Your skin has turned sticky as the rains have set in. Tweak your vanity
caddy in keeping with the monsoon to stay glowing and fresh all day. Here’s your guide to monsoon skincare:
CLEAN RIGHT
A cleanser is a must in your skincare essentials. With the increasing humidity you tend to perspire more. “Use a foamy cleanser or a face wash to clean your face,” says dermatologist Dr Madhuri Agarwal. “Choose ingredients like salicylic acid or mandelic acid – suitable for all skin types – for gentle cleansing, twice a day. Excessive washing irritates the skin. You can use blotting paper or hydrating mist through the day to keep your skin fresh.”
BYE TO DEAD SKIN
Get an exfoliator. “Regular routine of exfoliation in monsoon unclogs pores, reduces dead skin build up,” says Dr Agarwal. Exfoliate twice a week for oily skin and once a week for dry skin. An over use robs skin of its natural lipids, damaging skin barrier. “Make use of a chemical exfoliator according to your skin type. A salicylic acid exfoliator unclogs pores whereas an alpha hydroxy one is good for gentle exfoliation. Wash the face using cleanser, then apply the chemical exfoliator on the clean skin. Always hydrate the face afterwards.”
GET A HYDRATOR
Invest in a good moisturiser. During the monsoon, profuse sweating causes more dryness. “Make way for a moisturiser that is rich in humectants – water- loving agents in skincare products that draw moisture to the top layer of the skin,” advises Dr Agarwal. “Commonly used humectants are hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Apply when you just get out the shower. Vitamin B5 – sold as Panthenol or ProVitamin B5, builds upon the skin barrier function, improving the outer layer of your skin’s hydration, while enhancing solid tissue regeneration. It carries significant healing properties,” she says.
EMOLLIENT IT IS
Bring in an effective emollient moisturiser on top of your humectant, to seal in the moisture. A multipurpose moisturiser works perfectly. “A moisturiser with niacinamide,s squalene, matrixyl is a good choice. Niacinamide is a multitasking ingredient exhibits anti-inflammatory activity that can soothe skin conditions like acne and rosacea. It regulates oil production and benefits the skin by helping to decrease sebum production. Niacinamide also benefits the skin barrier by encouraging ceramide production and helping the skin stimulate keratin production – leading to a healthier skin barrier. Squalene helps slow down trans epidermal water loss and boosts the level of moisture in your skin,” explains Dr Agarwal. Use a gel moisturiser for dry skin to avoid feeling greasy.
SUN BLOC
Even though it is cloudy during the monsoon, with no sunshine, use a
sunscreen with SPF 50. “ The UVA and UVB rays can penetrate the cloud cover and lead to signs of sun damage on your skin,” cautions Dr Agarwal. “Guard yourself against pigmentation, sunspots and freckles by using sunscreen every day. A broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30 and PA 3+ must be used on a daily basis to prevent skin damage during the rains.
SUPER TIP
A daily use sleep mask helps in overnight skin repair. Spot niacinamide,
ceramides, collagen, peptides and cica on the labels. For oily skin, a clay mask once a week, containing bentonite clay prevents pore clogging and dead skin build up.
Shilpi Madan for Deccan Herald