In light of a recent trip to Singapore, RATIONALE Founder, Richard Parker, shares his tips for combating humidity and achieving dewy, healthy skin in equatorial environments.
In light of a recent trip to Singapore, RATIONALE Founder, Richard Parker, shares his tips for combating humidity and achieving dewy, healthy skin in equatorial environments.
The moment I step out of Singapore’s Changi Airport, my skin recognises the signs of the humid environment: heat, moisture, relaxation, languor, and an increased tendency to break out! It’s the conundrum that all equatorial travellers face: how can I help my skin—and my psyche!—enjoy the benefits of humidity?
The Science
Contrary to common belief, steamy climates do not make our skin oilier. It’s a natural assumption when your skin is feeling moist but in reality, something else is at play.
Elevated temperatures, aided by the occlusive forces of increased atmospheric moisture levels result in a fine layer of water that sits on the skin’s surface. Consequentially, as water and oil don’t mix, our natural sebum rises. This accounts for the dewy shine which is often mistaken for excess oiliness.
The Advice
In my experience, breakouts tend to occur when we try to ‘mattify’ or ‘dry’ this condition. This results in clogged pores and a type of mild, localised acne and increased reactivity.
My advice, born of personal experience, is to leave your skin alone and continue on with your current Ritual for a day or two.
The Formulations
If your skin begins to feel excessively oily, a nightly double cleanse using #4 The PreCleanse Balm, followed by #5 The Cleanser does a flawless job of emulsifying oil and water to leave skin immaculate but not stripped or irritated.
During the day, #2 The Hydragel with its Ceramic Shield Technology and lightweight hydration will keep you protected from the stress of urban pollution. Following this, apply #3 Tinted Serum SPF50+ for complete protection from the entire Solar Constant.
The Final Word
Your skin will gradually acclimatise to the new conditions. And once it does, you can bask in that languid tropical sense of wellbeing and an equatorial, dewy glow. Now that’s skin heaven on earth!