The monsoons have arrived and with the rain, come the sweet smell of mud, fun picnics, and long drives! On the

downside, skin problems are not far behind. For those of you with oily skin and a tendency for acne, high humidity levels can become a nightmare for you. Basic or routine skincare won’t cut it in the rains. Here are some essential tips for skincare for the rainy season to keep your skin healthy and glowing:

Cleanse

All you need is water! Cleansing your skin with warm water effectively gets rid of excess oil that can clog pores and cause pimples. While just warm water should be enough, you can also use a mild hypoallergenic cleanser.

Tone

The humid air of monsoons can clog skin pores. A good toner helps to clear pores, maintain pH balance of the skin and protect the skin from damage.  Preferably, go in for a non-alcoholic toner. For better effectiveness, freeze your toner in ice cube trays and apply generously all over your face and neck.

Exfoliate

Monsoons are also the time when your skin tends to harbour more germs. Using an exfoliating agent can eliminate the bacterial layer and leave skin feeling soft. Better still, make your scrub at home. Whisk together 1 tablespoon each of honey and olive oil, half cup granulated sugar and juice of half a lemon till the ingredients are fully combined. Apply this scrub in circular motion for 2 minutes. Rinse and wash off.

Moisturize

Use water-based moisturizers for oily skin to keep oil secretion in check. If you have dry skin, proper hydration is a must even in monsoon. You can use natural moisturizers such as organic coconut oil, olive oil, cucumber or hemp seed oil for dry skin types.

Sunscreen

It is a misconception that one needs sunscreen only when going out in sunny weather. The UV rays of the sun can affect skin even when it is cloudy. Wear a water-based sunscreen whenever you step out.

Mask

Hydrating face masks and packs made from natural ingredients such as papaya, honey, yogurt, lemon juice, tomatoes work wonders to retain and add to the glow of the skin. Add a splash of rose water for added freshness.

Make-Up

Go light on make-up in the monsoon season. Heavy, layered make-up block pores and can cause skin to become oily.

Hair Care

Getting wet in the rain makes your hair susceptible to fungal infection and brittle hair. Shampoo and condition your hair at least thrice a week during the monsoons. Massage your scalp with warm coconut or almond oil the night before a hair wash. Protect your hair suitably when it is raining.

Diet & Hydration

Humid weather can make you sweat a lot and make your skin look dull and lustreless without enough moisture. Have more fresh fruits, dry fruits and always prefer home-cooked food. Also, stay hydrated by drinking at least 2 litres of water every day.

Sleep

Be it any season, a good 7 hours sleep in the night is a must for healthy skin. Skin repair and regeneration happens best you are in deep sleep.