HOW TO LOOK RADIANT ALL THROUGH SUMMER!

HOW TO LOOK RADIANT ALL THROUGH SUMMER!

It’s Summertime so time to beat the heat with plenty of ice cream and sodas, sport loose kaftans and shorts and take dips in the pool whenever possible! But with temperatures soaring and the sun glaring down, summer months can be especially harsh to your skin. Adopt the right summer skincare routine and glide through summer looking your smacking best.  

What happens to your skin in summer?

With a rise in heat and humidity, your skin's sebaceous glands produce excess sebum (natural oil), which forms a greasy layer on your skin, attracting dust and grime and blocking pores. A perilous mix of sweat and bacteria trapped in blocked pores leads to acne breakouts , the most common problem in summer.

Summertime also means water loss from the body, leading to dehydrated, easily irritated skin. And with the sun’s UV rays getting harsher, it can lead to excess melanin production, leaving your skin darker, tanned or sun burnt.

The right summer care routine would fix all these skin woes , so let’s see how it’s done!

Adopting the right skincare routine:

Even in summer the basic skincare routine of cleansing, toning and moisturizing remains unchanged. Your skin care should be similar to your wardrobe – just as you switch to lighter breathable fabrics during summer, ditch heavy moisturizers and creams for lighter, non-greasy products.

The first essential - Cleanse !

Cleansing your face is a year-round basic skincare regimen, which one should never ignore. In summer cleanse your face at least twice a day, using a face wash that’s suitable for your skin type. If your skin is dry or sensitive opt for a mild , soap free non-foaming cleanser. For regular to oily skin, a gentle, foaming face wash will do.  Alcohol-free and pH balanced cleansers work well for all skin types.

Don’t skip the Toner

Toners balance out the pH of your skin, cleanse excess oil and grime from your pores and close open pores, so you’re less prone to breakouts, so make to tone post washing your face. Always choose an alcohol-free face toner, no matter what your skin type. For acne-prone skin, use an alcohol free toner with alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). Avoid Salicylic acid-based toners as they can be harsh. You can also tone with home ingredients like  aloe vera gel, cucumber paste and well-diluted Apple Cider vinegar.

Moisturize, even though it’s summer!

A lot of people are tempted to skip this step during summer. But moisturizing your skin is vital as you tend to spend more time in the AC or out in the sun, which can dry your skin. Use gel-based ones for dry skin and water-based for oily skin. Apply the moisturizer directly after your bath.

Exfoliate for that added glow!

Exfoliation boosts blood circulation and gets rid of dead skin cells and grime settled on the skin. Use a face scrub 4-5 times a week to get a vibrant and brighter look. Natural scrubs made from fuller’s earth (Multani mitti), Sandalwood paste, Aloe Vera are rejuvenating.

Hail Sunscreen!

The sun’s UV rays are harmful to the skin and prolonged exposure can cause wrinkles, hyper-pigmentation, sunburns, skin spots and aging. Sunscreen acts as a shield and protects your skin from dangerous UV rays. Choose a sunscreen with “broad spectrum” protection as this offer protection against both UVA and UVB rays. A sunscreen with 30 SPF if you’re indoors and SPF 50+ if you’re directly under the sun is recommended. Always apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply after entering water.

Get Rid of Body hair !

Summer’s the time you want to sport all your sexy teeny weenie wear and feel confident in quite literally ‘in your own skin’. Smooth , hairless and healthy looking skin leaves you looking great and feeling confident.

Choose hair removal products that nourish the skin and are to use even on sensitive areas like the bikini zone and under arms.

Nair, America’s Numero uno hair removal brand is 100% safe and dermatologically tested . It has a range of products with natural active ingredients like Argan oil, seaweed, natural clay , fruit extracts etc that not only get rid of your hair , but also nourish the skin by hydrating and exfoliating it.

You can choose between its leg masks, cream depilatory creams, cover sprays and waxing strips to help you achieve beautiful , hair free skin, right at the comfort of your home. What’s more, Nair has special creams for the sensitive zones like the underarms and bikini areas, made with formulas to give you additional care. It will make your journey to hairless smooth skin instant, stress free and pain free. 

Other tips to sail through summer :

1. Avoid Heavy Makeup: Choose makeup that lets your skin breathe and with ‘noncomedogenic’ (non pore-clogging ingredients).  
2. The Power of Vitamin C: Look for skin care products with antioxidants like vitamins A and C. Vitamin C serum is a powerful antioxidant that hydrates and protects skin.

3. Eat your rainbow: The more colourful your food, the higher the antioxidant and vitamin content which will lead to hydrated and healthy looking skin. Avoid oily, spicy and fried foods that will trigger your sebaceous glands and make your skin even oilier.
4. Stay hydrated: Drinking 2-4 litres of water daily to flush out all toxins from the blood and digestive system. Coconut water, Nimbu pani, citrus juices and vegetable punches will keep you glowing.
5. Dress For Protection: Wear protective gear like wide-brim hats, and sunglasses in the sun. Avoid exposure to midday sun.

Summer face packs for glowing skin:

Skin Brightening & Exfoliating Mask:

Method: Mix one tablespoon of coffee and lemon juice each, in a bowl. Apply this mix on your face and leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing it off.

Benefits: Lemon contains vitamin C which is an effective skin brightening ingredient. Coffee, is a nourisher and exfoliator.

Acne Fighting Mask:

Method : Mix 3 tbsp of Tomato Juice, 1 tbsp Neem powder and 1 tsp Honey well. Apply it to the skin and leave it on for about 30 minutes. 

Benefits: It’s an effective mask to fight acne. You can use this as a spot treatment mask and leave it overnight too.

Moisturizing mask

Method: Mix 1 tbsp honey with ½ cup yogurt and apply it to your skin.

Leave it on for about 10 minutes and then rinse using cold water. 

Benefits: Honey retains the natural moisture of your skin while yogurt brightens it.