6 Ways to Care for Your Skin If You Live in a Tropical Climate

Living in the tropics has its charm. You get to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables all year round, it’s almost always a great time to hit the beach, and you never have to worry about wearing layers and layers of clothing. This is true for us who live here in the Northern Mariana Islands, and it is true for those who live in other locations across the world’s tropical regions.

However, the tropical climate can also present a different set of problems. For instance, the sun shines stronger near the equator, so you have to be extra careful about wearing sun protection all the time. There are also times when the humidity levels in a tropical environment might be too much that certain cosmetics and personal care products made specifically for markets in temperate regions might not be appropriate to wear here. Nevertheless, there are practical ways for you to keep your skin feeling and looking fresh, even in tropical climates. Below are 6 of our favorites:

1. Have a Cleansing Ritual

While a quick wash with water is great for feeling fresh, it doesn’t give you a deep cleanse. If you want thoroughly cleaned and healthy skin, you’ll need to have your own skin cleansing ritual, especially for your face.

There are many great cleansing products you can purchase from stores, and here in the Northern Marianas, beauty care products in CNMI come from various sources all over the world. A good cleanser should match the slightly acidic pH level of the skin (pH 5.5) in order for it not to disrupt its natural acid mantle. Moreover, it should also be effective in removing impurities off the skin.

Indeed, you can always buy a good skin cleanser from a reputable shop, but home preparations can work just as well. Here are just some examples of natural cleansers you can make at home:

● Apple cider vinegar mixed with water (mix 1 part ACV with 2 parts water)
● 1 tablespoon honey with juice squeezed from half a lemon
● 2 tablespoons yogurt (Greek) with 2 tablespoons honey
● 1 egg yolk, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and a few drops of fresh lemon juice

If you want to reap the full benefits of these natural cleansers, you can try to do them at least twice or thrice a week. You’re guaranteed to notice a change within a month or so.

2. Take Regular Showers

A nice shower after a long day of sweating and being out in the sun can do wonders for your skin. You can get rid of the impurities, pollution, and excess oil so you don’t clog your pores.

Clogged pores caused by excess oil and impurities often lead to pimples,whiteheads, or blackheads. So, if you want clear skin, do remember to shower at least once or twice a day.

3. Avoid Touching Your Face

You use your hands to hold and touch a lot of surfaces and items. Many of them, however, aren’t so clean. While the skin on our hands isn’t so sensitive, the same bacteria and dirt aren’t so good for our facial skin.

Whenever you want to wipe your face, you can use wet wipes instead of a handkerchief. Just make sure there are no harsh chemicals in their ingredients. To be safe, we recommend using baby wipes since these are usually tested and proven to be safe for sensitive skin.

4. Be Mindful of Excess Oil

Hot or humid weather can lead to the overproduction of oil, which is just one of your body’s natural ways of adapting and protecting itself. Unfortunately, too much of this oil can also lead to acne breakouts, which can be unsightly and annoying.

You can order oil-absorbing films or wash your face with gentle soap. Just try not to overwash your skin as this can make it dry. Also avoid using alcohol-based toners or cleansers as these can also dehydrate your skin.

5. Drink Lots of Water

During the dry season, it’s very important to keep the body hydrated so it can continue to sweat out the impurities in your body (which leads to clearer skin).

The average adult should drink around 8 glasses or 2 liters of water a day. Not only is this great for the skin, but it also keeps your body in tip-top shape. And did you know that proper hydration also prevents fatigue, mood swings, and headaches? Yes, it does. So make sure to drink up!

6. Protect Yourself from Harsh Sunlight

Wearing sun protection, such as SPF lotions, hats, and clothes that cover most of your skin can reduce skin damage related to too much sun exposure. While a healthy dose of sunshine is always good for the body, too much exposure to it is not beneficial for the skin at all. The sun’s UVA rays can penetrate into the deeper layers of your skin and cause it to age faster.

It’s especially important to wear sun protection if you’re not used to the tropical climate. If you have very fair skin, you are more likely to get a sunburn. As such, make sure to apply a generous amount of broad spectrum sunscreen (SPF 50 and PA++++) that protects against both UVA and UVB rays if you don’t want your skin to lose its natural elasticity prematurely. You may opt to apply a lightweight, non-greasy sunscreen on your forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin 15 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply sunscreen after 2 hours or after sweating.

Anyone Can Enjoy Healthy and Young Looking Skin Living in the Tropics

Now that you know the best skincare tips for living in tropical climates, it’s time to put the information to good use. While it does take time to make some of these practices a habit, you will love how they can make your skin feel and look younger no matter your age and no matter the weather.