As the scorching summer rolls around, our skin begins to experience changes. With excessive heat and humidity all day, our skin starts screaming for more protection – from exhibiting those annoying rashes and sunburns to the stubborn tan and acne.
So it’s essential that our skincare game should be right way to stay away from unwanted summer skin issues.
How Does Summer Affect our Skin?
As the weather gets warmer and humidity increases in the environment, our skin’s sebaceous glands start producing excess sebum (natural oil). The oil secreted gets stuck on the surface of the skin, leading to stickiness, grease and blocked pores.
Acne breakouts are the most common problem that occur in summer. People with oily skin are more prone to it as the bacteria and oils in the skin mix with the sweat causing clogged pores and acne.
When our skin is exposed to the harmful UV rays, melanin production increases in order to protect our skin from sun damage. Melanin has photo protective qualities. Excess melanin results in darker, tanned skin. Other problems can include itchy skin, prickly heat, sunburn and rash due to sensitivity to the sun.
How to Take Care of our Skin in Summer?
1. Face Wash to Remove Excess Oil
In summer, oily skin can get more oily. Using a face wash suited to our skin type that can deep cleanse and remove all the dirt and grime. People with dry skin would need a non-foaming cleanser. Opt for mild, alcohol-free and pH balanced cleansers.
2. A Good Skin Care Routine
One should maintain a skin care regimen and follow it religiously. We have to choose gel-based (for dry skin) and water based (for oily skin) rather than cream-based products as the former are lighter and non-greasy. Cleansing, toning and moisturizing twice a day will help keep our skin clean and fresh.
3. Include Antioxidants in our Skin Care Regime
Antioxidant serums work wonders to hydrate our skin. Besides, they protect our skin from environmental damage, help to boost collagen, and scavenge free radicals to prevent damage to skin. Include a good antioxidant serum in our summer skincare routine. Alternatively, we can add it to our diet by stocking up on citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, green tea, etc.
Specially, Vitamin C serum is a good option for a summer skincare routine. It is beneficial during summer. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, a free radical scavenger that protects our skin from oxidant-induced damages and helps in reducing the pigmentation caused by harmful UV rays.
4. Need to keep our Skin Hydrated
Hydration is key at all times during summer. We can use a hydrating based derma products whiling clean our face, after clean our face to till at night for some extra hydration while we sleep. Splash our face frequently with water or carry a facial mist to freshen our skin at regular intervals.
5. Exfoliate for Healthy Skin
We have to use a face scrub at least twice a week to remove excess dirt and oil from the skin. Need to keep in mind, we must use a scrub that suitable for our skin type and should massage the scrub gently in a circular motion along with our lips & neck too.
6. Wear Sunscreen
The sun’s UV-A and UV-B rays can be very harsh. Besides giving us a stubborn tan, they can cause premature aging, age spots, fine lines and wrinkles. A good sunscreen with SPF 30-50 is vital for the summer months for all types of skin even if we stay indoors most of the time.
7. Avoid Heavy Makeup
Heavy makeup prevents the skin from breathing. Humidity and heat also impact the skin’s ability to breathe. Instead of heavy foundation and other cosmetics, we should consider using a tinted lip balm and a tinted moisturizer if we need to wear some makeup.
8. Use of a Good Toner
A good toner can be effective in closing open pores. The maximum number of sebaceous glands are found on the T-zone of the face. To prevent sweat and oil from clogging these pores, use an aloe Vera or cucumber-based toner as they are lighter.
9. Moisturize Well
A moisturizer is vital to protect our skin in summer. We can choose a non-greasy formula based on our skin type. But look for ingredients like antioxidants like vitamins A and C. If it has SPF, even better. It is best to apply a moisturizer immediately after our bath.
10. Care of Eyes, Lips & Feet
We should try to wear sunglasses to protect the eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. Need to use a moisturizing under eye gel; and a lip balm with SPF under our lipstick. Have to scrub our feet to exfoliate, it’s a necessity to apply sunscreen and moisturizer on our feet too, especially if we are wearing open-toed sandals.
11. Drink More Water & Fruit Juices
Our water intake in summer should be a minimum of 2-3 liters a day. Coconut water, watermelons, and fresh juices are a good way to stay hydrated. Drinking water also helps to flush the toxins from the body. Include yoghurt and buttermilk in our diet.
12. Go for Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables
Include salads and vegetables like cucumber and lettuce in your food – these help the body stay cool from within. Seasonal fruits like watermelons, musk melons; citrus fruits and juices also help keep the skin healthy.
13. Stay Away from Sugary Drinks
Sugary aerated drinks make us feel sluggish due to the excess sugar. Additionally, they don’t add any value to the body as they have no hydrating qualities. If anything, they make us unhealthier and aid in weight gain.
14. Wear Breathable Fabrics
Cotton is the best fabric to wear during summer. Wear light and loose clothing. Avoid tight fitting garments in synthetic fabrics. These can increase our discomfort and make us sweat more, which in turn makes the skin itchy and can lead to infections.
15. Have A Bath Twice a Day
Maintaining good hygiene is very important during summer. A cool bath in the night before we go to bed can help remove all the dirt, grime and sweat our body has accumulated during the day and prevent rashes. Both, the morning shower and a night bath, ideally should be followed with a cleansing, toning and moisturizing routine.
Home Remedies to Get Glowing Skin During Summer
1. Coffee and Lemon
Lemon contains vitamin C which is an effective skin brightening ingredient. Consider including Vitamin C in our summer skincare routine. Coffee, on the other hand, is a great exfoliator.
Apply process: Mix one tablespoon of coffee and one tablespoon of lemon juice in a bowl. Make sure there are no lumps. Apply this mix on face and leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing it off.
2. Aloe Vera
Known for its antioxidant and antibacterial properties, aloe Vera has a soothing effect on our skin which is great during the summers. It hydrates our skin too.
Apply process: Apply aloe Vera pulp directly on skin and massage it gently for around 20 minutes. Keep it for about 10 minutes and later wash it off.
3. Turmeric mask
Turmeric has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties that helps to reduce any inflammation on your skin. Besides, it helps to brighten your skin and adds a natural glow to it.
Apply process: Add a teaspoon of turmeric in a bowl and mix it well with three tablespoons of lemon juice. Apply it on face and let it sit for 20 minutes. Later, wash it off.
4. Honey + Yogurt
Honey retains the natural moisture of your skin while yogurt brightens it.
Apply process: Take a cup of yogurt in a bowl and add one tablespoon of honey to it. Mix well and apply it on skin. Leave it on for about 10 minutes and then rinse using cold water.
5. Papaya
Other than being a mild exfoliator, papaya helps to remove excess oil, dirt from our skin and gives us glowing & soft skin.
Apply process: Take a freshly mashed papaya, add some amount of sandalwood and fuller earth to it and mix it well. Apply this mask on face and keep it for around 20 minutes. Later, wash it off with cold water.
6. Sandalwood + Almond Oil
Almond oil is an effective remedy for rejuvenating and brightening our skin. Sandalwood lightens our skin tone.
Apply process: Make a paste of sandalwood and then add almond oil to it. Mix and apply the paste on skin and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse off later.
7. Tomato
Tomato helps to improve your skin texture with its Vitamin content. Also, it helps to restore our skin’s natural shine, thus making it glowing.
Apply process: Smash a half tomato and make sure there are no lumps. Add honey to it. Apply this paste on skin and leave it on for 15 minutes. Later, rinse it off with warm water.
Conclusion
Our skin requires extra attention and care during summer. With a few simple steps like cleansing and moisturizing, staying hydrated and using sunscreen, we can protect our skin from the harmful effects of the sun and heat. The good news is we can restore our skin’s natural balance, luster, and ensure good health by taking good care of our skin. If we follow a regular skincare routine, eat healthy, and resort to simple yet effective natural remedies to achieve glowing skin.
Madhobi Mehezabeen
Branch Manager
Mirpur DOHS
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