The relentless heat can be pretty scary for the skin with summer upon us. Skincare issues such as rashes, sunburns, inflammation, and breakouts are prevalent as temperatures rise. If you look closely, your skin actually needs some much-needed attention! Summer skincare products like volumizing creams and dense moisturizers tend to clog pores, exacerbating skin problems. The glare of the sun and our busy daily lives bring new challenges and questions to our skincare, such as: “Is moisturizer essential in this sweltering weather?” (Plot warning: Yes!) But don’t worry because we have an answer on how to care for your skin during summer. In this blog, we will curate some summer skincare tips for you.
All about summer skincare
Always clean
Summer skin care cleanser
The first and most crucial step in summer skin care is cleansing, which helps the skin remove excess dirt, toxins, and oils. So use a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser that’s best for your skin type (twice a day), and you’ll do well.
Exfoliate at least once or twice a week.
Exfoliating helps unclog pores, reduce skin blemishes, and remove dead cells. Choose natural exfoliators that do not contain harsh surfactants that may irritate the skin and cause long-term damage.
Use sunscreen every day.
Protecting your skin from the intense sun rays is an absolute must! An essential step in summer skincare should be to wear sunscreen and apply it constantly, depending on how much time you spend outside in the sun. Summer moisturizers or SPFs form a natural barrier that prevents UV/UVB rays from penetrating and damaging the skin.
Go easy on makeup.
Heavy makeup can hinder the skin from breathing, as heat and humidity can significantly affect the skin. So, choose lightweight and natural cosmetics that are easy and breathable to cover, feel, and act (literally) on a second skin during your summer skincare routine!
Drink more water
Summer skincare – Drink plenty of water
Drinking enough water every day will promote blood circulation, not only to provide adequate oxygen to the skin but also to keep the skin hydrated and maintain the skin’s natural balance. A significant problem with the skin (in the summer) is dehydration, as it constantly loses water from sweating, and the heat can also cause skin breakouts. Therefore, to avoid this, the Indian Medical Association recommends drinking at least eight glasses of water daily to help the skin regain its natural moisture levels and keep it soft, smooth, and supple.
Summer skincare – Exercise
While summer skin care products are great, and most of the time, they may be effective, Ayurveda also promotes healthy and glowing skin as a sign of a balanced and healthy lifestyle. So here are a few quick steps to take complete care of your skin:
Limit your time in the sun: Easier said than done, but whenever you can, stay indoors or wear sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, and an activity or wide-brimmed hat.
Cut back on sugar: Too much sugar may cause an immediate spike in insulin levels in the body, and insulin spikes tend to overload your sebaceous glands (oil-producing glands), leading to constant breakouts, freckles, and redness. Therefore, reduce the sugar in your daily diet and look for healthier alternatives, such as raw fruits and juices, that are free of preservatives.
Exercise! Exercise! Exercise! This should be obvious. An hour of vigorous exercise has enormous benefits for the skin, as exercise helps to improve blood circulation levels and enables the body to deliver essential nutrients to the skin. An added bonus? Exercise also helps lower stress levels!
Get beauty sleep: At night, when your body is at rest, it replenishes tissues and organs by providing them with all the essential nutrients and also helps flush out toxins for beautiful, healthy skin. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body releases too many stress hormones, which can lead to problems like inflamed skin and breakouts, which can lead to long-term and irreversible scarring. The Indian National Medical Journal recommends that adults get at least 7-8 hours of sleep daily for healthy, glowing, vibrant skin.
Homemade summer brightening mask
Add this antioxidant mask to your summer skincare routine to leave your skin glowing and porcelain smooth.
Step 1: Mix 1 TSP. 1/2 turmeric powder, 1 fresh tomato to make a paste, use 2 TBSP. Cream or milk.
Step 2: Use a beauty brush to apply the paste to your face and neck and leave for 5-7 minutes until semi-dry.
Step 3: Wash with warm water. Then, splash cold water or ice cubes on your skin.