When the temperature rises, your skin is often one of the first things to suffer. Excessive sweating, increased oil production and make-up slippage can create undesirable skincare concerns.

Heat can cause havoc on our skin in a few ways. It can dry and dehydrate the skin (even though you may feel you are constantly dripping with sweat), whilst excessive UV exposure can accelerate ageing and create free radical damage, leading to collagen breakdown and deepening wrinkles. In addition to this, the skin can become more prone to hyperpigmentation and sun spots. Sweating may also result in clogged pores, leading to breakouts!

So when the mercury is rising and there are no signs of the weather cooling down, you need to give your skin some extra TLC. Here are our Edible Beauty inside out tips on how to manage your skin in a heatwave.

1. Up your H2O game!

Your skin dehydrates faster in hot weather, especially if you’re sweating so you need to rehydrate it.  Dehydrated skin looks dry, parched and shows up fine lines and wrinkles. A skin crying out for moisture will also age faster than a well-hydrated complexion. We recommend drinking at least 2 litres of water a day.  Not only does it flush out toxins and impurities to reveal a clearer looking complexion, it also works hard to plump skin from within. If you drink 2 litres of water a day every day for a month, you will definitely see a noticeable improvement in the plumpness of your skin. You’ll also notice that it’s clearer, with less breakouts and blemishes than before. Fancy something a little more exciting? Try a chilled version of one of our Beauty Teas, which are delicious served on ice on a hot day.

Quick Fix: Sometimes it happens - you simply don't get enough water in. If you didn't hydrate properly and need to boost your complexion in a flash, our Bloom of Youth Infusion Sheet Masks will come to your rescue! Bamboo Extract, Ribose, Swertia Chirata and Hyaluronic Acid to infuse the skin for maximum skin cell renewal and anti-ageing action, plumping up your complexion with a noticeable difference in just 20 minutes.

2. Protect with SPF

At Edible Beauty we are the greatest advocates of all-natural skincare and many of our products work hard to fight harmful UV rays. However, you must always wear suitable sunscreen on any exposed areas of the skin.  Not only does it prevent burning, it also keeps the skin safe from excessive hyperpigmentation, slows down ageing and helps to guard against cancerous growth. 

People get confused at how to apply it so we suggest starting with our No.3 Exotic Goddess Ageless Serum first, on clean skin. This botanical serum contains a potent blend of anti-oxidant ingredients that naturally protect the skin from the sun. It also contains Hyaluronic acid and Beta Glucan which help to keen the skin nice and smooth. Then, use the No.4 Vanilla Silk Hydrating Lotion or the No.4+ tinted variety with SPF15 which contain Cocoa and Shea Butter. The lotion glides on gently, giving the skin a good level of moisture so it stays well-hydrated during the day.  It also contains Australian Rosella Extract, a source of natural AHA’s to help the skin turnover its cells and reveal a fresh, youthful complexion. Once you’ve used a serum and moisturiser, then you can apply sunscreen. To be on the safe side, it should always be SPF50.  Don’t forget to apply sunscreen on all exposed areas of the skin (on the body as well as your face) and re-apply regularly during the day if you’re outdoors.

3. Less is more when it comes to makeup!

Heat, sweat and excessive moisture make your make up slip off, so when the temperature is really high, it’s best to wear as little as possible. If you do wear make-up, bear in mind that it’s likely your pores will become blocked and you could end up with a breakout. We love the hint of colour provided by our No.4+ Tinted Vanilla Silk Hydrating Lotion, which gives you a natural sun kissed glow so there’s no need for foundation on summery days.

Mascara is fine (we always recommend using organic, natural and vegan varieties) and of course, a slick of moisture with a glossy sheen, such as our Green Goddess Lip Oil pairs perfectly with a barely-there hot weather beauty look, whilst also working to keep your lips from becoming parched in the heat. 

If you do really have to wear a full face of make-up and find that you’re experiencing spots during a heatwave, try our Turmeric Brightening Serum, which you can use to target problem areas and as a spot treatment whilst brightening your complexion. Bonus: it also contains Rumex Extract, which has been clinically proven to treat hyperpigmentation by inhibiting the enzymes that are responsible for creating skin pigment (tyrosinase).

4. Hide from the heat

Especially between the hours of 11 and 4pm when the sun is at its hottest. If you can’t avoid the outside, stay in the shade and reapply sunscreen regularly. You could also buy a nice, big floppy hat and wear some cool sunglasses – channel your inner Jackie O!

5. Cool your complexion

When your skin gets hot, you feel even hotter than you are!  Try cooling your skin down by applying a really refreshing mist of water (you can buy a spritzing bottle from your local supermarket).  We like to use our No.2 Citrus Rhapsody Toner Mist whenever there’s a heatwave or when we feel hot.  Simply hold the bottle a few inches away from your face and give it a light spray. It’s instantly hydrating too with a deliciously fruity scent. The mist contains fig and bilberry which work together to increase hydration and for oily skin, the May Chang ingredient instantly removes excess oil.

6. Prioritise beauty sleep

When you sleep, your skin repairs itself, so aim to get 7-8 hours a night. In hot temperatures, give your skin an extra hand with the & Sleeping Beauty Purifying Mousse, which is an oil-balancing and hydrating night mask. Pink Clay and Zeolite work to purify congested pores, Avocado Oil balances sebum production and hormonal breakouts, whilst Aloe Vera soothes redness. Simply pop it on before you hit the sack and wake up with beautiful looking skin that glows with good health.