Skin Care During Haze: 6 Simple Habits for Malaysian Skin

Haze season means windows shut, aircond on and a faint smoky smell on your clothes after the school run. It also raises a fair question about skin care during haze: what should change, and what should stay the same?

Skin care during haze is not about overhauling your whole routine. It comes down to a few basics (cleansing, moisturising and daily sun protection) done consistently while smoke from Indonesian forest fires hangs over Malaysia. If you missed it, our earlier post explains how haze and skin are linked to dark spots.

What haze does to your skin

Haze carries fine particles that settle on your face along with sweat, oil and sunscreen. By evening, that film can leave skin feeling dull and uncomfortable. A review by dermatologists in India also links air pollution to pigment changes, with UV appearing to make things worse.

Meanwhile, the sun has not gone anywhere. A smoky sky looks muted, but UV still reaches the ground, which is why skin care during haze must keep sun protection in the plan.

6 simple habits for skin care during haze

1. Check the API before you plan your day

The Department of Environment's live API dashboard shows readings for stations across the country. When your area crosses 100 (Unhealthy), move errands, jogs and pasar malam trips indoors or to another day. Fewer hours outside means less smoke and less UV on your face, the simplest step in skin care during haze.

2. Cleanse gently when you get home

Wash your face once you are back indoors, and again before bed. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests a gentle, alcohol-free cleanser, lukewarm water and your fingertips rather than a rough cloth. It also advises washing after heavy sweating, which is handy after a sweaty helmet ride.

3. Skip the hard scrubbing

When your face feels grimy, scrubbing harder seems logical, but it irritates skin instead of cleaning it better. Pat dry with a soft towel rather than rubbing. Calm skin is easier to keep even-looking, and that is the real goal of skin care during haze for anyone watching their dark spots.

4. Moisturise, even in humid weather

Long hours in air-conditioned rooms with the windows closed can leave skin tight or flaky. Dermatologists recommend applying moisturiser while skin is still damp after washing, and switching to a cream if you feel dry. A comfortable skin barrier copes better with daily wear and tear, so moisturiser stays in your skin care during haze.

5. Wear sunscreen every morning, grey sky or not

The AAD points out that up to 80% of UV rays can pass through clouds, so a dim, hazy morning is no reason to skip it. Apply SPF50 to your face, neck and ears as the last step, and reapply at lunch if you are out. This habit matters most for keeping dark spots from getting darker.

6. Keep an eye on your spots

Once a week, look at your skin in daylight by a window and note any new or darkening patches on your cheeks. See a doctor or dermatologist if a spot grows, changes colour or shape, bleeds or itches. No home routine replaces a proper check, and a dermatologist can suggest stronger options if needed.

What skin care during haze can't do

No cream filters the air you breathe. For your lungs, follow official advice: limit outdoor activity on bad days, keep windows closed and wear a suitable mask if you must go out, especially if you are in a high-risk group.

If you are pregnant, have sensitive skin or want to use a product on your child, patch test first and ask your doctor if unsure. Keeping the routine short also means fewer chances of irritation.

A simple routine for skin care during haze

• Morning: gentle cleanse, moisturiser, then sunscreen as the final layer.
• Back home: wash off the day's grime and pat dry.
• Night: cleanse again, moisturise and get enough sleep.

Want your sunscreen to do more for dark spots?

Daily SPF is the habit dermatologists keep coming back to for dark spots — but it only works if you actually wear it every day.

Hishin Colostrum Whitening Sunscreen is an SPF50 PA++++ sunscreen made for Malaysian weather, notified with NPRA (NOT230303172K). It combines:

• New Zealand colostrum yeast extract — rich in amino acids, helping keep skin moisturised and the look of dark spots fading over time
• Japanese black tea (Wakoucha) extract — with vitamin B3 to support a smoother, more even-looking tone
• Citrus extract with vitamin C — an antioxidant that supports skin's collagen

The white cream spreads clear without a white cast, sets in about 30 seconds and holds up to sweat. Twist off the gold cap, squeeze some onto your palm and spread it evenly over your face, neck and arms as the last step of your morning routine.

It works alongside the habits above — shade, hats and reapplying — not instead of them.

The bottom line

Skin care during haze comes down to the basics done well: check the API, cleanse gently, moisturise and never skip sunscreen. Pick two habits to start today, and keep them going once the skies clear.

Try Hishin Colostrum Whitening Sunscreen →

Individual results vary. Hishin Colostrum Whitening Sunscreen is a cosmetic product and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any skin condition. If you have a persistent or changing skin spot, please see a doctor or dermatologist.