Summer is upon us in all its glory. COURTESY
It's that time of the year when hot tea becomes a little less favoured and lemon sorbet will become a go-to option. Very soon, anything synthetic will be a no-no and cotton will be your go-to fabric. Umbrellas come out to give your sunscreen company, suede shoes get packed away and flip-flops become favorite. Hmmm, we are talking about summer. Summer is upon us in all its glory. And with it, a whole lot of skin care issues too. Oily skin gets oilier, and dry skin gets patchy. There are breakouts and pimples, rashes and roughness, and that acne just wouldn't go away! Just a few simple changes in your everyday skin care regimen can ensure that you are all set to glow through this season too. Here are few summer skin care tips that can come quite handy.
Here's a holistic list of summer skincare tips that would help all skin types.
Face care
Make sure to keep your face clean of dust and sweat through these hot months. Splash your face with water at least 3-4 times every day. No need to use a face wash every time, clean water would do just fine. Use a scrub once or twice a week depending on skin type. Acne prone skin needs multani mati (fullers earth), chandan, rose water and basil whereas if you have dry and matured skin you should use egg white, lemon, chandan and curd with a pinch of turmeric and besan too.
Use weather appropriate products
Summer months need products that let your skin breathe naturally. Go for lighter lotions and serums. Water-based moisturizers work best for normal skin types. For oily skin, gel-based moisturizers are preferred. For extra oily and acne prone skin, stick to facial sprays with minerals good for your skin. Natural moisturizers like glycerin and rose water added to the bathing water helps a lot and applying plain curd for 10-15 minutes on all dry areas of the body before bathing works wonders too.
Stick to the basics
You may think your skin cannot get dry during summers but that's a myth. Moving in and out of air-conditioned areas alone can cause your skin to dry out. Make sure you follow the age old principle of cleaning, toning and moisturizing at night before sleeping. Sweating can cause our skin pores to open up. Use a toner or astringent after cleansing to close these pores.
Importance of sunscreen
Don't forget to wear sunscreen! UV rays can be harmful for your skin any time of the year, but more so in the summer months. The UV rays could cause of premature ageing and wrinkles. A minimum SPF of 30 is recommended and must be applied 20-30 minutes before you head out into the sun. If you are going to be swimming, then keep re-applying as and when it gets washed out. For oily skin, gel-based sunscreen is preferred, while combination and dry skin should use a sunscreen moisturizer and which gets absorbed well without leaving a residual layer.
Natural remedies
Lemon and tomato are very good for keeping your skin fresh. A quick way to use tomato is to juice tomatoes without water and freeze the juice using your regular ice-trays. Use this as a gentle scrub every alternate day and let the juice dry on the skin before washing it off.
Don't forget the eyes and lips
The sun's rays are the harshest between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. during summer months. Avoid stepping out around these times. If you do step out, make sure your eyes are covered with sunglasses and lips protected with a balm. If too much heat is making your eyes burn, then wash them with clean and cold water. A couple of cold cotton pads dipped in potato juice can be soothing too.
Maintain hygiene
Having a bath twice a day will not only keep your skin fresh and combat summer lethargy. A bucket-bath with neem leaves can help to prevent prickly heat . People who suffer from body odour can also benefit from regular bathing. Chlorine water speeds up the process of tanning, sure you bathe after a swim to get the chlorine off your body.
Eat cooling foods
Eating heavy food is bound to make you sluggish in a weather like this. Additionally, it can make your skin oily and susceptible to breakouts. Go for seasonal fruits and vegetables. Stay away from sugary drinks that are full of calories. Make sure your intake of water is an optimum 8-10 glasses at least. Try vegetable juices and natural alternatives like coconut water, cucumber or lemon water to hydrate yourself and feel fresh.
Wear breathable fabrics
Cotton and lighter fabrics are a must to tackle the heat. Tight clothes can cause irritation and make sweaty parts of the body itch more. Wear loose fitting dress to give a window to your skin.
Don't fear the sun
Lastly, don't be afraid of the sun as it is a mood enhancer. Sunlight helps us produce more seratonin – a mood boosting hormone. That's exactly why days of no sun during winters can make you feel low. Just make sure you balance the outdoor travel with a good skin care regimen and protect yourself from the harmful impact of sun rays.
Have a happy summer!
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