With summer just around the corner, outdoor fun is on everyone's minds. But with skin sensitive to heat, the sunny, warm days ahead may bring more angst than joy. When you have sensitive skin, the skin's top layer—called the epidermis—is more susceptible to redness, burning, flaking, and itching in response to various triggers, including heat.
If your heat-sensitive skin brings you dread every time summer rolls around, don't lose hope. You can take steps to minimize and soothe irritation so you can enjoy everything summer has to offer.
Why Is Skin Sensitive to Heat?
Sun exposure, heat, and humidity can lead to heat-sensitive skin conditions characterized by redness, rashes, and irritation. For example, heat rash (or prickly heat) causes a rash and tiny, itchy bumps that can cause a prickly sensation when they burst on the skin's surface.
In addition to excessive sweating and subsequently blocked sweat glands (the culprits behind heat rash), exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause sensitivity by drying out your skin. Dry skin compromises your skin's protective barrier, which is crucial to maintaining healthy skin hydration and protecting you from environmental aggressors.
Other Skin Sensitivity Triggers
Heat and sun exposure aren't the only factors that can trigger skin sensitivity. Other common culprits include:
- Cold and dry weather
- Wind
- Some soaps, laundry detergents, and cleansers
- Prolonged water exposure, such as long showers, frequent handwashing, or swimming
Skin sensitivity and a disrupted skin barrier can also worsen preexisting skin conditions like atopic dermatitis (eczema), allergic contact rashes, and acne. If you have any of these conditions, establish a gentle skin care routine, avoid known triggers, and consult your Dermatologist for personalized advice.
When to See Your Dermatologist
If you experience hives or severe or worsening rashes with sunlight or heat exposure, make an appointment with your Derm. Several conditions and medications can contribute to skin sensitivity, and proper treatment depends on understanding the cause. A board-certified Derm can perform a detailed workup to determine what's causing your symptoms.
How Can You Support Heat-Sensitive Skin Conditions?
If you have heat-sensitive skin, it's still possible to enjoy sunny days and warmer weather. Here are some tips that can help keep your skin protected and comfortable.
Find a Sunscreen That Works for You
Sunscreen is key to managing sensitive skin during the summer months. But not every sunscreen is compatible with skin sensitivities. Pay close attention to the ingredients in your skin and sun care products to minimize your risk of a reaction.
Look for a sunscreen with mineral ingredients like Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide, which protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays and are generally suitable for sensitive skin. For example, EltaMD UV AOX Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 contains antioxidants Vitamin E and Vitamin C plus hydrating and soothing ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Bisabolol, and Ginger Root. According to survey results, 92 percent of participants agreed this formula doesn't irritate their skin.
Stay Cool
Keep your body and skin as cool as possible to prevent excessive water loss. Wearing light-colored, breathable fabrics like linen or cotton, applying a cool compress to sunburned or irritated skin, and taking breaks in the shade or a temperature-controlled environment are all helpful ways to beat the summer heat.
Hydrate
Maintaining healthy hydration levels helps regulate your body temperature. Drink plenty of liquids throughout the day during sun exposure and extreme heat.
Avoid Certain Ingredients
It's a good idea to adjust your skin care regimen according to seasonal and environmental changes no matter your skin type. If you have sensitive skin, minimize or avoid chemical exfoliants like alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids (Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, and Lactic Acid) and avoid manual skin exfoliation. Over-exfoliating can lead to dry, irritated skin, especially during extreme temperatures. Ingredients like Retinol and Benzoyl Peroxide can also increase sun sensitivity.
Moisturize
After you've been out in the sun, apply a gentle, hydrating moisturizer. Your skin gets thirsty, too! Look for a fragrance-free formula rich in ceramides, Glycerin, Petrolatum, Squalane, or Hyaluronic Acid to help seal in skin moisture. EltaMD Moisture Seal locks in moisture for up to 24 hours, while EltaMD Skin Recovery Light Moisturizer restores the skin's natural barrier with a patented combination of three amino acids.
Protected Skin Is Happy Skin
You don't have to stay inside or hide from the summer sun if you have sensitive skin. Apply a mineral sunscreen with gentle, hydrating ingredients every day, and follow general sun safety tips like wearing sun-protective clothing, staying hydrated, and taking breaks in the shade. This way, you can enjoy the outdoors and protect your skin from the irritation, dryness, and discomfort that can accompany heat and sun exposure.
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