Summer skin care: Get your skin sun-ready with these essential expert tips

Every season comes with its share of skin care problems - be it dryness during winters, or oiliness during summer - which demands that we are proactive when it comes to our skin care regimen. "When the temperature and humidity change, you must transition your skin care routine in order to adapt to the weather shift. What suits you in winter might not fit once summer hits, as the amount of sun exposure varies from season to season, and that plays a vital role in customising the skin care regime. Pigmentation, ageing, and other factors that affect the tone and texture of the skin are highly influenced by temperature and humidity changes. Thus, your skin care requires dermatologically certified attention, starting with the very basics of using the right cleanser, sunscreen, moisturiser, and serum," explains Dr. Karishma Kagodu, plastic surgeon, founder and managing director of Dr. Karishma's Aesthetics.

Elaborating on the difference between a winter and summer skin care routine, she adds, "During winter, your skin requires more moisturiser when the temperature drops, and skin appears dull and dry without the adequate balance of a well Ph balanced moisturiser. Moreover, hot water showers and steam over-dry the skin and take away the skin moisture content, rapidly drying the skin and compromising the skin's protective layer, resulting in skin itchiness or atopic rashes. Thus, thick moisturisers, soothing creams are essential components of a winter skin care regime. As summer approaches, you would want the same hydrated skin, but a few ingredients in your skin regime may need change. As the humidity levels and temperature rise, the sun exposure will also increase, which plays a role in skin pigmentation and ageing."

Kagodu and Dr. Madhu Chopra, cosmetologist and managing director at Studio Aesthetique, share actionable tips for your summer skin care regime.

Hydrate
The importance of hydration cannot be emphasised enough when it comes to skin care. Drink plenty of fluids, as each cell in the body takes a beating during summer. Water quenches the requirement for each cell, and most for all the skin in summer it is extremely beneficial for hygiene and skin.

Lighten makeup
Putting additional layers on the skin in the form of makeup will cause breakouts and pigmentation. The best way to avoid foundations - be it liquid or creamy - is to use a lightweight BB cream that is tinted. Eye makeup should be lighter, as sweat and grime may cause blocked pores.

Sunscreen
Broad-spectrum sunscreens that give protection against UVA and UVB are recommended. Choose your sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 40, but the higher the better. If you have acne or oily skin, look for non-comedogenic sunscreens. For dry skin, the sunscreen should contain hyaluronic acid or ceramides, and creamier ones. For normal to dry skin, cream or ceramide-based sunscreens are recommended. The moisturiser, serum, and sunscreen require customisation as per skin types, as it is the time when skin can easily approach irritating rashes, sunburns, persistent tan, or breakouts.

Cleansers
Using exfoliating cleansers once or twice a week in summers is helpful. If you have oily to combination skin, use face washes containing AHA's like glycolic acid or BHA's like salicylic acid, which is great for exfoliating and adds a glow to your skin. A double cleanser - involving a face wash followed by micellar water - is also suggested. This double cleanser will help in removing all the grime that a face wash alone couldn't take care of. Choosing micellar water containing cucumber water or rose is good, as it helps tone your pores. The transition from winter to summer results in changes in hydration, and moisture levels and leads to a change in Ph levels. The PH level is responsible for maintaining an intact skin barrier, preventing any kinds of allergens penetrating into your skin, and preventing further rashes or types of eczemas.

Serums
Various active ingredients can be delivered to your skin in the form of serums rather than creams. Serums are water-based, easily absorbed, and do not leave your face oily, and can be used for all skin types. If you're looking for a serum that is targeting pigmentation then a serum rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, glycolic acid, kojic acid, or arbutin. If you're looking for something that is hydrating or anti-aging, a hyaluronic-based serum at night is helpful.

Moisturisers
You may have to change your moisturiser during summer. Use light-toned or gel-based moisturisers rather than creamy heavy ones - especially those suited for oily skin types. Using heavy cream based moisture in summers causes a problem of blockage of pores which can lead to comedons, whiteheads, blackheads, and is the first step for pimples. Hence, it becomes very important that you use a non-comedogenic light gel-based moisturiser.

Easy to follow home remedies

Scrub it off
Gentle exfoliation every day will help remove build-up in the skin surface. A scrub I find most effective is a mixture of fine granulated sugar and aloe vera gel mixed with lavender essential oil.

De-tan
Combine besan, milk cream, and honey to create a pack, and apply it once or twice a week if you want to get rid of your stubborn tan. Add lemon juice if your skin is prone to acne. However, please bear in mind that overuse can over dry and over exfoliate the skin.

Eye care
A tried and tested way to hydrate the area around the eyes is using cucumber slices known for their calming effect.

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