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Texas is second only to Florida in the list of “most moved-to state” in the US. Houston, in particular, is super popular with an average of 275 people moving here every day! Let’s be honest, though: is it that much of a surprise that people want to move here? Amazing food, great culture, an awesome community, and, of course, our sunny weather draws people from all over the country to our beloved Houston.  But even for long-time residents and newcomers alike, giving yourself the proper skin care in Houston’s climate can be tricky. While mild winters are a blessing compared to Northern states, we also have high humidity, bouts of dry heat, and scorching summers. Your wardrobe isn’t the only thing affected by the Houston climate: your skin is greatly affected as well. In this post, we want to give you our Chic Lash-approved tips for skin care in Houston. We’ll go over how Houston climate affects your skin as well as what you can do to protect and maintain your skin while you’re here.

Houston Is Humid

“It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.”  You’ll hear this phrase all over Houston almost year-round. Houston in general is an extremely humid city with the water vapor in the air making it feel hotter than it actually is temperature-wise.

The Good

Let’s start with the good news. Humid air means that there’s a lot of natural moisture. This is great for keeping your skin hydrated and for retaining moisture. Moisturized skin is often healthier and more youthful looking, which is a win for you! 

The Bad

Humidity (combined with Houston’s heat) can also lead to enlarged pores, which makes it easier for dirt, debris, allergens, and more to clog your skin. This can lead to acne & uneven skin textures.  Humidity can also increase sweat production leading to clogged pores, heat rash, and a greasy shine. Facial services along with a skincare routine with acne washes and exfoliation can treat acne breakouts and reduce the size of your pores to prevent further breakouts. However, some people experience almost the exact opposite problem in humid climates like Houston. Increased sweat production can sometimes lead to dehydrated and dry skin. 

What to Do

If you find that that’s the case, Chic Lash Boutique highly recommends using products with hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is found in a number of skin care products for its many benefits, including:

• Increased moisture retention
• Reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, and redness
• Overall improved appearance of skin

Offset water loss from increased sweat production by drinking a lot of water throughout the day, wearing lighter clothes in hot & humid weather, and making sure to take breaks from the outdoor air when necessary. Humidity can also affect your eyelash extensions and lash lifts. High humidity can cause the adhesive used for your extensions to not be as strong, leading to more loss and a potential for more frequent re-lashes.  At Chic Lash Boutique, we make sure that the humidity inside our shops is ideal for adhesive application. If you’re finding that Houston’s climate is affecting the life-span of your lashes, we can set you up with a monthly membership or more frequent re-lash eyelash extension appointments.

Dryness Can Hit in the Winter

Somewhat strangely, Houston can also have bouts of intense dryness, especially during the winter months. This dry air can, as you might guess, dry out your skin.  When the air is dry, you want to avoid using hyaluronic acid or products containing it. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, meaning it pulls moisture from the greatest source. When the air is humid, it pulls moisture from the air to help your skin. When the air is dry, though, it will actually leech moisture from your skin, which can intensify any dryness you’re experiencing. Increasing your water intake and moisturizing daily can also offset any dryness you might see.  During the winter dryness, you’ll want to use heavier or full-bodied moisturizers or lightweight oils such as almond oil moisturizers. In the summer, though, thinner moisturizers and creams will work better and won’t make your skin feel hot or heavy (which can lead to breakouts and sweat in those summer months).

Mild Winters & Anything But Mild Summers

One of the biggest draws of the Houston climate is the overall sunny warmth that we get here basically year-round. We have about 204 sunny days every year and our average temperatures in the peak of winter sit in the mid-40s (compared to Maine’s 10.8℉!).  Summer, however, is a different story. Houston’s average temperature in July is over 93℉ (plus that humidity we talked about), which is almost 10 degrees above the national average. Our UV index is also extremely high throughout the year, meaning that our skin is often exposed to dangerous UV rays. All that being said, our biggest Houston skin care tips are: 1) Always Wear Sunscreen!, 2) Keep Cool, 3) Drink Water, and 4) Mind the Sweat.

Sunscreen

Beautiful sunshine comes with a price: UV rays. Sunscreen is essential for protecting your skin from the harsh UV rays that Houston is constantly bombarded with throughout the year. That’s right: you need to wear sunscreen in the winter too, especially with Houston’s high UV index. Opt for an eco-friendly sunscreen that’s free of harsh chemicals. “Our skin absorbs up to 60 percent of what we put on it,” says our owner Jenn Ngo. “If chemicals are harsh for the environment, then they are harsh for your skin and body, too!” Check to make sure that your eco-friendly sunscreen is non-comedogenic to help prevent breakouts. Some sunscreens also have acne fighting properties built into them. Many skin care products like creams and moisturizers have sunscreen in them already, but make sure you’re applying some sort of SPF to exposed skin when you’re outside. Make a designated facial sunscreen a part of your everyday routine, though, for maximum protection. Apply as directed underneath your makeup. If applying as a spray, apply it on top of your makeup.

Keeping Cool

Scorching heat combined with Houston’s humidity leads to feeling hot almost all of the time during the summer especially. This can lead to increased sweat production that, as we mentioned earlier, can lead to breakouts, redness, heat rash, and skin dryness.  Staying cool whenever you can with air conditioning, fans, face wipes (to wipe away sweat), and drinking plenty of water can help keep you feeling comfortable and keep your skin healthy. Room temperature water is usually best. Facial services can also help reduce breakouts caused by excess heat and sweat. On top of staying cool, keep blood pressure and stress at a minimal. Relaxation and breathing techniques can help combat external forces rejuvenating us from the inside out. If we're good inside, our skin will radiate outside!

Need Skin Care in Houston? Chic Lash Boutique Can Help

Chic Lash Boutique is a Houston-based company run by long-time Houston residents. You can trust us to understand the Houston climate and provide you with skin care Houston residents need to maintain healthy and gorgeous skin, lash extensions, and more. Contact us today to set up a consultation appointment or for more information regarding your skin. We look forward to hearing from you! Image credit: Flickr/eflon