Monsoon comes with increased humidity, an array of fungal and viral infections, and mildew. A stage is set for a lot of viral and fungal skin infections like eczema, acne, skin rashes etc, from constant dampness. During monsoon, one might experience excess oily to excess dryness owing to increased viridity. Just as the overcast skies make us moody, you tend to see the effect on the skin. Dullness, acne breakouts are common due to stress on the skin.
Ms. Chaitanya Kenchammana Hoskote, Founder of Maya MediSpa, says, “Make sure to keep your skin very clean and hydrated. Don’t skip the exfoliation and keep the pores clean.
Using a clay mask during monsoons is amazing, especially the zero-skincare clarifying mask, which has got sulphur in it. It helps to clean the pores out. Exfoliation is key because, during monsoon, skin tends to produce oil; sometimes, it can get too dry. Exfoliate to keep the oiliness as well as the dead skin at bay.”
Dr Madhuri Agarwal, Founder and CEO of Yavana Aesthetics Clinic, says, “In monsoons, skin behaves unpredictably and fluctuates from an oily to a dry state.
Monsoon is a high humidity and wet season. The clothes, hair and feet get and stay wet due to rain. There are a few common mistakes that we inadvertently commit in the monsoon leading to more skin problems. Cleaning, scrubbing and hydration are the key points to ensure skin health.”
Here are some of the do’s and don’ts to follow this season so that you can maintain healthy skin
What to do this season:
- Use foamy cleanser to keep the pores clean and keep away the dread skin and dirt.
- Use lukewarm water, and pH-balanced body wash for showering.
- A lightweight moisturiser is a must. Gel moisturiser is a great choice to avoid greasy feeling on the skin.
- Use sunscreen every day. UVA and UVB rays can penetrate the cloud cover and cause skin damage. A broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 and PA 3+ is a good choice.
- Use blotting paper to keep oil at bay during the day.
- Exfoliate the skin routinely to unclog pores and improve skin health and avoid acne.
- Use a chemical exfoliator instead of a physical one.
- Clay masks are great for the monsoon. Apply a call mask weekly.
- Use skin repair sleep masks daily. It is convenient and helps retain skin health.
- Use a bentonite clay mask to reduce clogging and dead skin if you have oily skin.
- Use antifungal powders on fold areas to absorb the sweat and reduce skin infections, especially feet, due to the constant wetness.
- Use only lightweight, waterproof makeup to avoid skin clogging and breakouts.
Avoid these common mistakes for healthy skin:
- Don’t use too much hard water to wash your face.
- Getting showers may be tempting after cold monsoon rains; however, it’s a big No. Hot showers strip the skin of natural oils, which may cause irritable skin.
- Don’t skip the moisturiser and sunscreen. UVA and UVB rays can penetrate the cloud cover and cause sun damage even in monsoons.
- Not washing your face immediately after getting wet in the rain is another big no-no in the monsoon. The rainwater contains harmful gases and toxins that can lead to major skin damage if not washed immediately. It can also lead to allergies and infections.
Monsoon can be a tricky season to take care of the skin. But with the right tips and products, it can be simple!
Happy monsoon!
