With the onset of monsoon, our skin is subjected to numerous aggressors each day- extreme weather, pollution, more unhealthy diets due to the weather which induces cravings for pakoras and bhajiyas and our own genetic tendencies. Oily skin is the starting point of a series of events that result in the blockage of pores and formation of acne. This is one bad dream turned into scary reality that a lot of us have experienced in life.
While short spells of monsoon are the perfect moments to enjoy the rains, many of us are restricted indoors struggling to deal with the antagonistic effects of the humid, sultry weather which can take a toll on the skin. Our skin needs moisture to keep it firm and supple. While the skin is very buoyant and can repair itself, we cannot afford to take this self-healing property for granted.
Constant exposure to varying levels of humidity, ultimately makes the skin susceptible to dehydration and damage. The fluctuating weather during the monsoons makes our skin feel like an oil well, constantly causing grease. These changes in the weather along with our hectic lifestyles can be quite unpredictable and can start to show up in various ways such as acne, allergies and rashes ruining the whole romance of the season.
Acne vulgaris is one such antagonist in our love story with the weather. It is an inflammatory skin condition, which manifests itself as open and closed comedones (white heads and black heads), pustules, papules and in severe cases as cysts and nodules. this is why acne has various stages as well as grades of severity and is known as a multi variegated condition.
Dr Aparna Santhanam, Skin Expert, ITC Dermafique suggests a few ways to keep the skin healthy in this season. She says, “Wash your face with a pH balanced cleanser 2 -3 times a day which also targets sebum removal and control. Avoid constantly touching and breaking your pimples. Use lightweight fluid/water-based sunscreens which are specially made for acne-prone skin. Avoid thick creams and moisturisers and also avoid sugar, oily and spicy food in your daily diet”.
Acne is fairly common condition triggered not only by external stimuli but also internal factors such as hormonal changes, diet, poor lifestyle habits etc. A few easy guidelines by Dr Santhanam to keep in mind while battling acne and prevent its recurrence are:
This tricky weather causes blockage of oil glands that lead to the formation of acne. To treat it in the most effective way, always ice compress – wrap ice in a gauze cloth or better use ice cold water soaked gauze to the skin. This helps improve the circulation as well as mechanically close the openings of the oil glands or pores.
While removing oil is one step, fighting acne causing bacteria is essential to break the cycle and prevent fresh appearance of acne. A cleansing Mousse has a three-way action that disrupts the bacterial bio film, cleanses pores and clears out excess sebum which helps reduce the recurrence of breakouts.
Make a micellar water cleansing a part of your cleansing routine. One of the most vital ingredients in Micellar water is micelles—minuscule concentrated molecules that are both water-loving and oil-loving. This implies that these micelles have the ability to gobble up grime and excess oil from the skin—ideal for anyone looking to embrace a makeup removing hero.
Wipe your face with your own personal soft cotton face towel or single use tissues to prevent infections which can further aggravate acne. Dab your skin and wipe it with care.
Wear sunscreen repeated at a gap of every 4 to 5hours. It is ideal if it is a full spectrum sunscreen with an spf of 30 and PA+++
If you have very oily skin, you can use besan as a natural exfoliant once a week to get rid of the dead skin. Always do a patch test behind your ear for at least 12 hours to ensure no irritation.
For good skin, you require a clean gut. Include juicy and antioxidant-rich fruits, increase vegetables and salads in your diet and take less oily, spicy and greasy food in this season. Drink water to keep your skin hydrated. Nimbu paani, egg whites, milk, buttermilk and curd must be included in your diet. Avoid too much caffeine and aerated drinks. Avoid sugar and dairy to keep acne at bay.
Lastly, do not let the fear of breakouts on your skin stop you from venturing out and enjoying the monsoons! Follow the tips to have great skin and thrive with beauty and good health this season. Do visit a dermatologist for additional help when needed.
