20 Skincare Products That Are Made For Warm And Humid Days
Hot, humid weather does not mean you can skip out on your daily skincare routine.
By Sofia Kim, Smita DeSouza, & Shazrina Shamsudin,
As the temperatures rise and humidity soars, you might be tempted to skip your serums and moisturiser but your skin needs TLC in hot, humid weather too — especially when it is the default weather in Singapore.
READ MORE: The Lightweight Gel Moisturisers Perfect For Singapore’s Humidity
Heat and humidity cause your skin to sweat and produce excess sebum, which could make your pores look bigger and even lead to breakouts. Staying indoors in air conditioning dehydrates your skin making it feel tight and stretched and excess exposure to the harsh rays of the sun leads to dark spots and sun damage.
Using the right skincare products will help keep your skin moisturised, healthy and thriving even when it’s hot and humid. We’ve picked out a few that you can add to your existing routine.
Formulated with a Teatreement Solution that is enriched with tea tree leaf extract and tea tree leaf oil, this weightless moisturiser glides over the skin without leaving a greasy or tacky finish, making it ideal for humid days. It aids in reducing the appearance of blemishes and rebalances the skin’s pH as well as its moisture levels for a plumper, smoother complexion. Plus, it also contains a Green Calming Complex to soothe, hydrate and calm redness and irritation.
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While it does dispense as a slightly viscous texture, this absorbs into the skin without leaving a sticky residue and instead, feels refreshing upon application. The vegan formula is said to deliver abundant moisture for a plump complexion while targeting enlarged pores, dark spots and rebalances the skin's sebum levels.
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Though our skin tends to get oily during hot, humid days, it does not mean we should skip applying hydrating serums. This is powered by three types of antioxidant-rich plum extracts and features a lightweight texture that strengthens the skin's barrier while soothing and repairing damaged complexions. It is also made with a next-generation hyaluronic acid that come in five different molecular weights to melt into the different layers of the skin for an instant smoothening effect.
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A refreshing toner saturated with superior calming ingredients – its key ingredient artemisia is known for its skin-soothing effects – that comes in a water-like texture, perfect for humid days. It is also said to be equipped with purifying effects and helps attract and retain moisture in the skin by forming a moisture barrier.
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Pampering our skin with a spritz of fast-absorbing and refreshing face mist is a definite must-have during hot and humid days. This is formulated with reishi hyaluronic acid and tremella mushroom, which is known to hold more than seven times its water weight to leave skin feeling hydrated, calm, and refreshed. The micro-fine mist sprays evenly onto the skin and aids in reviving dull, tired complexions.
Buy from Sephora and Strawberrynet
This non-comedogenic, water-light sunscreen is enriched with an advanced Anti-Pollution Technology that aids in providing high protection against UVA and UVB rays. The new refreshing texture offers an instant cooling effect with a reported 24-hour hydration.
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Applying a layer of foundation on hot, sticky days may not be the most ideal, which is why opting for a tone-up sunscreen that evens out skin tone and imparts a radiant finish may be a quick solution. This product does exactly that while protecting the skin from hyperpigmentation, photo-ageing, and oxidative stress effects induced by blue and infra-red light, thanks to its combination of edelweiss plant and a plankton extract.
Buy here and from Sephora
Infused with tamarind pulp extract, which is said to be a form of AHA, this cleanser aids in sloughing away dead skin cell buildup and excess oil accumulated during humid days. Plus, this is equipped with a superior formula that is known to reinforce the skin's hydrolipidic film and acts as a barrier on the skin microbiota to keep moisture locked for a plump, supple and balanced complexion.
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Laneige’s Glowy Makeup Serum has gained popularity on TikTok for good reason. With its lightweight and hydrating formula, the serum effectively controls oil, resulting in visibly smoother skin. Additionally, it applies sheer, providing a beautiful radiance and achieving a supple, dewy finish. It also enhances the adherence of your foundation to the skin, so your base can last longer even with Singapore’s humid weather.
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We love this gentle cleanser for its non-stripping formula that leaves your face feeling clean, fresh and hydrated after each wash. With a bouncy gel consistency, the Matcha Heartleaf Hydrating Cleanser creates a silky lather that slathers away dirt, light make-up, and other water-based impurities.
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A prime step in fighting that midday oil slick is incorporating a blotting powder into your routine, like the Invisimatte Instant Setting & Blotting Powder from Fenty Beauty. This popular product not only absorbs shine but also effectively blurs the appearance of pores and extends the longevity of your makeup throughout the entire day.
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Incorporating a gentle exfoliator into your skincare regimen is key for eliminating dead skin cells and maintaining a smooth, fresh, and clean complexion. Take, for instance, the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant from Paula’s Choice.
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It’s almost always sunny in Singapore, and you really should be wearing sunscreen even on cloudy days. Not only does this lightweight mineral sunscreen offer broad-spectrum protection from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays, but it also helps to provide light, buildable coverage and a natural finish for immediately smooth, even-looking skin. Did we mention, that it’s formulated with 83% skincare ingredients which gives a more radiant appearance and smoother texture over time?
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Humidity tends to make skin more oily, which can easily leave you shiny instead of radiant, while also highlighting enlarged pores. This skincare-makeup hybrid keeps pores clear thanks to BHA (beta hydroxy acid) and Strawberry Enzyme helps refine texture. Tapioca and rice help to refine pores while a plant-derived Pore Minimizer and Strawberry Leaf Extract absorb excess oil. You can use it alone, or under your foundation to mattify and extend the wear of your makeup.
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Cleansing is the cornerstone of a sound skincare routine and is an especially important step when the weather is hot and humid. Remove makeup, sunscreen, excess sebum and other impurities that collect during the day with this jelly cleanser that transforms into a lightweight oil. Skin is cleansed, refreshed, conditioned and comfortable thanks to a blend of nine luxe oils that include kalahari melon, baobab, sunflower, safflower and castor oils to name a few.
Tackle dullness and dark spots and brighten your complexion with this new lightweight serum that is quickly absorbed without feeling heavy or tacky. It is packed with the brand’s proprietary ingredient Pitera, which is naturally derived through a special fermentation process from a strain of yeast exclusive to the brand and is packed with anti-oxidant benefits. It also features brightening powerhouse SDL Pro and White Lotus Complex help to tackle oxidative stress, reduce sallowness and brighten skin for an even-toned complexion.
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Along with harsh skincare ingredients and over-exfoliating, excessive sun exposure can also damage your skin barrier making it irritated and reactive. Soothe, strengthen and calm your skin with this concentrate which is a blend of anti-inflammatory reishi, Centella Asiatica, tremella mushroom and a phyto-powered barrier defence complex. Together these help to reduce redness, repair the skin barrier and infuse it with hydration so skin is plump and comfortable.
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Hot, humid weather and heavy moisturisers just don’t go together, which is why this lightweight moisturiser that doubles as a serum will be a welcome addition to your skincare routine. Packed with hydrating, anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory powerhouses like vitamin C, lactic acid, squalane, centella asiatica and chaga mushroom, it helps improve the look of fine lines, brightens and hydrates skin so it regains its youthful glow.
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Humid, sweaty days call for a deep cleanse of your pores with this mask that purifies and tightens without leaving skin feeling dry and stripped. Pink clay and coffee draw out any gunk and impurities that may be clogging your pores, while papaya enzyme sloughs off dead skin to brighten and invigorate skin. Simultaneously, grape tannins help detox skin so it’s brighter, tighter and healthier after the mask is washed off.
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The warm and humid weather in Singapore can often leave skin feeling unbalanced — either too oily, dehydrated or both. Bring your skin back to equilibrium with this active treatment essence that also improves the absorption of your serum and moisturiser. The essence has Kefir Ferment Extract that helps balance skin and improves its barrier function, Japanese Yuzu extract that helps skin cell turnover and 4MSK that helps gently remove the dead skin. With consistent use, skin is balanced, healthier and looks youthful and radiant.
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This article contains stories that first appeared in Her World and The Singapore Women’s Weekly