Despite it all, life in The Bahamas can be fun. That’s if you can take both the simplicities and complexities of life in stride. It’s no secret that only the sun shines in The Bahamas; on a regular day, we wish we never boasted about that. It's hot and somehow there’s still room for the electricity to go off every so often. Which is neither here nor there, so we digress.
For a lot of sunbathers, living in The Bahamas is a dream. People love to sit outside, under the sun, for hours, without sunscreen. Why? Because sunkissed skin is quite beautiful - we have to admit it. Now, before you think we endorse increased sun exposure, pump the brakes! We’re here to talk about the one factor that people overlook - climate. When people think of environmental factors that affect your skin, they think about pollution, dirt, smoke, and other skin irritants. Yet, they rarely think about the actual climate itself.
How to choose skincare products for the climate that you live in
As we mentioned, The Bahamas is hot. Although you may think that heat is good for your skin, a balance of hot and cold are optimal for your skin’s health. That brings us to humidity - you know, the denseness that you feel every time you step outside your house? Contrary to popular belief, excessive humidity damages your skin. This is especially true for people with dry, oily, combination, or sensitive skin. The reason for this is that you tend to sweat more in humid environments. Sweat is your body’s way of releasing toxins. On a hot day, your body releases and traps toxins under that stickiness! In other words, it’s a hot mess! Bacteria thrive in humid environments. And in case you didn’t know, they're the leading cause of acne and other infections on your face.
Another myth about humidity is that it moisturizes your skin. Again, because you sweat and feel sticky, you may feel moisturized. You're not hydrated or moisturized though! Remember that sweat releases water from your body. Water loss makes way for dehydration. And we all know that dehydrated skin is a breeding ground for all sorts of skin issues! So, let this be a friendly reminder to drink some water - right now - and take a bottle of water with you everywhere you go. Your skin will thank you for it. Now that you know what a tropical climate does to your skin, here are some practical skincare tips for how to manage your skin.
1. Drink water and mind your business.
As we said, your skin becomes dehydrated when you don’t drink enough water. Also, minding everyone else’s business but your own may lead to stress. And stress may cause acne and a change in your countenance that’s unattractive. You don’t want that do you?
2. Use skin care products that contain acids
Skinistry’s clients know that we love acids! For our climate, the best acids to use are salicylic acid, glycolic acid, L-ascorbic acid, and even lactic acid. These hydroxy acids are effective in treating many skin issues. But in a humid environment, they help to minimize the oil and bacteria that lead to acne breakouts. While there are many skincare products on the market that contain these ingredients, our medical-grade cleansers, serums, and creams contain higher concentrations of them. This means that they work at a faster rate than over the counter products that you buy at the pharmacy.
3. Exfoliate your skin with an agent that doesn’t tear your skin
We don’t know why but Bahamians love face scrubs! Because you feel the need to scrub your face clean, you’re on the right track. Over the counter face scrubs can be too harsh for your skin and wear away its collagen over time. In a tropical climate, you need to exfoliate at least every other day. This helps you to get rid of dead skin cells and excess oil that builds up. If you want a deeper exfoliation, microdermabrasion and dermaplaning are great skincare treatments!
The important thing to note is that nothing works overnight! Further, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to any of your skin’s problems. If you follow the steps above and stay consistent with your skincare routine, in time you’ll have that island glow. Until then, keep drinking your water and be sure to book an appointment. Something tells us that you need a deeper exfoliation stat!