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This year’s summer has been harsh compared to the last few years and there are no signs of respite from scorching heat and rising temperatures yet. Longer hours of daylight exposure merged with hot, dry, or humid weather can affect your skin differently than the colder and darker days of winter. The rising temperatures can cause your oil glands to become overactive. It results in excessive sebum around the T-zone, skin rashes with itching, sunburn, and early signs of ageing.
To fight this impact, everyone must follow a dedicated summer skin care routine as their primary defence mechanism. Seasonal changes pose a challenge in maintaining a consistent skincare routine, regardless of skin type. The top summer tips for healthy skin ensure you look and feel your best and protect your skin for a lasting radiant glow. So, make a note of our summer skin tips and welcome each new season with healthier, more vibrant skin.
What Does Summer Do to Our Skin?
As summer sets in, the shift in weather not only brings more daylight and warmth but also introduces several challenges. Here’s how the sunny season can affect your skin health:
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Acne: The combination of increased sun exposure, sweating, and more open pores can lead to an increase in acne. Dirt and oil from your hands can transfer to your face. They get trapped by open pores and sweat, resulting in breakouts.
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Dry Skin: Sun exposure can dehydrate the skin rapidly. This dryness makes your skin more vulnerable to damage.
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Oil Production: Higher temperatures and humidity levels prompt the skin’s oil glands to produce more sebum. It can result in a more oily complexion and exacerbate conditions like acne, particularly in the T-zone area.
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Sweat: As the temperature increases, sweat production increases as well. It can get mixed with natural oils and dirt on the skin to clog pores. This situation leads to acne outbreaks, especially if the skin isn’t cleansed thoroughly after sweating.
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Dehydration: Despite higher humidity, the skin can lose hydration due to intense sweating. This strips away moisture and essential salts. It can leave the skin dry, irritated, and less elastic.
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Hyperpigmentation: More sun exposure can cause hyperpigmentation. This means some areas of your skin will darken. The reason behind this is the increase in melanin, the pigment responsible for your skin colour. It is the body's way of protecting you against sun damage.
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Hives from Sun Allergy: Some individuals develop an allergy to the sun, causing hives and severely itchy, bumpy skin.
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Sunburn: Excessive sun exposure can burn the skin. This leads to redness, irritation, and, in severe cases, peeling.
You can consult an experienced dermatologist to learn more about how summer can cause damage to your skin and get personalised skin care tips.
8 Tips for Healthy Skin
You must be worried to know about all the negativities. However, there are ways to take care of your skin to let the summer impacts slide.
Here's a comprehensive list of summer skincare tips beneficial for all skin types:
Face Care
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Your face is your identity to the world, so it deserves year-round care. However, summer demands a specific skincare routine that focuses on hydration and cleanliness. Ensure your face is dust and sweat-free during these warm months.
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Many experience breakouts and pimples during this season. If you're among them, splash your face with water 3-4 times daily. You don't always need a face wash; clean water suffices.
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Moreover, exfoliation maintains cleanliness. Using a scrub once or twice a week in summer is beneficial for all skin types. However, the choice of scrub should align with your specific skin type.
Use Weather-Appropriate Products
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Opt for lighter lotions and serums during summer to allow your skin to breathe naturally. Heavy products can clog pores and exacerbate skin issues. This makes water-based moisturisers ideal for normal skin and gel-based ones for oily skin.
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Stick to the basics of cleansing, toning, and moisturising to counteract the effects of open pores due to sweating and sun exposure.
Importance of Sunscreen
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Sunscreen is a non-negotiable skincare factor at any time of the year. And when it comes down to summer, it becomes even more essential. With the blazing sun posing a significant threat to your skin, be prepared for stubborn tans and painful sunburns if you neglect sun protection.
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Invest in a reliable broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or SPF 50 to shield your skin from harsh UVA and UVB rays. This can prevent tanning, skin burns, and photodamage to a great extent.
Stick to Fundamental Practices
- Adhere to the timeless principles of cleansing, toning, and moisturising, especially during summer when sweating can enlarge pores. Using a toner after cleansing helps close these pores. This can protect you from premature ageing and wrinkles caused by sun exposure. A specialised medical professional can provide you with all the necessary guidelines.
Take Care of Your Lips, Hands and Feet Too
- For the most effective summer skincare routine, follow a proper regimen for your skin and body for infallible protection against the hot weather. An SPF-infused lip balm will keep your lips soft and hydrated in the summer. Stay protected against prickly heat, rashes and sunburns using a thick layer of sunscreen on your hands and feet.
Maintain Hygiene
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Regular bathing, preferably twice a day, will keep your skin fresh. It can also combat summer lethargy.
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Bathing with neem leaves can soothe prickly heat. On the other hand, protecting yourself from chlorine water can prevent excessive tanning, which is common among pool-goers.
Wear Breathable Fabrics
This summer, adopt a no polyester-please policy and watch how it impacts your skin. Opt for lightweight, loose clothes that will keep the sweating in check. Wear light cotton clothes that feel soft on your skin and enjoy the comfort.
Embrace the Sun
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Embrace the sun as it has mood-boosting benefits. Sunlight stimulates the production of serotonin, which enhances mood. This is why the lack of sunlight on winter days can make you feel blue.
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You can maintain a balance by integrating outdoor activities with a proper skincare routine. This will keep you energetic while protecting you from the sun's harmful effects.
The longest season in India is summer. This hot weather can produce rashes and patches on your skin, which linger unless you follow proper skin care. So, make sure to adhere to these easy but crucial summer skincare tips and glow your skin throughout the season.
You can always consult a top dermatology hospital in Mysore to get a personalised regimen for maintaining healthy skin. Book your appointment at Manipal Hospitals, Mysore, for the most beneficial tips and tricks.
FAQ's
Maintain healthy skin naturally by:
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Consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
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Exercising daily.
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Drinking two litres of water daily.
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Sleeping 7-8 hours each night.
During summer, our skin tends to produce a lot of oil that might clog open pores. It leads to acne and breakouts. Hence, using toners in your daily skincare routine is a must. This can tighten and minimise open pores after a gentle and purifying cleanse.
Choose face cream for summer season to avoid weighing down your skin. Consider natural makeup products for light, buildable coverage without a heavy feel.
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