Summer skincare routines - Entre nous - Al-Ahram Weekly
As the temperature rises and the sun shines brighter, the skin faces unique challenges during the summer months. Increased exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, sweat, and humidity can lead to breakouts, sunburn, and dullness if we don't adjust our skincare routine accordingly.
Fortunately, a few simple changes can keep the skin radiant, fresh, and healthy all season long. Here are some tips for keeping your skin healthy and glowing during the hot summer months.
Cleanse gently: Sweat and oil production tend to spike in summer, which can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Use a gentle foaming cleanser twice a day to remove dirt, sunscreen residue, and excess oil without stripping your skin. If you're often outdoors, consider a second cleanse at night using micellar water or a mild exfoliating toner to ensure your skin is completely clean.
Never skip sunscreen: Sunscreen is non-negotiable. Apply a broad-spectrum sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or higher every morning, even on cloudy days or when staying indoors. UV rays can penetrate windows and damage the skin, leading to premature ageing and an increased risk of skin cancer. Reapply every two hours if you're spending time outside or after swimming or sweating.
Hydrate inside and out: Your skin needs plenty of hydration during hot weather. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day to help flush out toxins and keep your skin plump. Opt for lightweight, water-based moisturisers or gels that absorb quickly and won't feel greasy in the heat. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe vera can be perfect summer companions.
Exfoliate weekly: Exfoliating one to two times a week helps remove dead skin cells and prevents buildup that can lead to breakouts or dullness. Choose a mild chemical exfoliant with alpha-hydroxy acid (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acid (BHAs) if you have oily or acne-prone skin, or a gentle scrub with natural particles for dry skin. Avoid over-exfoliation, especially after sun exposure, to prevent irritation.
Protect and nourish your lips and eyes: Use a lip balm with SPF to prevent chapping and sun damage. Wear sunglasses to shield the skin around your eyes from UV rays. A lightweight eye cream can also help reduce puffiness caused by heat and a lack of sleep.
Go light on the makeup: Heavy foundation can clog pores and melt away in the heat. Swap it for a tinted moisturiser or blemish balm cream with SPF for a natural, breathable finish. Waterproof mascara and a touch of tinted lip balm can complete your fresh, summer-ready look.
Eat skin-friendly foods: What you eat shows on your skin. Include plenty of fruit and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants like berries, watermelon, cucumbers, and leafy greens. These foods can help fight free radicals and provide essential vitamins that nourish your skin from within.
Ultimately, summer can be tough on the skin, but with a consistent and protective routine, you can enjoy the season with a healthy, natural glow. Listen to your skin's needs, stay protected, and let your summer beauty shine through.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 7 August, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
Follow us on:
Short link:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mada
4 hours ago
- Mada
Health Ministry hikes fees at mental health, addiction facilities
Patients at mental health hospitals and addiction treatment centers will now pay significantly more for services ranging from disability evaluations to inpatient care, after the Health Ministry hiked fees at the start of August under a decree obtained and reviewed by Mada Masr. Two psychiatrists warned that the increases will put essential care out of reach for many. Decree 2020/2025 came into effect on August 3, raising the cost of common tests at mental health and addiction facilities. Kidney and liver function tests, blood sugar analysis, and complete blood count tests — once bundled for LE130 — now cost LE400, according to Mahmoud Fouad, head of the Right to Medicine Foundation. Electrotherapy sessions have jumped from LE150 to between LE200 to LE400, while certified medical reports and documents now cost LE100, up from LE30. Previously, psychiatric patients unable to pay received these services free of charge, while the Fund for Combating and Treating Addiction and Abuse covered costs for patients with addictions. But that support has been steadily rolled back since 2020, when former Health Minister Hala Zayed revoked legislation that exempted low-income mental health patients from treatment fees. Ahmed Hussein, a coordinator with the Our Destiny is One campaign and former psychiatrist at Abbasiya Mental Health Hospital, called the hikes 'a certain disaster for a large segment of patients with special needs and circumstances.' Many of these patients, he said, live with chronic conditions prone to relapse, requiring continuous monitoring, yet often struggle to support themselves financially without proper care. 'The state should have taken this into account before issuing such a dangerous decision,' he said, as 'the impact will affect the whole community, not just the patient and their family. Most treatments are expensive, and many families are unable to afford patient care and treatment.' Another psychiatrist at a Health Ministry hospital under the General Secretariat for Mental Health and Addiction Treatment (GSMHAT) echoed the concern, saying it can be difficult for psychiatric patients to find employment in conventional places of work. 'If I ask their families to pay these higher fees, given the current economic conditions, they will refuse,' the psychiatrist told Mada Masr on condition of anonymity. Families already abandon relatives with psychiatric conditions at hospitals, seeing them as a burden they cannot or do not wish to care for. With the new hikes, the psychiatrist said, more patients are at risk of being left behind and ultimately ending up unhoused and exposed. Hussein also fears the decision will drive addiction rates higher, citing GSMHAT research showing that addiction affects three percent of the population, while 25 percent suffer from mental illness, 'including 10 percent who need care.' The second psychiatrist noted that the quality of mental health services has declined in recent years, with no maintenance carried out at facilities for over two years, even as fees have climbed. While the official rationale for the increase is to boost revenue for hospitals' special funds — intended for maintenance, staff bonuses, and end-of-service benefits — the psychiatrist said, 'that's not happening.' The latest regulations reflect a broader push to raise the cost of care, based on a proposal by former GSMHAT General Secretary Menan Abdel Maqsoud, according to the psychiatrist, themselves a former official at the GSMHAT.
Mid East Info
6 hours ago
- Mid East Info
Kilow launches Saudi Arabia's first integrated health marketplace for weight loss - Middle East Business News and Information
Kilow, Saudi Arabia's leading digital health and weight loss platform, is proud to announce the official launch of Kilow Marketplace: a first-of-its-kind platform that brings together medical tools, lab testing, nutritional supplements, medications, and fitness essentials – all in one place to support users across every stage of their wellness journey. Kilow Marketplace marks a strategic milestone in Kilow's vision to provide a medically guided and fully integrated ecosystem for healthy, sustainable weight loss, especially for users on GLP-1 treatments such as Ozempic or Mounjaro. 'We're not just offering products, we're building a smarter, more holistic experience around health. The marketplace connects users directly with the resources they need to succeed,' said Fahad Al Essa, Founder and CEO of Kilow. Marketplace Highlights: Initial partnerships with Bioniq and a growing list of certified labs and healthy nutrition providers. Organized experience: Medications, Labs, Supplements, Fitness Gear. Fully integrated with the Kilow app and user flow. Opportunities for local suppliers to directly reach high-intent health consumers. Kilow invites investors, health brands, and suppliers to join the platform and be part of transforming the health landscape in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Ahram Weekly
6 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Over 600 pilgrims hospitalised due to chlorine gas leak in Iraq - Region
More than 600 pilgrims in Iraq were briefly hospitalised with respiratory problems after inhaling chlorine as the result of a leak at a water treatment station, authorities said Sunday. The incident took place overnight on the route between the two Shiite holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, located in the centre and south of Iraq respectively. This year, several million Shiite Muslim pilgrims are expected to make their way to Karbala, which houses the shrines of the revered Imam Hussein and his brother Abbas. There, they will mark the Arbaeen -- the 40-day period of mourning during which Shiites commemorate the death of Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. In a brief statement, Iraq's health ministry said "621 cases of asphyxia have been recorded following a chlorine gas leak in Karbala". "All have received the necessary care and left hospital in good health," it said. Security forces charged with protecting pilgrims meanwhile said the incident had been caused by "a chlorine leak from a water station on the Karbala-Najaf road". Much of Iraq's infrastructure is in disrepair due to decades of conflict and corruption, with adherence to safety standards often lax. In July, a massive fire at a shopping mall in the eastern city of Kut killed more than 60 people, many of whom suffocated in the toilets, according to authorities. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
