No matter how diligent you are about protection and hydration in summer, life happens and our skin suffers. Hedge your bets by packing your regimen with vitamin B3 (aka niacinamide). “When you apply it overnight, this ingredient strengthens the skin barrier, regulates oil flow, and helps inhibit pigment,” says dermatologist Alice Rudd, noting that wearing your Bs is an especially good idea if you’re prone to blotches and dark spots or get overly sensitive in the warmer months.

The combination of heat, air-con, and humidity means our skin tends to be drier than usual and more likely to look dull. That’s why our favourite multi-takers comfort and brighten to ensure the season doesn’t leave its mark. One of our go-to formula: Dermalogica’s five-minute mask has bamboo powder and snow mushroom to gently buff and renew skin.

By now, you know the secret to long-lasting makeup is as much about the base you choose as the steps that precede it. This refreshing Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer is a gel-cream primer which boosts day-long hydration with hyaluronic acid, while adding serious muscle to your makeup’s staying power.

In hot weather, it’s easier to embrace glow – less you have oily skin and fear shine. Thankfully, a matte complexion is within your grasp. Start by tweaking your daily wash: a cleanser with salicylic acid will break down the oil in pores without drying out skin (which can trigger excess oil). Next, double down on avoiding dryness by applying a hydrating serum and primer to magnify throughout the day. Finally, switch to an oil-free foundation. We love Shiseido’s formula that deposits weightless colour with setting technology that protects the finish against sweat and oil.

If you find yourself dreading hot-weather breakouts, now is the time to take control. Pimple conditions can brew for weeks before you see spots in the mirror. According to dermatologist Philip Tong, double-cleansing is a good place to start: remove makeup with micellar water and follow with a cleansing gel the lathers to ensure pores are super clean. To follow invest in skin-cleaning treatments that you can use as and when required.

For an extra layer of protection and a dose of brightening, vitamin C is a summer skincare essential. In addition to being a powerful antioxidant that can help shield skin from environmental damage, it can also help keep pigmentation in check.

In our humble opinion, the makeup swap that you will get the most out of it the base. To ensure skin looks luminous but doesn’t feel overwhelming, switch to a lightweight formula that has enough pigments to correct flaws while leaving skin feeling fresh and barely touched.

Text: Bauer Syndication