Keeping It Fresh and Cool in Southeast Asia

There’s always something interesting in the bustling roads of Southeast Asia, from different modes of transportation to street food options that will pique your curiosity. But as you explore the unique culture of this region, our climate can get quite extreme. Not only does that endanger your skin and body, but it can mess up your well-being.

Early this year, several excruciating heat waves struck many parts of Southeast Asia, making it unpleasant to navigate our cities, let alone simply stepping outside our homes. But really, the grind doesn’t stop for some of us, so many had to endure the heat regardless.

Though summer isn’t around the corner anytime soon, it’s still important to know how to take care of ourselves, especially our skin, as we navigate the fluctuating temperatures of Southeast Asia. Here’s what’s on our checklist.

Never skip sunscreen

Whether you’re going out for a weekend stroll, rushing to work, enjoying beach waves, or just staying at home, it is essential to cast off the harmful UV rays of the sun with daily skin protection. But you can’t just get any kind of sunscreen—with how humid it can get in here, you should grab sun protection that’s also water-resistant and non-sticky.

Check your favorite sunscreen brands and see if which of the different kinds of formulations— gel, milk, serum, and spray, for instance—work best for your skin.

Don’t sweat it—literally

Sweltering temperatures make us sweat profusely, and sometimes this makes us smell unpleasant. While some Southeast Asian guys are genetically lucky to keep odors at bay, others still need to swipe some deodorant to stay fresh. If you want to amp it up, get products that incorporate scents like lime and cedarwood for some olfactory flair and Aluminum Chlorohydrate to absorb the humidity.

Aside from the heat, air pollution puts our skin at risk. After a long day in our chaotic streets, your face bears the weight of pollutants from the atmosphere, making us susceptible to acne, skin aging, and even skin cancer. As you end your day, whether you are coming home from a whole day lecture, a 9-5 office job, or a day trip around the city, it is crucial to wipe out all the dirt and grime that has been sitting on your skin for hours.

Cleanse the day away

Aside from the heat, air pollution puts our skin at risk. After a long day in our chaotic streets, your face bears the weight of pollutants from the atmosphere, making us susceptible to acne, skin aging, and even skin cancer. As you end your day, whether you are coming home from a whole day lecture, a 9-5 office job, or a day trip around the city, it is crucial to wipe out all the dirt and grime that has been sitting on your skin for hours.

Freshness is a masculine thing

It’s a fact of life for the Southeast Asian man: combating hot and humid weather conditions as they go through our daily lives. As men require essentials to take care of their skin, straightforward solutions are the most appealing.

With the increased presence of men in beauty marketing campaigns, self-care and skincare have evolved progressively into a common part of a guy’s daily routine. For men, knowing how to protect one’s skin from the elements, maintaining good hygiene, and always looking out for products that work for one’s skin—these not only point toward good self-care habits, especially on our side of the world; but they also redefine what it means to be truly masculine.