Sipping on lemonade, indulging in popsicles and taking a dip in the pool can be quite exciting in summer. However, you have to take extra care of your skin during these harsh months. The sun is cruel and acing a few skincare basics for summer can prevent some of the most common skin issues such as premature aging, dark spots and unwanted tan.
Here’s how you can make sure your skin stays healthy in summer
- Hydrate, hydrate and hydrate
- Protect your skin from the sun
- Be gentle with your skin
- Eat a healthy diet
- Wear protective clothing
Hydrate, hydrate and hydrate
Hydrate your skin both on the inside as well as externally and more so in summer. Your skin may look dull, parched and lifeless without proper hydration. Replace your regular moisturiser with a water-based formula or use the Lakme 9 to 5 Naturale Aloe Aqua Gel to soothe and hydrate skin as well as protect it from external pollutants.
Protect your skin from the sun
Summer, winter or monsoon leaving your house without a layer of sunscreen on your skin is a strict no-no. Yes, we agree skin tends to get greasy in summer and some formulas make matters worse. Therefore, look for a sunscreen that gives a matte finish such as the Ponds Sun Protect Non-Oily Sunscreen SPF 30. This lightweight formula is dermatologist tested and offers protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
Be gentle with your skin
Exfoliation is important, yes. But don’t go overboard, limit it to twice a week and be gentle while doing so. Exfoliating too frequently or too harshly can damage the protective layer of the skin and expose it directly to external damage. Be careful during and after shaving or waxing, apply enough moisturisers too soothe and calm your skin.
Eat a healthy diet
We cannot stress enough on how important it is to follow a healthy diet. Include more seasonal fruits in your diet and those with high water content such as watermelon and coconut water. Avoid junk and heavy meals that will make you feel exhausted, lazy and tired.
Wear protective clothing
Other than protecting your facial skin also think about the rest of your body. Avoid fabrics that will irritate your skin or cause rashes. Wear loose cotton or linen clothes or those made with other breathable fabric. Wear a wide brimmed hat while at the beach or near the pool to prevent sun rays directly hitting your skin and hair.
Written by Sanya Hamdani on Apr 23, 2019