The calendar might show you that we are approaching the tail-end of summer but the condition of your skin probably has an entirely different story to tell. We might not be in the throes of scorching temperatures anymore but this humid weather is no less taxing for the body and especially for the skin. By mid-day your face starts to feel like the bottom of a frying pan, accumulated with oil. The grease traps particles of dust and remnants of make-up into the skin’s surface, leading to breakouts and generally dull looking skin. Here are some quick and easy steps to ensure that you don’t suffer from signs of humidity and are able to hold your head up high during the onslaught of festivities that is set to ensue (Eid, weddings and what not).

Deep cleanse

Washing your face with cool water after you’ve been out and about in the sun is essential to removing the perspiration from your face. At night, use an alcohol-free, non-abrasive skin cleanser and rinse it away with lukewarm water. Lukewarm water helps to open your pores and, unlike hot water, won’t strip your skin of moisture. For a really thorough clean, invest in a at-home deep cleansing device such as Neutrogena’s Wave Deep Clean. It’s easy to use - just attach a foaming pad to the stick and rub gently over your face. The vibrating motion of the cleaning device allows the foam to penetrate deep into the skin, cleaning it deeper and better than just a regular routine.

Moisturize with care

If you have skin that tends to get really oily when humidity strikes, go easy on the moisturizer during the day. Your skin is likely to retain its natural moisture, and overloading it will make your face super-greasy. Instead, rely on a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun and provide some additional moisture to the skin. Choose an oil-free formula to keep your skin from getting greasy. Mineral-based sunscreen is an ideal option in hot, humid climates because minerals like micronized zinc and titanium dioxide can actually absorb excess oil. Make sure to choose one that iswaterproof as it will hold up better when you sweat. You can also opt for a mattifying moisturizer such as Body Shop’s Seaweed Mattifying Moisture Lotion, which minimizes shine by absorbing excess oil from the face, while keeping skin hydrated.

Give yourself weekly facials

To further help absorb oil and keep your pores clear, give your face some weekly TLC with a facial treatment. Once a week, exfoliate your skin with a gentle facial scrub, such as St. Ives Apricot Facial Scrub to remove dead skin cells that can clog pores and cause acne. Choose an oil-free formula containing round beads as these are gentler on your skin than harsh grains are. Follow up with a clay-based mask to help absorb oil. You can opt for a formula that contains salicylic acid if you really want to clear out your pores.

You can also whip up a quick cooling mask using some easy-to-find ingredients at home. Here are two easy recipes:

Wash and peel a cucumber. Cut into round slices and place over your face for ten minutes. Let the coolness soak into your skin as you marvel at how easy and natural the whole process is!

Mash one banana and mix with two tablespoons of full-fat yogurt and one teaspoon of honey. Sounds like a super healthy breakfast idea as well.