Skincare tips: Sweat-proof your beauty routine to beat the heat in summer

Sweat can clog pores, destabilise sunscreen, and make moisturisers feel suffocating. Keep your skincare light, breathable, and non-comedogenic to support your skin (Image: Canva)

Indian summers come with scorching heat, sky-high humidity, and an unwelcome layer of sticky sweat. Add makeup or thick moisturiser to that mix, and your skin can feel overwhelmed. In this season, your skincare needs to work with your skin, not against it. That’s where sweat-proof skincare comes in to beat the summer skin struggles.

It’s not just about how much you sweat, it’s about how your skin reacts to that sweat, says Malini Adapureddy, Founder of Deconstruct. “Sweat can clog pores, destabilise sunscreen, and make moisturisers feel suffocating. In such conditions, skincare has to be light, breathable, and non-comedogenic to support your skin. Products  designed for Indian summers should actively manage the side effects like breakouts, dullness, and greasy texture. It should keep your skin functional and protected,” says Adapureddy.

Sweat-proof skincare, she says, doesn’t mean waterproof everything. “It’s about strategic formulations, like lightweight textures, oil control, and ingredients that target sweat-induced stress. “Look for niacinamide to balance oil and salicylic acid to clear pores. Sunscreen, for instance, needs more than just high SPF, it should be sweat-resistant, invisible, and comfortable to wear," she says.

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Adapureddy suggests following these tips to counter summer skincare problems: 

• Choose non-comedogenic formulas: Look for products labeled “non-comedogenic” to avoid clogged pores. These formulations are designed to let your skin breathe, even when it’s sweating heavily.

• Switch to gel-based moisturisers: Heavy creams in summer? Hard pass. Gel-based moisturizers with hyaluronic acid hydrate skin without sitting on top like a sticky layer.

• Use salicylic acid smartly: This gentle exfoliant clears sweat and sebum from pores, reducing breakouts and blackheads. Use it in cleansers or toners a few times a week.

• Trust your sunscreen: Go for sweat-resistant, broad-spectrum chemical sunscreens with SPF 50+ and zero white cast. Look for words like "water-resistant" or “encapsulated UV filters.”

• Don’t ditch moisturiser, just downsize it: Skip the thick layers and switch to Vitamin C serums or hydrating toners. These offer antioxidants and hydration without the greasy finish.

• Layer smart, not heavy: In summer, less is more. Stick to 2-3 lightweight steps in your routine: cleanse, hydrate, protect. Your skin will thank you for it.

• Use blotting sheets instead of over-washing: Instead of re-washing your face constantly, use blotting papers to soak up sweat and oil without disturbing your skincare or causing dryness.

• Cleanse gently, but often: Increased sweat and pollution mean more buildup. A mild, sulfate-free cleanser used twice daily can help reset your skin without stripping it.