I am writing this down a few months into living, working, and exploring all the beautiful Emirates. It’s just one of those articles you keep coming to update because there are new updates 🙂
Let’s share UAE skincare tips:
Hydration is not just a suggestion; it’s a necessity in the dry climate of the UAE. You must drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin and body in top condition. Speaking of hydration, coconut water is cheap and available at any corner, and, in the UAE, I found the best mint lemonade I have ever had.
Back to the skincare routine, it’s good to choose a facial mist to hydrate and replenish moisture on the go. I have successfully introduced these mists in my skincare routine:
– Mario Badescu Skin Care, Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber, and Green Tea, found and bought in Romania, Sephora, can’t remember the price.
– Skin Proud Refresher Face Mist, from watson.ae
And now I’m obsessed with Institut Esthederm Cellular Water Mist Spray; it’s so good, I can’t let it go; it’s available in all pharmacies across the UAE and online at an excellent price. Esthederm also has a UAE version of their website where you can order online your favorite products.
Look for gentle cleansers to remove that dirt and that dust without stripping away natural oils. I’m always looking for products specifically formulated for my skin type: sensitive, oily, or combination. A good cleanser is step one to healthy skin.
And my latest discovery in super-effective cleansers is Sukin Facial Foaming Cleanser. The Australian brand for which I am falling in love with every product I use.
Invest in a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer to combat dryness without clogging the pores. Apply it both morning and night to keep your skin supple and nourished.
– Byoma Moisturising Gel Cream will always stay in my skincare routine; here is more about it.
– Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Gel Cream Moisturizer is another fabulous lightweight, oil-free option I love to spoil my skin after a day out in the UAE sun.
Never underestimate the power of sunscreen in the UAE’s sunny weather. It’s an absolute must in your skincare routine. It is important to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF to protect the skin from harsh UV rays.
❗Remember: apply and reapply your SPF cream. Every few hours. Especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors.
You can never have too many sunscreen products, so these are the ones I currently use:
– Supergoop Glow Stick SPF 50; wrote more about it here.
– Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen, SPF 30; the travel version is always in my purse or car.
– Supergoop Glow Screen SPF30. Always tucked into my bag for those “just in case” moments. It’s my go-to for a quick, effortless glow that wipes away the day – the gridlock, the blasting AC, the stress.
– La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 SPF 50+ Oil Control Gel Cream
– La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 SPF 50+ Oil Control Fluid; I love La Roche-Posay products.
– Elta MD Skincare UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46 for acne-prone skin; this is a new entry in my skincare routine and my vow to myself: I will buy this cream over and over again.
Vitamin C is the secret weapon of your skincare routine in the UAE. Applying Vitamin C serums before your SPF can help fight those pesky sunspots on your cheeks. Because I am a skincare obsessed, of course, I have a collection of Vitamin Cs, also:
– Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster is the best Vitamin C I’ve ever had. I have to replace it now and then because it’s very annoying to purchase it here; it’s available only on Amazon or on their website directly. The problem is that the order takes too long to arrive, and I must pay customs fees every time.
– Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum is the second-best Vitamin C I’ve ever had. It has been with me for a long time, and I don’t consider letting it go too soon; it must be in my skincare routine, whether I use it or not. It’s available online and in stores at Sephora across the UAE.
– La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum.
– The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Revealing Serum. Now and then I like to return to this serum because it’s so good and available whenever I’m in need.
The UAE offers the opportunity to explore local ingredients and international brands that are ONLY available here. Read reviews, consult your dermatologist, and try sample sizes first before committing to a full-sized product. After a quick research, I could mention these brands: Ixora Organic Beauty, Izil Beauty, Arcana Soaps, Juve Skincare, and Mariam EM. They also have a social media presence, good reviews, and good social initiatives, and not just because of that, I am looking forward to trying them on my skin.
Adapting to a new environment like the UAE it’s overwhelming, but it’s also an opportunity for personal growth and discovery. The key is to be patient and persistent and to keep trying until you find what works best for you.
Note to self: it’s all about adapting, learning, and finding what works best for me in this beautiful desert oasis.
The Founder
If you are an expat in the Middle East facing skin concerns and want to share your story, send us a message at [email protected]
*Disclosure: I received no compensation for this review. This is solely based on my personal experience and assessment.
