HIGH TEMPERATURE

All skin is heat sensitive in some way. Rising temperatures may cause excessive sweating, increased sebum production or heat rashes as your skin performs its function of trying to help keep your body cool. When your body temperature rises, blood vessels expand causing flushing; sweat glands bring water to the surface of the skin to try to cool you down leading to increased perspiration; and the natural skin lipids can mix with trapped sweat causing inflammation and blocked pores. If you are in a dry climate the air can take moisture from your skin causing excessive dryness, and if in a very hot humid environment the heavy wet air can prevent sweat from escaping, trapping wetness and heat in your skin and exaggerating the effects of the temperature rising.

Skin is at its best in a temperate environment. As the heat rises you should take steps to help keep your skin as cool and calm as possible.

DAMAGING UV RAYS

The summer months bring longer daylight hours and strong sunlight. UV rays can become very damaging to skin, and whilst it is important to protect skin all year round from both UVA and UVB rays, it is imperative that you do so during the summer season. UV light can damage the integrity of the barrier function of the skin, causing burning and ageing, but also increase the risk of skin cancers. According to Cancer Research UK getting sunburnt just once every two years can triple your risk of melanoma skin cancer compared to never being burnt.

• Redness or flushing
• Excessive sweating
• Inflammation
• Congested skin
• Heat rash
• Itchiness
• Burning or stinging sensation

Hyperpigmentation is characerised by small, darkened patches of skin. Although Hyperpigmentation can also be triggered by hormone changes and skin trauma, sun exposure is the number one cause. And whatever the original trigger, sunlight will worsen and darken the affected areas. Treat with a Vitamin C serum, such as our Skin Perfector Radiance Serum and ensure you protect from a UV rays everyday with a broad spectrum shield like our Skin Protector SPF30 Primer.

Anyone suffering with Acne should do their best to avoid sun and heat which may make the condition worse. It can also make acne scaring more pronounced and slow fading.

Those with Rosacea should be particularly careful in the sun.

As explained in the article Impact of ultraviolet radiation and exposome on Rosacea, those with Rosacea are likely to be susceptible to photosensitiity:  "UV radiation produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can induce the release of pro‐inflammatory cytokines by fibroblasts and keratinocytes. ROS levels are higher in patients with rosacea than in controls, and ROS can increase the inflammatory response in these individuals".

If you are looking for helpful, practical advice on living with Rosacea read our Expert Guide, HERE.