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Here are 4 key steps to keep your skin looking healthy, bright and blemish-free in hot weather.

1. Cleansing

It’s very important to wash your face in humid weather but it’s equally important not to overdo it. Twice a day is just enough: once in the morning and then in the evening.

It’s vital that you thoroughly wash the day off your face in the evening, get rid of make-up, dirt, excess oil, pollution and allow your skin to breathe and retain oxygen. Beware of washing your face too much, you run the risk of disrupting your skin's protective barrier and causing it to be more prone to breakouts.

2. Hydration

Your skin retains more moisture in humid climates due to the moisture in the air, but that doesn’t mean you should skip moisturizer. Just pick a lightweight one, such as gel or water-based creams.

Without proper hydration, your skin will produce more sebum to compensate for the dryness and this can lead to breakouts and irritation. Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day by drinking lots of water, coconut water and fresh juice.

3. Sunscreen

Wearing SPF and sun protection is essential in all climates but it becomes even more critical in tropical climates as direct sun exposure is more likely. Sun damage is the biggest culprit for aging skin, the sun emits UVA rays which penetrate the deeper layers of skin and interfere with connective tissues and blood vessels.

For tropical climates, the recommended SPF is 30-50 and above depending on exposure, and it's important to re-apply it throughout the day if you’re under the sun.

4. Stress Management

Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin and a healthy state of mind, take steps to manage your stress.

Get enough sleep, exercise regularly, set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results might be more dramatic than you expect.