Monsoon is a refreshing time of the year. The intoxicating fragrance of the rain, the cool breeze, and the cosy evenings makes the season special. While the rainy season can bring long spells of rain, it also brings along high humidity levels that can lead to a number of skin problems.
The change in the season makes your skin prone to several conditions such as eczema (a skin condition that causes itchiness and inflammation on the skin), acne breakouts, allergies, fungal infections such as athlete's foot (a fungal infection that begins between your toes), etc.
Therefore, it is important that you follow a good skincare regime during the rainy season to keep your skin healthy. Let’s take a look at some of the skincare tips and home remedies that you can inculcate in your everyday routine.
8 Quick Tips For Monsoon Skin Care
1. Use a good sunscreen. If the days are rainy and cloudy, it does not mean that you are safe from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Therefore before stepping out, make sure that you apply good sunscreen on your skin.
Choose a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30 (Sun Protection Factor) and above for better protection.
2. Exfoliate your skin. Clogged pores can be one of the reasons for acne breakouts. Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells from the outer surface of the skin and also helps in unclogging your pores.
It promotes the growth of new skin cells giving you brighter-looking skin. Natural ingredients such as coffee, oatmeal, or sugar work best as exfoliants and are mild on the skin.
3. Cleanse and tone your skin. After exfoliation, use a mild cleanser to cleanse the open pores. You can use natural ingredients such as aloe vera, honey, or rose water.
Lemon juice or green tea can be used to tone your skin after cleansing. It helps remove dirt and impurities from your pores.
4. Use a good moisturizer. Using a good moisturizer helps in keeping your skin hydrated and soft. Coconut oil or olive oil are some natural ingredients that can be used as moisturizers.
5. Stay hydrated. It's normal that you don't feel thirsty during the rainy season, but it is important that you drink enough water. It helps keep your skin hydrated and also helps in flushing out toxins from your body.
6. Avoid heavy makeup. Wearing heavy make-up can clog your pores and this can lead to acne breakouts. If you regularly use makeup, make sure that you remove it thoroughly before going to bed. Instead of using cosmetic make-up removers, you can switch to coconut oil.
7. Avoid oily and fried food. Monsoon calls for bingeing on fried snacks. It is better to limit or avoid oily and fried food as it can cause acne breakouts. Consume more seasonal fruits and stick to a balanced diet.
8. Let your feet breathe. You can wear open footwear as closed shoes can trap sweat. When your feet stay sweaty for long hours, it can lead to bacterial or fungal infections.
Home Remedies For Your Skin This Monsoon
1. Mud packs. Mud packs work wonders, especially for oily skin. Oily skin is more prone to acne breakouts. Mud face packs such as multani mitti are rich in minerals and efficiently absorb excess oil from your skin.
2. Rosewater. Rosewater is packed with antiseptic (prevents the growth of disease-causing microbes) and antibacterial (helps arrest the growth of bacteria) properties.
It acts as an excellent cleanser. Rosewater can be mixed with lemon juice and applied to your face to cleanse your face and remove dirt and impurities. It also helps in reducing oil secretion and preventing acne.
3. Neem leaves. Neem has antifungal properties (effective against fungal infections) and it is beneficial to your skin in many ways. It moisturizes your skin and also helps in lightening scars and pigmentation caused by acne.
You can crush neem leaves into a paste and apply it to your skin to prevent acne and to keep your skin soft and supple during the monsoons.
4. Turmeric. Turmeric is well known for its antibacterial properties. Applying turmeric paste to your skin helps in brightening and moisturizing your skin.
It also helps prevent acne and lighten the scars and marks. It helps fight inflammation (an immune response to an irritant) and skin allergies that are common during monsoon.
5. Tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is an essential oil that has many benefits on the skin. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe dry, irritated, and itchy skin. The antibacterial properties of tea tree oil make it an effective wound healer.
It is also a popular choice for treating acne. You can mix 2-3 drops of tea tree oil in your moisturizer or a carrier oil and apply it to your skin once or twice a day.
These home remedies can effectively keep your skin healthy during the monsoons. Avoid harsh products on your skin and try using more natural ingredients. Make sure you cleanse your face twice a day especially before going to bed.
If your skin is oily, it is always better to wash your face with warm water instead of cold, as warm water will effectively rid your skin of excess oil, leaving your skin clean. Taking regular showers in lukewarm water helps keep your body clean and free from body odour.
Following these simple measures can help in keeping your skin healthy during monsoons.
Have a happy and healthy monsoon!
Disclaimer: This article is written by the Practitioner for informational and educational purposes only. The content presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.