Hot, humid, and breaking out? We feel you!
Singapore’s signature climate — hot, sticky, and humid — isn’t always the friendliest to our skin. From surprise midday breakouts to makeup that refuses to stay put, high humidity can really test your glow. But the good news? With the right tweaks, your skincare routine can absolutely thrive in it.
Feeling the air get clingy? Let’s talk high humidity!
If stepping outside feels like entering a steam room, you’ve officially met high humidity 👉🏻 when there’s an increased amount of water vapour in the air. During Singapore’s Southwest Monsoon season (June to September), humidity can spike past 80%. While that might sound like a skin disaster, it’s not all bad news.
In fact, when managed well, humidity can even help your skin. Let’s break it down.
It’s not always all bad! Here are the perks of High Humidity …
1. Boosts skin’s hydration by reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL)
When the air is rich in moisture, it naturally slows down TEWL, the process where moisture evaporates from your skin’s surface. This helps your skin stay hydrated for a longer period of time throughout the day without the need for constant reapplication of moisturisers.
2. Relieves dryness, tightness, and flakiness
If your skin often feels dry and dehydrated, high humidity can be a natural remedy for you. The extra moisture in the air soothes and softens the skin, helping to reduce discomfort in flaky and tight skin.
3. Strengthens the skin barrier with better moisture retention
When your skin is constantly hydrated, its skin barrier’s function improves. This means better protection against factors like pollution, UV exposure and other irritants. On the other hand, this also reduces inflammation, sensitivity or redness on your skin.
The Damp Side: Drawbacks of High Humidity
1. Triggers excess oil production
Under humid conditions, your skin can react by producing more sebum than usual, especially when it senses an imbalance. This can result in a persistently oily and greasy feel, particularly in the T-zone area (i.e. forehead, nose, and chin).
2. Clogs pores and causes breakouts
Sweat and oil do not evaporate quickly under high humidity, which can lead to an accumulation on the skin’s surface. When they come in contact and mix with bacteria and dead skin cells, this is when clogged pores and acne start to build up.
3. Melts makeup
High moisture in the air can mess with how well your makeup stays on your face. It can prevent your foundations, concealers and powders from properly setting, causing them to slide off and crease. This is especially noticeable in areas producing more sweat like the T-zone. This might require frequent touch ups by midday!
4. Leads to heat rash or irritation
Prolonged sweating under high humidity when combined with friction (especially in folds like underarms or behind the knees) can lead to heat rash. When sweat gets trapped under the skin, small red bumps and itching may form. In people with more sensitive skin, it could flare up conditions like eczema. Without proper care, these conditions can worsen!
Face the Change: How to Tweak Your Skincare Routine
1. Prioritise gentle, effective cleansing
Cleansing is easily one of the most important steps in your skincare routine in a humid climate like Singapore’s. Sweat and excess sebum builds up easily on the skin’s surface which can lead to irritation if not properly removed.
That’s why we recommend starting your routine with a gentle yet effective cleanser like ést.lab’s ActivCalm Gentle Hydrating Cleansing Mousse. Sulphate-free and pH balanced, this formulation deeply purifies your skin without leaving it dry or tight. The built-in soft silicone brush adds an extra boost — gently exfoliating while lifting away impurities and excess sebum. It’s the perfect daily reset to keep your skin fresh and clean, even when humidity is at its peak!
2. Exfoliate, but not excessively
Exfoliation is a crucial step especially in humid weather to keep your complexion clear and smooth. However, a gentle exfoliator is better than abrasive ones, which can cause micro-tears! Over-exfoliating may also disrupt your skin barrier and trigger breakouts.
We recommend incorporating the PurClear Anti-Acne Serum into your routine! Formulated with Salicylic Acid (BHA), it penetrates the pores to dissolve excess sebum and remove dead skin cells. This lightweight serum not only helps to treat active blemishes but also leaves your skin with a refreshing feel — no irritation like you’d get from harsh scrubs!
3. Switch to a lighter moisturiser
High humidity can trick you into thinking you don’t need moisturiser, but skipping this step can result in dehydrated skin and increased oil production! The solution? A lightweight, non-greasy moisturiser that hydrates without smothering your skin.
The PurClear Multi-Biotic Balancing Cream is perfect for humid environments. Formulated with prebiotics and postbiotics, it helps to balance your skin’s microbiome, which is key to keeping oil, acne and irritation in check. It also contains Centella Asiatica Extract which soothes inflammation, and Tea Tree Oil targeting acne-causing bacteria — making it an excellent choice for blemish-prone skin. This non-oily texture absorbs quickly into your skin, leaving it comfortably hydrated without a worry of it being sticky.
4. Don’t skip SPF
Just because it’s cloudy doesn’t mean your skin is safe from UV damage. In fact, UV rays can penetrate through clouds and humidity which can weaken your skin barrier and trigger pigmentation. Sunscreen is non-negotiable, even when the air around you feels sticky!
For everyday protection that won’t clog your pores, reach for the SunShield Aqua SPF 50 ***. This water-based, non-comedogenic formula delivers broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Its breathable and lightweight texture makes it especially comfortable for humid weather — no heavy and greasy texture. Moreover, it also helps to control excess oil which makes it a great option for oily and acne-prone skin types!
5. Use cooling tools or devices
When humidity gets high, your skin is likely to feel irritated, hot and inflamed, especially if you have sensitive skin. Incorporating a cooling skincare tool into your routine can calm the skin and bring down any inflammation effectively.
The LumiGlow SmartSkin Buddy, used in SOOTHE mode, is a game-changer for hot, humid days! It cools the skin to as low as 12°C and instantly relieves discomfort while tightening pores and calming irritation. What’s more? Its blue LED light therapy targets acne-causing bacteria, helping to minimise breakouts and encourage clearer skin. Just a few minutes a day can leave your skin feeling refreshed and visibly brightened!
6. Go for regular deep-cleansing treatments
Even with a good routine on your own at home, your skin may still struggle with the build-up of sweat and other pollutants especially in high humidity. Thus, incorporating regular professional treatments can make all that difference in keeping your skin consistently clear and balanced!
Estetica’s AquaGlow Peel Therapy is a must try for those living in humid environments! This treatment includes deep-pore cleansing with gentle, non-invasive skin resurfacing to remove any impurities, dead skin cells and excess sebum. It also stimulates cell renewal, helping your skin remain fresh, clear and less reactive to the stress of heat and humidity!
Let Your Skin Glow, Even When It’s Sticky Out There
Living in Singapore’s humidity doesn’t have to be a constant battle against breakouts or greasy skin. With a few smart switches — like going lightweight, cleansing right, and treating your skin to pro care — you can work with the weather instead of against it.
Humidity doesn’t have to be your skin’s worst enemy. With the right support from Estetica’s award-winning skincare and treatments, you can keep your glow going strong all year round.
In good hands,
Estetica
