And even when our lotions and potions seem to be holding up, the actives inside them may not be. Thanks to its complex blends of oils and UV filters, sunscreen, the ultimate hot weather staple, is extremely heat-sensitive. "Or, the emulsifier type or amount is not enough to keep the cream together."
"Creams can break at higher temperatures, either because the water phase is lacking a water-binding agent like a polymer, or a suitable hydrocolloid, like xanthan gum,” Hardikar explains. "Paper soaps and shampoo or soap bars are also well-accepted as they are not affected by heat.” And while these sturdier products should see us through the heatwaves to come, other staples are a little more delicate.
#MY SUMMER CAR SKINS SKIN#
"People are leaning towards products like sheet masks and hydrating mists which provide moisture and nourishment, along with cooling relief to the skin in heat," she says. But with sweltering heat forecasts to make frequent future appearances, how will brands adapt?Īt Antrim Cosmetic Solutions in Toronto -a city which broke its own heat record in June - chemist Anjali Hardikar has first noticed changes in consumer habits. Many of our products just aren't built for the record temperatures we've seen this summer and last summer, this winter, and the winter before. It's not the only time she has come across makeup that is no match for the hot spells which regularly scorch her city-and she's not alone.Īs extreme climate events sweep the globe, melting makeup, evaporating eau de cologne, and stylers that liquefy in sunlight have become commonplace.
When Nancy Gagnon, a formulator at the Designer Beauty Lab in Santa Ana, California, ventured out into a summer heat wave wearing a full face of makeup, the final look wasn't quite what she was going for: "Half of my brows melted off, leaving me looking like some character from a sci-fi movie," she recalls.Ĭarrying out real-world tests of cosmetics from competitor brands like this is a key part of product research for Gagnon.