The monsoon brings respite from the heat, but this is also the season that poses lot of challenges to the skin. Our skin needs maximum care and attention in this moist and humid weather. Follow these tips to maintain glowing, healthy skin in this tricky weather:
Formulate a skincare plan:
You should first cleanse your skin (remove impurities), then exfoliate (remove dead cells), freshen (improve skin texture by refining pores), moisturise (maintain hydration level) and finally protect (provide a base before cosmetic application).
Don’t forget the sunscreen even when it’s cloudy: Use a waterproof, sweat-resistant, lightweight and oil-free sun lotion enriched with Vitamin C.
People with oily skin should go for a sunscreen with mineral fillers: Normal skin types should opt for high-SPF sunscreen.
Purchase oil-absorbing tissues that remove the oily shine off your face and keep your makeup looking fresh throughout the day. These tissues are easy to carry in your bag wherever you go.
The high levels of humidity in the monsoon lead to minimum evaporation from the skin’s surface. Wash your face at least three to four times a day to avoid stickiness.
Use a moisturiser after every wash to make up for the loss of moisture caused by frequent cleansing. It will keep the skin hydrated for at least eight hours.
Oily skin collects dust and grime very easily during the monsoon. This can lead to an outbreak of pimples and acne. Use
a deep cleanser to clear clogged pores and moisturise at regular intervals.
Remove your makeup using an oil-free makeup remover and cleanse thoroughly.
Use a face mask at least twice a week. You can prepare effective monsoon masks at home by mixing
multani mitti with rose water or
besan with curd. Apply on the face, keep on till it dries completely and then remove by splashing cold water.
(With inputs from skin expert Isha Gargya of Covermark and Hina Nagrajan of Mary Kay Cosmetics)