Is the weather making your skin condition worse?

It’s a fact: heat, humidity and sun exposure can intensify conditions like eczema, rosacea, acne and heat rashes. “Warm weather is one of the most underestimated triggers for inflammatory skin conditions,” says Dr Emmaline Ashley, Cosmetic Physician and Founder, Ashley Aesthetics. 

“When temperatures and humidity rise, your skin has to work harder – sweat glands become more active, blood vessels dilate to cool the body, and the skin barrier comes under increased stress. This creates the perfect storm for
flare ups.”  
 
Choosing the right skincare is essential: “Hot weather can lead to the reappearance of eczema patches, acne breakouts, heat rashes and rosacea that gets worse,” says Dr Ashley. “I see this in clinic a lot. So, if you want to keep your skin barrier calm, pores clear and inflammatory responses in check, choose gentle, lightweight, water or gel based formulations and SPFs.  

"The hero skincare ingredients I always recommend at this time of year include  niacinamide, to calm redness, regulate sebum, minimise pores and support the skin barrier; ceramides, to lock in moisture and reinforce barrier lipids; and skin soothing ingredients such as panthenol and centella.”

Eczema

“For people with eczema, summer can be genuinely tricky,” says Dr Ashley. “Sweat can trigger itching, particularly in areas where moisture becomes trapped – eg: around the neck, and in the elbow creases. Heat increases trans epidermal water loss, so skin loses hydration. It also weakens the skin barrier, allowing irritants and allergens to penetrate more easily, increasing dryness and inflammation.”

Skincare tactics:  Rinse off sweat with cool (not hot) water, pat dry, and apply an emollient straight onto damp skin. Stick to ceramide-rich formulations and avoid anything with fragrance or essential oils, which can sensitise inflamed skin further.

Developed in collaboration with skin health professionals, Colorscience Pro Essential Moisturiser is a lightweight moisturiser that keeps skin hydrated, supports and balances the microbiome, calms inflammation and strengthens the skin barrier. Can be applied under SPF.

 
Rosacea

“Heat causes blood vessels in the face to dilate,” says Dr Ashley. “With rosacea, these vessels are already hyper-reactive and slow to constrict back down. This leads to flushing, persistent redness and inflammation, often with pustules.”

Skincare tactics: Keep skin cool, protected and hydrated, with lightweight gel formulations and serums. Calming skincare containing ceramides, niacinamide and soothing ingredients can help to strengthen the skin barrier and reduce redness.  UV is one of the biggest triggers for rosacea, so protect skin with a mineral SPF, as chemical sunscreens may irritate rosacea-prone skin. 

Colorscience All Calm Clinical Redness Corrector SPF 50 is a 3-in-1 formula that neutralises redness, helps soothe and calm sensitive skin and offers mineral (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) SPF 50 protection from UV and UV rays. It’s also fragrance and paraben free.

 Acne

“Acne can become worse during warmer months,” says Dr Ashley. “Increased oil production combined with sweat, sunscreen and pollution can clog pores, causing bacteria to thrive. Humidity can also increase sebum production.”

Skincare tactics: The biggest mistake is to use harsh cleansers and astringents—these damage the skin barrier and trigger more sebum production. Instead, cleanse twice a day with a gentle salicylic-acid based cleanser, use a non-comedogenic gel moisturiser, and always wear SPF. 

Formulated with 2% salicylic acid, mint, eucalyptus and tea-tree oil, Image Skincare Clear Cell clarifying salicylic gel cleanser gently cleanses and removes excess oil, exfoliates dead skin (that can clog pores) and tones. The formula is paraben and fragrance free.

 
Heat rash

“Heat rash, known as miliaria, is another common issue in summer,” says Dr Ashley. “This happens when sweat ducts become blocked, trapping perspiration beneath the skin, leading to small red bumps or tiny clear blisters. Heat rash on top of sensitive skin, eczema or rosacea can feel particularly uncomfortable, because the underlying barrier dysfunction makes everything itchier and more inflamed.”

Skincare tactics: The best way to prevent heat rash in warm weather is to keep skin cool and dry as much as possible. Wear loose, breathable clothes in natural fibres (eg: cotton, linen), drink plenty of water and take cool showers to prevent excessive sweating. Use lightweight, non-greasy products. 

HydroPeptide Soothing Serum contains chamomile, licorice root, arnica, beta glucan, niacinamide and peptides to cool and calm the skin.

Sun allergy

“Sun allergy, or polymorphic sun eruption (PLE) is an allergic reaction, where the immune system overreacts to UV light,” says Dr Ashley. “It is characterised by an intensely itchy, bumpy, blistery rash on the chest, neckline or upper arms. The face often gets off lightly, because it sees daylight all year round and is more used to UV.”

Skincare tactics: Protect skin with a broad-spectrum, high-factor sunscreen; re-apply every two hours. Add in some support from antioxidants. Expose yourself to the sun very gradually, to help skin acclimatise.  Most people find that PLE gets better as the summer goes on.

Image Skincare Daily Prevention Ultra Defence Moisturiser SPF 50 offers broad spectrum protection and contains antioxidants ectoin, vitamin C and astaxanthin.