WELCOME SUNSHINE !

The weather just got warmer, days got longer, and spring bid adieu even before you realized it – SUMMER is finally here. This season, it’s all about sunshine, sunglasses, spending long nights over tall drinks, and reaching out for summery outfits (yay!).

On the contrary, this season is also about blazing sun, blistering heat and humidity, which can be extremely unforgiving on your skin causing heat rash, blisters on skin and extreme redness. It’s that time of the year when oily skin tends to get oilier and dry skin gets rough and patchy. 

THE IMPACT

Before we get handy with some skin care regime lets understand the impact summer leaves on our skin:

• Sunburn – At a particular time of the day, the sun’s rays are too harsh for the skin and can result in red patches and rashes that burn. This mainly affects people with sensitive skin.
• Heat Rashes – We tend to sweat a lot during summer time and sometimes all the summer dirt and dust gets clogged in our sweat ducts, stopping perspiration. This leads to heat rashes and blisters.
• Infections – The sweltering heat and sweating turns our skin into a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. This can cause an infection when two people come in contact with each other or end up touching the same things.
• Acne – Oily skin tends to produce more oil during summer. Dust and dirt clings onto our skin when outdoors and clogs the pores which results in skin breakout, acne or pimples.
• Chafing - Chafing is one of the most common skin issue during summers. Mainly caused by increased friction from skin-on-skin or clothing-on-skin, it is accompanied by rashes, pain, stinging, or burning sensations. This is aggravates during the summer because the skin traps more moisture due to excessive sweating and results in more chafing.
• Dehydration – The scorching sun tends to take away most of the moisture and water from our body. Not replenishing our body with the required amount of fluids can result in dehydration.
• Tan – Irrespective of the color of our skin, excessive exposure to sun can often lead to ugly patches of tan instead of a uniform one.  

DON’T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON YOU

Making simple changes to your skin care regime can actually help you a great deal in coping with the sweltering summers.  Keep scrolling for preventive measures and skin care tips that will get you through this skin-baring season with ease -

CLEANSE IT RIGHT

For combination or oily skin type, make sure to use a cleanser that has salicylic or glycolic acid. These acids help in promoting cell turnover by loosening dead skin cells and keeping the complexion clear to prevent any breakouts.

EXFOLIATE THAT DEAD SKIN 

Besides clearing away dry and dead skin cells, Exfoliation also unclogs pores, prevents acne, evens the skin tone, increases cell turnover and skin's radiance, clarity, and youthfulness. Exfoliate your skin no more than three times a week.

MOISTURIZE AWAY 

Not just during summer time, moisturizing should be part of your regimen all year round. When you’re stepping out during summer, buy a higher SPF and lighter formulation moisturizer to prevent freckles, sun spots and early signs of aging. Moisturize at bed time to keep the skin hydrated, soft and smooth. Other exposed parts of your body need protection too especially neck, hands, chest and feet. Applying moisturizer followed by sunscreen in these areas will prevent premature signs of aging. 

SCREEN THE SUN

Buying a product with higher SPF isn’t enough, you need to look for its UVA/UVB ray protection capabilities as well. Dab some sunscreen at least 20 minutes prior to heading out in sunlight to allow your skin to absorb the product and reapply every hour or as needed. 

DARE TO IGNORE THE EYES AND LIPS

Skin around the delicate areas of your face will gradually thin down and cause wrinkles due to continued exposure to sun. Make sure to protect these areas with appropriate creams and balms.   

USE OF ANTI-CHAFING AND ANTI-RASH CREAMS

Using anti-chafing products like SkinEasi Anti-Rash Gels on the chafe prone areas like inner thighs, groin, armpits, underarm, bra straps, under breast, toes, etc. can reduce the risk of chafing. These new age skincare products with silicone based barrier protection technology, have proven to be excellent in preventing chafing and providing long lasting protection to skin. The silicone based gels form water repellent film that keeps sweat away and helps reducing friction.

BOOST IT UP WITH VITAMIN C

Collagen, the skin supportive tissue that helps keep the skin healthy, firm, strong and prevents hyperpigmentation is maintained by the intake of Vitamin C. Reap the benefits and load up on vitamin C rich foods like amla, orange, grapefruit, lemon, tomato and green leafy vegetables amongst others.

WATER BABIES

With the outside temperatures rising, we tend to shower more during summertime. Spending too much time under water especially if it’s warm, tends to make our skin dry. Limit the time spent in shower to 4-5 minutes.

LESS IS MORE WHEN IT COMES TO MAKE-UP

Make-up on your skin tends to block pores and sweat leading to breakouts and acne. Let the skin breathe and keep make-up to as minimal as possible.

SKIN FRIENDLY FOODS

The season comes loaded with many foods that can really be our skin's closest aides. Eating seasonal fruits, vegetables and gulping down coconut water are the best options for a glowing, refreshed and rejuvenated summer skin.

HYGIENE 

Taking shower twice a day will ensure that our skin is clean and fresh. Our body tends to get dirtier due to excessive sweating and makes dirt cling to it.

BUSTING THE MYTH BEHIND SKIN CARE

• Myth – Oily skin doesn’t need moisturizer. 

Busted – Moisturizer keeps the oil levels in your skin under control. Your skin will overcompensate for the moisture loss by producing excess oil if you don’t dab on a moisturizer.

• Myth – Sunscreen is to be used only when you step out in sunlight.

Busted – UV rays are too harsh and can penetrate into your skin even on cloudy days. Reapply every 2-3 hours to keep your skin protected.

• Myth – The SPF in your moisturizer is enough to protect you from the harsh rays.

Busted – Coating your skin with a layer of broad-spectrum sunscreen or dabbing on 10-12 layers of makeup to get the benefits of sunscreen, you do the math.

• Myth – The more expensive the product, the better it will work.

Busted – Pretty deceptive as it may sound but the active ingredients are present in both products. Packaging and pricing are all that’s different.

 Don’t let the harrowing heat play havoc on your delicate and precious skin. 

 

 PROTECT IT! PRESERVE IT!