Ace The Perfect Monsoon Skin Care Routine: From Cleansing To Moisturising To Sunscreen

To effectively cleanse your skin during monsoons, use a gentle cleanser suitable for your skin type. The increased humidity can cause excessive sweating, leading to the accumulation of sweat and oil on the skin. This can clog pores and result in breakouts and acne. The damp conditions also create an environment conducive to fungal growth. It is important to choose the right type of cleanser considering individual skin type. For normal skin type, use lightweight gel cleansers and for dry skin use cream-based cleansers that provide hydration and nourishment to dry skin. 

For oily skin, choose foaming cleansers as they are typically oil-free and help remove excess sebum, dirt and impurities without drying out the skin. We recommend using Lakme 9to5 Vit C + Facial Foam. The built-in soft silicone facial brush gently exfoliates your skin to remove dullness. The power of vitamin C helps to even skin tone and gives skin a bright look after every wash. 

2. Exfoliation and Detoxification 

Exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells, prevents clogging of pores and allows better absorption of skin care products. During monsoons, skin might look dull due to the effects of humidity and environmental pollutants. And gentle exfoliation helps reveal fresh and radiant skin by eliminating dull and uneven skin tone. Detoxifying treatments such as clay masks or activated charcoal-based products can help draw out impurities and excess oil from the skin. 

Clogged pores during rainy season can cause blackheads. Get rid of blackheads with Pond’s Bright Beauty Gel Face Scrub. Enriched with the goodness of vitamin B3 and E, this unique gel scrub formula exfoliates the skin to remove blackheads. Vitamin E provides nourishment and moisturisation and vitamin B3 gives healthy glowing skin. You can also create a DIY exfoliating scrub at home by mixing sugar and olive oil, baking soda and honey and ground coffee with coconut oil. These ingredients are readily available at home for an instant DIY exfoliation process.  

3. Hydration and Moisturisation 

The monsoon season can expose the skin to various environmental stressors such as humidity, pollutants and allergens. A well-moisturised and hydrated skin acts as a protective barrier, helping to shield the skin from the external stressors. Excessive humidity can also stimulate the skin to produce more oil leading to a greasy appearance. Dehydrated skin can trigger the overproduction of the oil as the skin tries to compensate for the lack of moisture. Hydrated skin appears plump, smooth and youthful. 

It's important to choose moisturisers that suit your skin type and concerns. A recommended moisturiser for all skin types is Simple Kind to Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser. It is enriched with pro-vitamin B5, E and borage seed oil that helps to restore moisture and repair dry skin. Look for lightweight, non-comedogenic formulas for oily or combination skin, while drier skin type may benefit from more emollient moisturisers. 

4. Sun Protection 

Applying sunscreen is a non-negotiable for all seasons. Even on cloudy or rainy days, harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can penetrate through the clouds. The sun may occasionally peek through the clouds, but the short bursts of sun exposure can still contribute to skin damage over time. Applying sunscreen during the monsoon season helps protect your skin from those rays.  

Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher when it comes to sun protection during monsoons. If you’re looking for a lightweight, easy to use, spray sunscreen, we recommend using Lakme Sun Expert Ultra Matte Spray. This SPF 50 sunscreen shields from UVB rays known to cause skin burns. PA++ factor indicates protection from UVA rays known to cause dark spots, premature ageing and skin darkening.  

5. Dealing with Acne and Breakouts 

During monsoons, choose skincare and makeup products labelled as non-comedogenic or oil-free. These products are less likely to clog your pores and contribute to breakouts. Look for light formulas that won’t feel heavy or greasy on the skin. Additionally, adequate hydration helps maintain the skin’s natural balance and can prevent excessive oil production.   

6. Nourishment and Face Masks 

Incorporate nourishing face masks and serum into your skin care routine during monsoons. Look for masks and serums that contain hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramids, aloe vera, honey or vitamin C. Use Lakme 9to5 Vitamin C + Serum for smooth and nourished skin. This serum is enriched with the richest known source of vitamin C – Kakadu Plum. Vitamin C helps reduce skin dullness by fighting free radicals and promoting skin health. 

You can also DIY a homemade face mask for skin nourishment. Take one ripe avocado, one tablespoon honey and one tablespoon yogurt. Mash the avocado and add honey and yogurt to form a paste-like consistency. Apply the mask and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes, and rinse. Honey is a natural humectant that attracts moisture, avocado is rich in healthy fats and antioxidants that help moisturise and nourish the skin, and yogurt contains lactic acid which gently exfoliates the skin.   

7. Night Time Care and Repair 

A night time skin care routine helps repair the skin during sleep. Night skin care routine steps include cleansing, toning, serum and moisturiser. After cleansing, follow it up with an alcohol-free toner to rebalance the skin’s pH levels and remove any impurities. A moisturiser helps replenish moisture and support the skin’s natural barrier function at night. 

Bonus Tips for Monsoon Skin Care 

• When it comes to makeup, opt for lightweight, water-based and non-comedogenic products during the monsoon season. Heavy or oil-based makeup can clog your pores and worsen breakouts. 

• Include foods that are high in vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids to support your skin’s health. 

• Quality sleep is essential for your skin’s health and rejuvenation.  

FAQs about Ace the Perfect Monsoon Skin Care Routine 

Q1. How often should you exfoliate the skin during monsoon season? 

A. It’s generally recommended to exfoliate the skin one to two times a week during the rainy season.  

Q2. How does monsoon affect sensitive skin type? 

A. The moisture-laden air can make the skin more sensitive and prone to irritation and inflammation. Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis may worsen during the monsoon season. 

Q3. How does monsoon affect our lips? 

A. Humidity during rains can cause moisture to evaporate from the lips, leading to dryness. This can make the lips feel tight, rough and prone to cracking. It’s important to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and keep your lips moisturised by using a lip balm. 

Before setting up any monsoon skin care routine, understand your skin type and concerns. A good skin care routine in rainy season will keep your skin protected, hydrated and well-nourished. It helps maintain the health and appearance of the skin, promoting a radiant and balanced complexion.