So, is your skin ready for the summersIJ Beauty experts maintain that the sunny Indian summer can be pretty harsh on the skin. So, just like the wardrobe, beauty box too needs a seasonal restocking. In order to overcome the seasonal blemishes and loss of collagen, it is important to comply with certain skin care regimen, writes Sana Riyaz
Summer has hit the city of lakes and so have the countless kinds of damages to the skin. From skin ailments, including sun tan, sun burn and dehydration, summers can also cause serious problems like skin blemishes, pimples and pigmentation.
This season can really ruin the skin. Apart from regular bleaching, cleansing, scrubbing and exfoliation, the skin requires toning during the season. So, instead of depending upon chemical toners, it is suggested by some experts that natural therapy for different skin types may be used.
But, the busy schedules women often leave them with little time to care for their skin. After all, they have to keep pace with time. For these women, experts have suggested tips which include not only home-care, but also therapies that can be used to keep the glow of the skin intact.
Some experts recommend top beauty products that should be on every woman's dressing table and in her bag too. They should have a good knowledge about what is to be applied to the skin and what not. It's important to exfoliate your skin during summers to remove the dead skin and open up pores. According to beauty expert Shahnaz Husain, "using a scrub once or twice a week in summers is a good idea. It is also suggested to keep the skin type in mind before buying a scrub." For oily skin prone to acne and pimples, use sea salt and oatmeal scrubs. For dry skin, sugar-based scrubs are recommended by her.
Summer season is the time when the skin behaves a bit different. Thus, it is very essential that one should take care of the skin during this season in order to look fabulous. High humidity does not allow the skin to breathe and helps dust particles to stick to the skin. Dr Abhineet Gupta, dermatologist of Poison Clinic, while talking to Viva City explained various kinds of problems the skin could be afflicted with during the season. The most common problems are sun burn and sun tan. He said "sometimes the skin does not remain moisturised and because of dryness, the skin gets tanned or burned very easily."
He suggests that aloe vera plant may help to fight such skin problems. He suggests using aloe vera leaf extract mixed with natural rose water for best skin protection from tanning and clogging. This also helps overcome skin allergies, rashes and itching.
Divya Wadhwani, a college student, said "I have oily type skin. Summer season does not suit my skin at all and it gets tanned and looks ugly. It becomes difficult for me to move out of the house due to the embarrassment. As a precaution, I use sunscreen that is recommended by my dermatologist before moving out of the house and apply ice cube on my face."
To overcome such problems, rose water is the best astringent. It hydrates and tones the skin keeping it oil-free. Facial mist sprays relax and moisturise the skin. They may contain sunscreen and antioxidants. According to make-up expert Kanika Bhardwaj, "always carry mist bottles in your bag during summers. If you have a dry skin, use a facial mist with moisturising properties. For oily skin types, a facial mist with lemon oils and anti-bacterial effects would be beneficial. For summers, water-based moisturiser works best for normal skin types. For oily skin, use gel-based moisturiser to control oil production."
On the other hand, Dr Anand Dubey says "tinted moisturiser works well in summers providing sheer to light coverage. Choose an oil-free moisturiser for summers to remove the extra oil from skin."
Sunscreens are not meant to last forever and most people don't use as much as they should. It is recommended to the people of all skin types to use the sunscreen lotion. It makes a safety shield on the skin and protects it. One should be using a glass full for the body and a full teaspoon just on the face. Reapply every 1-2 hours if one is in the sun to ensure a summer full of safe sun fun, he added.
While explaining further, he said "many people think that not applying sunscreens is alright, as sometimes there is no sun to brighten up the sky. But, it is important for them to know that UV rays can still damage their skin."
Eat a lot of fruits and apply fruits on skin to make it look more beautiful in the summer season, says Dr Gupta. He shared a few treatments which could be done at home. Fruits contain natural vitamins and minerals that are very beneficial for the skin. Homemade face packs score over chemical face packs available in the market. Banana face pack is good for oily skin with open pores, as it reduces oil and deters wrinkling of skin. He says "pineapples and peaches give an instant glow to the skin. Face pack with apple extracts help remove dirt buildup and excess oil, while papaya removes skin tan."
Bushra Khan, a working lady, says "the change in seasons causes skin damage like tanning, white patches and much more. I decided to consult a dermatologist who answered all my queries just in one sentence that it is due to not taking proper care. My dermatologist prescribed some creams to put on my skin. My skin is looking much better than before."
Dr Gupta mentioned a few tips to protect the skin. He said "taking a proper diet, eating green vegetables and drinking a lot of water may help. But, the most important precaution to remember in this season is to prevent skin from drying." The dryness in different parts of the body can cause fungal infection. Mostly, it happens between the toe fingers, arm pits and even face sometimes. Elaborating further, he said the first step to protect your skin is to cleanse it regularly. The pH value of our skin is normally between 5.3 and 5.5. If the value decreases or increases, it can cause other bacterial infections. So to overcome it one has to use the toner, after cleansing the skin to balance the pH value.
Waseem of Waseem's Beauty Parlour gave some tips to be followed while applying make-up on your face and body. He said "skin is the most beautiful element of one's personality. A good skin always compliments the personality of a person." While mentioning a few tips, he stated that using a light lotion-based moisturiser or serum would gently rehydrate the skin and also brighten it up. He also suggests avoiding heavy makeup and using waterproof make up when necessary. Remember to nourish the skin from the inside too. Eat salads faded in boiling water to disinfect them, vegetable soup, which will keep you warm and healthy and drink the usual 8-10 glasses of water," he added.
So, is your skin ready for the summersIJ Beauty experts maintain that the sunny Indian summer can be pretty harsh on the skin. So, just like the wardrobe, beauty box too needs a seasonal restocking. In order to overcome the seasonal blemishes and loss of collagen, it is important to comply with certain skin care regimen.