Hey there! 🔥
I stepped out of the shower the other day, toweled off, walked three steps to get dressed…aaand I was already sweating. Just like that. No effort, no workout, just existing in the Philippines in May. And if you've been following the news, you already know it's not just in our heads: PAGASA has been flagging dozens of areas across the country under dangerous heat index levels throughout April and into May, with temperatures reaching up to 44°C. The rainy season isn't expected until somewhere between now and mid-June, which means we're still very much in the thick of it. That weather transition though? Hosts a myriad of issues on its own. 🫣
So what does the heat actually do to our skin?
More than most of us realize. When temperatures spike, our bodies respond with inflammation, it's a survival mechanism, but one that doesn't always know when to stop. For those of us with eczema or atopic dermatitis, changes in temperature and humidity are well-documented triggers for flare-ups, alongside the immune system's tendency to overreact to environmental stressors. Sweat itself can be an irritant, especially when it gets trapped under clothing or sits on already-compromised skin. My legs, face, and stomach have been in a fritz lately—dry, itchy patches that seem to flare up the moment humidity even looks in my direction. Needless to say, it hasn’t been a fun time. 👀
Research actually backs this up beyond just skin-deep: elevated temperatures can cause immune cells to overproduce inflammatory signaling molecules, and temperature fluctuations specifically affect how immune cells mobilize and respond which means the body is essentially caught off guard every time the weather shifts. And in tropical countries like ours, that shift from scorching dry heat to sudden rain and rising humidity doesn't ease the immune system. It just trades one stressor for another. 🔄️ Rising moisture in the air creates favorable conditions for allergens like mold and fungi, which can set off a fresh round of skin rashes, itching, and eczema flares just when we thought the worst was behind us.
So that in-between period, still hot by day, occasionally wet by evening, is arguably harder on the skin than peak summer. The barrier never fully stabilizes because the environment refuses to commit to one thing. ❌
How does Oleia Topical Oil help during this uncertain time?
This is where I've been reaching for Oleia Pure Oil more often than usual, specifically because it has Moringa oil which carries anti-inflammatory properties because it's rich in bioactive compounds like tocopherols, catechins, ferulic acid, quercetin, and zeatin, as well as vitamins A, C, D, and E—all of which help reduce skin inflammation when applied topically. This is not just a marketing thing; published research has actually looked at moringa seed oil's topical effects on skin inflammation and hyperproliferative conditions, finding that it's effective for skin diseases tied to keratinocyte hyperproliferation, with oleic acid also showing effectiveness in acute inflammation. 🌿
For eczema specifically, the phytosterols in moringa oil, like β-sitosterol, have been shown to exert anti-inflammatory activity that helps calm the skin's immune response, reducing visible redness and swelling in irritated patches.
How do I incorporate Oleia Topical Oil into my nightly routine?
The routine right now: pat skin dry after showering (no rubbing — that's the enemy), then apply a light moisturizing toner or lotion while skin is still slightly damp. That's when a few drops of Oleia Topical Oil go on, targeting the areas that have been acting up. The dampness helps with absorption and keeps everything from feeling tight or stripped. For the face, I keep it minimal, just the patches that are visibly inflamed. For legs and torso, a little more generous but still thin. On the nights when it's extra itchy, I put ice on the worst spots before the oil to calm things down first.
There you have it. The rainy season is coming whether our skin is ready or not. Getting the barrier function sorted now, while we still have some control over the variables, is the move. 😎
Show me your bottle and I'll show you mine? 'Til next time! ☔
xo, L.
References:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12619887/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26449379/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12007019/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40347408/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11497553/