Find out how to combat summer shine in hot temperatures…
Staying cool in the midst of a UK heat wave – or a holiday haze – can be a challenge; keeping your make-up matte (or ‘dewy’, as opposed to looking like an oil slick has landed on your face) is even tougher.
The sheen you’ll often see when the temperatures climb is caused by excess sebum (a combination of dead skin cells and lipids), triggered when you start to perspire in the heat.
People with oily skin types may be used to a ‘greasy’ appearance due to excess secretions from their sebaceous glands, but in the height of summer, anyone can be susceptible to a glossy finish.
Although there’s little you can do to control the amount you sweat during hot weather, you can take action to combat the appearance of excess shine through your beauty regime.
Shine-busting
Step 1: Choose a mild, foaming cleansing formula that can cut through grease without over-drying skin.
Step 2: As an oil-slicked complexion can be linked with acne-prone skin, look out for pimple-targeted formulas with glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide.
Step 3: Adding a toner to your beauty regime can have a de-greasing effect – and carrying a toning spritz or toning wipes to dab on the go can help you stay less shiny throughout the day.
Step 4: When it comes to moisturiser, light, oil-free formulas are ideal. A lotion with hyaluronic acid, which can effectively lock in moisture without over-greasing, can suit oily skin types.
Step 5: Before you apply make-up, a mattifying primer is a must. They can help control oil production, reduce the appearance of enlarged pores and help make-up last, plus they form a barrier if you’re sensitive to sunscreen.
Step 6: Try a clay-based mask twice a week to draw out impurities and keep oily episodes under control.
Beauty Flash shine solutions
Try these shine-busting products and beat ‘the wet look’…
Dermalogica MediBac Sebum Clearing Masque – try this cooling, refining and deep cleansing clay-based masque to purify, absorb excess surface oil and help prevent breakouts.
Decleor Aroma Purete Shine Control Mattifying Fluid – inspired by the ability of aquatic plants to purify and oxygenate cells, this light, non-oily fluid with a fresh green scent has been scientifically developed to help oilier skin types. A unique formulation, it boosts the skin’s ability to breathe again, improves cellular activity and restores a beautifully radiant glow. Skin looks instantly mattified and shine is controlled all day, leaving you with a soft, refined complexion that feels fresh and perfectly hydrated.
Dermalogica MediBac Oil Control Lotion – a hydrating, oil-free, feather-light lotion, Oil Control contains additional microsponges to help absorb even more oil on the skin’s surface and maintain an all-day matte finish. Its active sebum-regulating complex helps control oil production with bark extract to help reduce oily shine.
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Gel Mask – allowing you to peel away the years to reveal skin that feels instantly smoother and shine free, this innovative, active gel-mask instantly smoothes and firms the skin for a younger, more radiant complexion. With re-texturising enzymes to smooth out skin’s surface it targets uneven skin texture, fine lines and blemishes, balancing the skin’s pH levels to leave it shine free.
Medik8 Daily Refresh Balancing Toner – pH balanced and alcohol free, this Medik8 toner helps to hydrate and soothe the skin whilst removing excess oil and impurities. Gentle and suitable for all skin types, it calms and hydrates the complexion. With prebiotics to improve the skin’s defence barriers and help maintain healthy skin, skin is left revitalised, clear and balanced.
Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF30 – SPF is crucial, whatever your skin type. This lightweight, ultra-sheer, broad-spectrum sunscreen helps prevent shine, regulate oil production and soothe inflammation, with oil-absorbers to help maintain an all-day matte finish without a powdery residue.
