Monsoon skincare: Beat the grease with expert beauty tips

The much-awaited monsoon winds are now advancing towards Mumbai. According to climate expert Rajesh Kapadia, "Mumbai may see the onset of showers post-June 16,". With soaring humidity levels, breeding grounds for bacteria and fungi have sprouted up in the pockets of the city. To beat the grease and grime of Mumbai's monsoon, we have scoured expert essential skincare tips for you.

Queenie Singh, founder of Beauty by BiE shares a tip to ensure healthy skin during monsoon. "By allowing your skin to breathe amidst the rain, you can fully embrace the splendor of nature while prioritizing self-care. Firstly, opt for lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizers that hydrate the skin while preventing pore blockage. Secondly, get your hands on sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection. Lastly, treat your skin to antioxidant-rich serums, combating the stress induced by the damp environment."

Monsoon may bring respite from the scorching heat, but it has the potential to wreak havoc on your skin. Seasonal change and humidity are synonymous with excess oil, blackheads and stubborn acne. To add to the agony, some might experience massive outbreaks and worse, a fungal infection. To combat monsoon woes, Mid-Day spoke to Dr. Rashmi Shetty, Cosmetic Dermatologist, Ra Skin & Aesthetics - Mumbai. She shares a handy guide for people dwelling in the island city.

No non-sense skincare regime for Mumbai monsoon

With elevated humidity in the air, it becomes imperative to keep the skin light. Shetty recommends using lighter, gel-based creams instead of thick ones. Sticking to multi-purpose creams is advisable rather than layering too many products which could further contribute to clogging of the pores.

For example, protection from the sun is important during the day which would call for sunscreen application, first and foremost. Hence it would be wise to stick to a sunscreen with high SPF value to shield the skin from bright sunlight. Another important point to keep in mind is to keep your skin clean at all times. Washing your face as often as you need, especially when you've been out and about allowing for dust and pollution to settle on your face, is important as this again could clog the pores leading to inflammation & acne breakouts.

The next step to maintaining your skin's glow is by having a set routine in place. You must consult a dermatologist, if need be, and work out the best skincare routine suited to your skin type. If you have oily skin, it is important to keep the skin hydrated. Therefore, drinking plenty of water and using moisturizer would be important. Ensuring to keep your skin clean is also important as the culminating result of the residual dirt with the excess sebum is blackheads which, if not treated, eventually lead to acne breakouts.

Your gut health also impacts your skin texture. Thus, it is important to have a balanced diet with a higher intake of fruits, vegetables, and probiotics to maintain a clean gut aura. It is advisable to avoid excessive fried and oily foods to prevent breakouts on the skin. Staying hydrated also ensures the dissipation of heat in the gut, thereby keeping the skin cooler.

Monsoon skincare for dry and combination skin

For dry skin too, hydration is key. Circle back to the hydration mantra and consume plenty of water. Pack your face with the right moisturiser and it is sure to do the trick. Avoid hard and excessive exfoliation to keep the pores on the skin locked. Ensure to keep your showers to twice a day and make it a thumb rule to pat dry completely before wearing the new pair of clothes.

For combination skin, using a gentle cleanser is recommended. You can also use an exfoliator once in a while. Avoid using oil-based creams as these could clog the pores further. Exfoliation through any season is important. However, due to the increased humidity, exfoliating once a week is more than sufficient.

Tackling fungal infections

In order to prevent more serious fungal infections, ensure to always wear a clean set of clothes. "A lot of times, I have noticed people wearing denims, particularly, without washing them as they are denims. However, in the monsoons, it is important to wash your clothes every single time that you wear them", recommends Dr Shetty.

Another point to keep in mind is to wear dry clothes only. Due to the increased humidity, it may take a while longer for the clothes to completely dry out and one may not want to wait but this dampness may serve as a breeding ground for bacteria. It is important to also keep your skin dry. You could try using a bit of powder, especially if you are prone to excessive sweating.

While this may sound strange, maintaining your ideal body weight is equally vital. A healthy weight is necessary to avoid various body folds rubbing onto each other as this leads to skin irritation and infections. If you do arrive at such a stage, ensure to consult with a dermatologist or an expert over self-medicating as the reaction could worsen.

Common skincare myths associated with monsoon

During the monsoon, quite a few myths have been known to circle the internet. One of them is to avoid makeup. There is no reason to avoid make-up. However, ensure to use lightweight make-up that won't clog your pores or aggravate any acne. Also, ensure to wash off your make-up before going to bed or once you are back indoors.

Another myth is that it is okay to skip sunscreen as there is no sun. This is completely untrue! The rays of the sun linger and become prominent in the air. Hence, the harsh rays can still cause damage to your skin. Most people also avoid a moisturizer on account of the humid weather. Do not mistake oil for hydration. A moisturiser is a must in Mumbai monsoon.

To keep your face grease-free, invest in gel-based, lightweight creams. Look for ingredients such as salicylic or glycolic acid. In terms of packing your face from outside dust and humidity, there are moisturisers now available along with broad-spectrum sunscreens in the market. Using such multi-purpose products would help in reducing the number of layers on the skin while serving its due purpose.

You could also use wet wipes during the day if the face gets too sticky, particularly if you are exposed to the sun throughout and need to reapply your sunscreen. Clay masks can also be used to help manage the excess oil followed by a moisturizer.

DIY home remedies for monsoon skincare

1. The skin can feel dull during monsoon, use a sheet mask with charcoal or a charcoal-containing peel-off mask.
2. Cucumber juice with rose water works as a good hydrator post-cleansing. It is soothing around the eyes and on irritated rosacea-prone sensitive skin.
3. For dry skin, use glycerine rose water with a few drops of lemon juice. Refrigerate the mixture and apply cold post-cleansing.

Things to avoid during the monsoon

1. Essential oil should not be left on the face for more than twenty minutes.
2. Avoid excessive steam inhalation or steam baths. Stick to once a week, for five to seven minutes and make sure to have a cool shower after.
3. If you get a body massage, shower within twenty minutes.
4. Avoid leaving hair oil overnight to prevent breakouts on the face.

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