Oily skin in Pakistan’s heat: a simple routine that holds up
Humidity, dust and long commutes. What actually helps, in the order you do it.
· 5 min read · By the Nimaya team
From May to September much of Pakistan runs hot, and in Karachi and along the coast it is humid as well. Add road dust and long commutes on bikes and rickshaws, and oily skin has a hard time. A short routine, done every day, holds up better than a shelf of products.
Why heat makes oily skin worse
The skin’s oil glands respond to temperature. Studies of skin temperature have found that oil output rises as the skin warms, which is why the same face can feel fine in December and greasy by noon in June. Sweat mixes with that oil, dust sticks to both, and pores get crowded.
Morning
- Cleanse with a salicylic acid face wash to clear the night’s oil.
- Moisturise lightly. Oily skin still needs water. A gel or lotion labelled non-comedogenic or oil-free is enough.
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher, broad-spectrum. Gel or fluid textures sit better on oily skin than thick creams. Reapply if you are outdoors for long.
During the day
- Blot, don’t keep washing. Blotting papers or a clean tissue lift shine without stripping your skin. Washing more than two or three times a day irritates it and can make it oilier.
- Wash after heavy sweating, such as after sport, a long ride or a day outdoors.
- Hands off. Touching and picking moves oil and dirt around and turns small spots into marks.
Night
- Cleanse thoroughly. Evening is when the day’s sunscreen, dust and pollution come off. If you wear makeup, remove it first, then use your face wash.
- Moisturise. Any treatment a dermatologist has given you usually goes on at night, after cleansing.
Small habits that help
- Change your pillowcase twice a week in summer.
- Wipe your phone screen; it rests on your cheek.
- Wash helmet liners and caps regularly.
Skip these
- Toothpaste, lemon juice or raw baking soda on pimples. They irritate and can leave dark patches.
- Heavy oils and thick creams on oily, breakout-prone areas.
- Harsh scrubs with sharp particles.
Sources
- Cunliffe WJ, Burton JL, Shuster S. The effect of local temperature variations on the sebum excretion rate. British Journal of Dermatology, 1970.
- American Academy of Dermatology, “Acne: tips for managing” and “How to apply sunscreen” (aad.org).
This guide is general skincare information, not medical advice. For severe or persistent acne, see a dermatologist.