Frolicking in the summer heat is all fun until you develop a searing pain on your face and back – congratulations! You’ve just developed a sunburn. While the hot, humid climate may temporarily save you from shoveling snow, it can also wreak havoc on your skin. Whether you’re traveling to the local beach or a foreign destination this summer, the extra moisture and heat call for special skin care protection. Here’s how you can protect your skin no matter how humid and hot it gets.

Keep your skin clean. Oily skin will render you prone to breakouts and sunburn. To cleanse properly, choose an oil-free gel cleanser as it will help dissolve the oil on your face. Choosing a solution with salicylic acid is good if you have an oily face and in humid climate as it effectively exfoliates both inside and surface pores to avoid acne. Try a cleanser with a two percent salicylic acid solution so you won’t dry out your skin.

Remove excess oil buildup. Starting your day with a shine-free, clean skin is well and good. However, the constant humidity and heat will eventually make your face greasy again. To prevent excess shine, simply apply a mattifying product before applying a moisturizer, sunscreen or makeup. The mattifying product contains silicone polymers and talc that instantly absorb excess oil, removing the shine on your skin. Gel and lotion mattifiers are generally the best solution for both humid and hot weather.

Don’t put too much moisturizer. Humid climate tends to be different to people with oily skin. If you have an oily skin, you won’t need to apply a lot of moisturizer during the day since your skin is likely to retain its moisture. You can just rely on broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from excess sun exposure and provide extra moisture to your skin. Buy an oil-free formula to avoid getting oily skin. Sunscreens with mineral-based solutions are ideal in humid and hot weather since minerals like titanium dioxide and micronized zinc can effectively absorb excess oil. You should choose a waterproof sunscreen if you plan to hit the water or expect to sweat a lot. Buy a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher even on cloudy days.

Treat yourself to facials. Having a facial is an absolutely great skin care regimen aside from the products you are using at home. Giving your face some weekly TLC will further help reduce oil and keep your pores clean. During your travel, at night after your summer activity, exfoliate your skin with a gentle facial scrub to get rid of dead skin cells that clogs pores and cause acne. Buy a formula with a clay-based mask to absorb facial oil. Try using a formula that has salicylic acid to clear out your pores more effectively.

Extra summer skin care chill solutions:

• Mist your pulse points and back of the neck with a refreshing green-tea, citrus, or mint body spray. You can do this at home using kitchen ingredients. Use it whenever you feel uncomfortable in the heat.

• Fill a pitcher with ice water and add some cucumber slices. The cold water will keep you from dehydrating, keep your temp down, and the added flavor will make drinking more fun.

• DIY spa-style cold compress. Add two drops of concentrated lemon, mint, or grapefruit essential oil into a liter of water. Soak some of your washcloths, then wring them out, roll them up, and store in the fridge. Drape one over your forehead or neck when you’re feeling the heat.