Your guide to bossing skincare in summer

There’s no way around it, your skin’s going to need a bit of extra TLC during the warmer months to help tackle that harsh Australian sun, but with a few steps and a bit of extra effort you’ll have it sussed in a heartbeat.

Summer weather means many things: barbecues, days at the beach, beer gardens, roadies… and changes to your skin. Like any environmental extreme, hot weather can cause your skin to behave differently, meaning a skincare switch-up is on the cards if you’re keen to lock in nourishment all summer long.

What happens to your skin in summer?

Hot weather does a number of things to your skin, and a lot of it is linked to dehydration.

Heat causes more water to leave the body, which makes us feel thirsty and causes dry skin prone to irritation. Sweating more throughout the day also produces more oil, which can lead to unwanted blemishes too. Perfect storm, right?

The risks don’t stop there either - harsh UV rays from the sun can also cause skin damage if you’re not regularly applying SPF, and all of the air conditioning causes dryness and skin sensitivity to top it all off.

Should you be using products with SPF?

The short answer is yes – regularly applying SPF is the best way to protect your skin from UV rays and prevent long-term skin damage.

The longer answer is that repeated exposure to the sun’s rays harms skin and makes it age quicker, affecting elasticity and pigmentation as well as potentially causing painful burns. For all these reasons, making a habit out of wearing Products with SPF can help protect you against sun damage and skin cancer.

Does high humidity cause oily skin?

Any changes to the environment around us directly influence our skin, and summer humidity is no different. When the humidity’s high, your sebaceous glands overproduce sebum that makes the skin look oily.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that going hard on the cleanser and avoiding moisturiser is your best bet, but that’s not the case. In fact, over-cleansing and under-moisturising strips skin of its natural oils and causes more problems than it solves.

Just like high temperatures, high humidity also makes you sweat more. Since sweat collects bacteria and that make their way into your pores, using a face wash every morning and night during summer is an important step for keeping skin clear.

If you struggle with oily skin in the heat, consider switching to skin products built specifically for skin like yours. Bulldog Oil Control Face Wash and Oil Control Moisturiser are great places to start, with witch hazel, willow bark, and juniper working to reduce the appearance of shine without removing the skin’s vital natural oils.

Should you moisturise in humid weather?

Absolutely! Moisturising is a key part of any skincare routine in both summer and winter.

Even when we’re sweating a little more in the heat, keeping your skin well-moisturised helps regulate sebum production and stabilises hydration levels so you don’t dry out. Ironically, ditching moisturiser when your skin’s already over-producing oil makes it dryer and more stressed out in the long run. The more you know, eh? 

We recommend choosing a moisturiser that’s been made specifically for men, like our Bulldog Original Moisturiser. It harnesses the best of nature and science for a fast-absorbing formula that won’t leave you feeling greasy.

How do I take care of my skin in humid weather?

Good news – if you’ve already got a solid skincare routine going, all you need to do is keep it up!

Some added hydration probably wouldn’t go amiss though, so get your moisturiser sussed and remember to drink heaps of water throughout the day.  

What can I use for dry skin in summer?

If you struggle with dry or sensitive skin, keeping it chilled out during the summer months might seem tricky at first.

Extra dryness in the air and persistent air conditioning can decrease the skin’s hydration and leave it vulnerable to irritation, meaning you’ll need to scope out products that have been formulated specifically for sensitive skin.

Enter the Bulldog Sensitive Range – a moisturiser and face wash made with skin-soothing baobab oil, oat oil and willow herb. This fragrance-free range cleanses and refreshes your skin without drying it out, combatting irritation and keeping summer cool, calm, and collected.

 

It doesn’t matter what your skin type is, summer’s for everyone. Whether you’re on staycation or off on an overseas adventure, when the weather gets warmer, Bulldog’s your new best friend.