BEAT THE HEAT THIS SUMMER: TIPS FOR SUMMER-PROOF BEAUTY ROUTINE

There’s no polite way to say it, summer in the UAE can be a full-body assault. Between the merciless sun, sky-high humidity, and indoor AC shock, your skin and hair are pulled into a climate tug-of-war.

And unlike the curated summer glow we see on social media, reality here looks more like melting foundation, stringy hairlines, and a T-zone slick enough to catch a reflection.

So how do you protect your beauty game in a place where summer lasts half the year?

Experts around the world have been quietly rewriting the rules of summer skincare and haircare, and the message is clear: adapt, don’t overdo.

Ditch the layers

If your instinct is to layer serums, SPFs, primers, and setting sprays to “lock things in,” stop right there. Summer skincare in this country is all about letting your skin breathe. “The more layers you pile on, the more likely you are to clog pores, especially in hot and humid climates,” said New York-based dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe in an interview with Allure.

She recommended stripping back to lightweight, microbiome-friendly products that support the skin’s natural defences.

The microbiome, the community of bacteria that lives on your skin, is taking centre stage this year. Harsh cleansers and heavy actives can compromise it, leading to redness, breakouts, and barrier dysfunction. Instead, Bowe said, “look for gel-based hydrators with ingredients like polyglutamic acid or ectoin, which protect and hydrate without overwhelming the skin.”

SPF fatigue is real

Let’s talk sunscreen, or the resistance to it. SPF fatigue is a real issue in the region, where the idea of reapplying every two hours feels unreasonable at best. But dermatologists are urging people not to ditch it, but to be smarter about it. “Your SPF has to work with your lifestyle,” said Dr. Michelle Wong (aka @LabMuffinBeautyScience), in a conversation with Into The Gloss. She suggested newer generation sunscreens with better cosmetic elegance, such as water-based Korean or Japanese formulas that don’t leave residue or sting in the heat.

Wong also recommended using physical SPF “hacks”, wide-brimmed hats, UV-filtering visors, and staying indoors during peak hours. “Relying on sunscreen alone in 50°C heat is like bringing an umbrella to a hurricane,” she joked.

Less makeup

When it comes to makeup, less is more. “In high heat, it’s not about how much product you use, it’s about how you use it,” said celebrity makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes to Glamour UK. She advised swapping foundation for tinted serums or complexion drops, using cream products that melt into the skin rather than sit on top of it, and relying on setting sprays that hydrate, not mattify.

Protect the scalp

Your scalp is skin, and it’s often forgotten in the summer shuffle. But according to trichologist Dr. Isfahan Chambers-Harris, founder of Alodia Haircare, neglecting it can lead to flakiness, hair thinning, and excess oil. “Scalp detoxing, using clarifying masks or gentle exfoliating scrubs once a week, is essential during the summer months,” she said in a Byrdie feature.

Colour-treated hair? The sun is fading your investment faster than you think. “UV rays are basically bleach,” warned hairstylist Mara Roszak in The Cut. She recommended UV-protectant sprays with antioxidants, especially for highlighted or bleached hair, and tying it back when outdoors. “A sleek bun isn’t just chic, it’s damage control,” she said.

Multi-use products

Minimalism in beauty is no longer a shortcut, it’s a heat-driven survival strategy. “Multi-functional products are a summer essential,” said aesthetician Joanna Czech in Harper’s Bazaar. Think tint-plus-serum hybrids, scalp-and-hair mists, SPF-in-oil sprays. “You want products that work with your skin’s rhythms, not interrupt them with excess.”

Hydration isn’t just topical. Experts such as Czech emphasised internal hydration, but not just water. “Electrolyte drinks or coconut water help maintain skin plumpness and reduce puffiness,” she said.

So, let your skin barrier breathe. Give your scalp some attention. Embrace the melt and adapt your style to it, the goal isn’t to look untouched by the heat, but to look unbothered by it. As Hughes put it, “In summer, the coolest beauty look is the one that stays on, without trying too hard.”

2025-06-20T08:27:57Z