Summer is a lovely season with flowering trees at their flamboyant best, birds in your bird bath and the summer breeze. But the rising mercury can be harsh on one's skin and even on health.
You need to understand the nature of your skin and work accordingly to keep it beautiful and glowing. The first and most essential mantra, experts say, is ‘moisturise'. This is the most important part of daily skin care. Your skin, which looked radiant through winter, suddenly looks dull, blemished and oily.
“This is because, in winter, your skin's natural oils solidify, whereas in summer they flow freely,” explains aromatherapist Dr. Blossom Kochhar. “Hence, most people need a lighter moisturiser in hot weather.” Although oil-free and water-based moisturisers are preferable, you need to understand your skin's needs. Just plain water may work for you. Well known expert Shahnaz Husain says that flower-based lotions like rose water or cucumber water (made by diluting cucumber juice with water) can be sprayed on the face to tone and refresh it. Cool them in the fridge before use.
Fight sun tan
Too much exposure to the sun causes the skin to burn and darken causing sun tan. To avoid excessive tanning, apply sunscreen before stepping out, say experts. This creates a protective layer, preventing the harmful ultraviolet rays from damaging the skin.
Shahnaz's cure for sunburn: Apply yogurt or buttermilk on the face and wash off after 20 minutes. Or crush sesame seeds (til) coarsely and soak in water overnight. Next morning strain the water and use the white liquid to wash the face. Soothes sun-burn and sun-damaged skin in summer.
The cleansing routine
Cleansing is essential. Forest Essentials offer delicate facial cleansers like Saffron and Neem, Mashobra Wild Honey and Rose Water that are balancing, nutritious, healing and totally free of toxic ingredients.
Shahnaz's Cleansing Papaya Mask: for all skin types. Just apply Papaya pulp on the skin like a mask and wash off after 20 minutes. Papaya contains enzymes that help soften and remove dead skin cells.
Fight acne and pimples
Excessive sweating and exposure to heat expands pores on the skin resulting in accumulation of. Wipe the face with cold rose water to avoid pimples and keep the skin clean.
Visit a parlour to clear out dead skin regularly. Or try various exfoliating scrubs available.
Blossom Kocchar's home-made scrub: Mix together Multani Mitti, Chana Ka Atta and Sandalwood powder in equal quantities. Store in an air tight container. Use a teaspoon of this scrub mixed to a paste with water. This rids the skin of flakes and dirt.
Keep skin cool
The skin needs to be kept cool otherwise it may break into rashes or pimples. Choose from various cooling packs comprising agents such as cucumber, rosewater, sandalwood, Fuller's Earth, camphor powder, neem leaves etc. Aloe Vera conditions and hydrates dry, rough and sun-exposed skin putting back into it what the sun takes out.
So there's no reason to be afraid of the sun.
Calamine Face Pack
By Blossom Kochhar
For acne, pimples and blemishes
Helps reduce excessive oil
Helps control pimples, acne and other blemishes
Helps brighten complexion
Method:Mix 2 teaspoons of egg white, 2 pods of crushed garlic and 1 teaspoon of calamine. Leave it on for 20 minutes then rinse off.
Skin Care Regime
Rohini Wadhwani
Cleansing:Those with dry skin should use a cream cleanser while those with oily skin should use a medicated cleanser with Salicylic acid to reduce breakouts. It is absolutely vital to determine your skin type before choosing a cleanser.
How to use a cleanser:Splash warm water on face to loosen dirt and clogged pores. Apply cleanser in a gentle circular motion or with gentle upwards strokes. Rinse thoroughly with cool water to close the pores. Never use very hot or very cold water. Never go to bed with make up on. Remember not to over-cleanse your skin.
Toning:Toners remove residual cleanser left on your skin. They close the pores and stimulate circulation. Again, use a toner formulated for your skin type. Wet cottonwool with toner and wipe with a gentle upward stroke.
Shahnaz Husain's Cooling Masks
For normal skin:Mix cucumber juice (or pulp) with two teaspoons powdered milk and one egg white in a blender. Apply on face and neck and rinse off after half an hour.
For Oily and Sensitive Skin:Take one tablespoon lemon juice and one tablespoon rose water. Add crushed mint leaves and let it stand for one hour. Strain and apply liquid on the face. Wash off after 20 minutes. Helps reduce grease, refreshes and cools.
Clay effect:Clays like Fuller's Earth also have a cooling effect. To reduce oiliness, mix one tablespoon Fuller's Earth with rose water. Apply on face and wash off after 15 to 20 minutes.
Sharmila Chand is a lifestyle and travel writer.
