provides you with a deep cleanse, and is crucial especially for oily skin.
“This will help eliminate debris, dead surface skin cell accumulation and toxins, as well as purify pores to minimize their appearance,” Danovich says. “Look for ingredients like illite and kaolin in a mask. They are considered to be the mildest of all the clays and work well for normal, sensitive, and mature skin types.”
3. Lock in Moisture: Next, you’ll want to lightly spritz a face mist like Omorovicza Queen Essence. It will keep your skin moist and will help absorb other products within your skin care regimen.
“Look for products that do not contain isopropyl alcohol or artificial fragrances. They can often cause dryness and irritation,” Danovich explains. “Instead, look for a facial mist or essence that contains hyaluronic acid along with antioxidants like vitamins C and E.”
4 Skincare Steps That Lock In Hydration and Block UV
1. Plump It: Once your skin is clean, you’ll want to move onto hydration. Exoceuticlas EXO H-SERUM will keep your skin looking young forever, especially with daily use.
“Optimized levels of hyaluronic acid at varying molecular weights significantly boosts skin hydration, plumps the skin and improves the look of fine lines,” she tells us. “It’s important because you’re sweating a lot when it’s humid, which means your skin is releasing a lot of the water that aids its hydration.”
2. Mandatory Nourishment: Another daily must is a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer. “People tend to think that if they have oily skin, they do not need a moisturizer, which is not true. You actually need hydration to keep skin nourished and supple,” Danovich explains.
“Saccharide isomerate is a great ingredient to look for in a moisturizer. … It restores skin hydration by mimicking the composition of carbohydrates found in [upper layers of the skin].”
3. Nighttime Rejuvenation: These days, retinol is all the rage. However, Danovich prefers retinol alternatives, like Melatonik Overnight recovery serum. She only uses it at night, so it won’t damage your skin in the sun.
“Bakuchiol is a natural, plant-derived alternative to retinol. It offers similar benefits without the common side effects like irritation or photosensitivity,” Danovich tells us. “Niacinamide is also an ideal ingredient. … It enhances the skin barrier and visibly improves the look of skin discoloration from sun damage.”
4. Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen: The one aspect of skincare Danovich “can’t emphasize enough” is using sunscreen daily. Her choice is the luxurious Augustinus Bader’s The Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 but or something a little more affordable for everyday use, try the top-rated Coppertone WaterBabies (trust us).
“It’s important to look for a mineral-based broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of [at least] 30 for daily wear,” she says.
Skincare Must-Haves For Ultimate Sun Protection
- Don’t forget to cleanse
- Face mist helps lock it all in
- A deep clean twice per week
- Gel-based serums will keep you looking young
- Consider retinol alternatives
- Daily moisturizer and sunscreen is a must
