Summer skincare guide to deal with the heatwave

Sunscreen is non-negotiable

As the mercury rises and it becomes hot enough to fry an egg by merely leaving it on your car’s dashboard, humans living in the sub-continent go into survival mode. Electricity bills soar, afternoon productivity plummets and our summer skincare routines need to be overhauled.

“There is a loss of water in the skin. Due to this, the skin goes through a dehydration shock,” explains cosmetologist Dr Prerna Taneja, CEO of Clinic Eximus. “When the water level in the skin reduces, it treats the loss as a threat because the cells of the skin cannot function optimally.”

Cue skin irritation, redness, itching, and rashes, exacerbated by excess sweating. Dr Rinky Kapoor, a cosmetic dermatologist and surgeon at The Esthetic Clinics, says that sweating (which is unavoidable to an extent), improper hygiene, overheating, and incorrect summer skincare can turn your skin into a full-on rage fest.

With the right balance of summer skincare products, minimal or multitasking makeup, and diet, you can navigate the heatwaves while continuing to glow like bioluminescent plankton on a Maldivian beach rather than shine like the budget costumes you wore in your school’s annual day performances.

A summer skincare guide to getting you through the heatwaves

Cooling face masks

There will be days when all you can think about is sticking your face in the freezer to cool it down. But save the ice cubes for your mandatory glass of Rooh Afza. “Applying an ice cube directly to your face can cause burns and burst capillaries. We do recommend a cool compress for inflammation, like painful cystic acne, but not the direct application of an ice cube,” says dermatologist Avantika Bakshi.

Try a gel-type face mask instead, which will have the same cooling and soothing effects on your skin. Look for ingredients that are calming, like aloe vera (pop this in the fridge for a few minutes before applying it for an extra zing), gotu kola, haldi extract and panthenol. If you’re trying to break up with ice, then shift over to a reusable gel face mask that you can keep in the freezer like an ice pack and then wrap around your face for an at-home spa day.

Gel creams

It’s time to say goodbye to your heavy creams – even if you have dry skin, it’s likely going to be too much for your skin to handle. Experts recommend layering a hydrating serum with lightweight moisturiser to get the hydration and moisture your skin needs. Most gel creams on the market come infused with a variation of hyaluronic acid in their formulations which makes them great multitasking products.

Multitasking toners

If you have oily skin or are someone who sweats a lot on their face, then your ideal summer skincare routine would include fewer products to layer. A multitasking toner can do just that. It can be a toner that hydrates your skin while fighting free radical damage with antioxidants. It can exfoliate your skin and calm inflammation with the addition of soothing ingredients like cica and green tea. Check the ingredient lists and find one that suits your skin’s needs.

Antioxidants

Cosmetic chemist Michelle Wong AKA Lab Muffin Beauty Science, says that one of the big reasons that UV rays are bad for the skin is that they generate free radicals. “They’re basically really reactive substances that smash into lots of different parts of your skin, causing generalised damage, sort of like a bull in a china shop.” Antioxidants like vitamin C or ascorbic acid (and its derivatives), vitamin E, resveratrol and niacinamide can absorb this damage.

Tag-team UV damage by powering up your sunscreen with an antioxidant serum.

Calming balms and lotions

Itching and redness are as much a part of summer as ice golas and banta soda. Taneja says that because of the loss of water in the skin, an allergic response is generated as a protective measure to save as much water as it can. Add UVA and UVB rays to this kerfuffle, and you’re left with itching skin, blotchy redness, and rashes. Clip those fingernails and resist the urge to scratch (we know it’s satisfying, but it’s only going to make matters worse.) Try one of these products instead.

Summer makeup

Makeup during the sweaty summers will have to be all about cutting down and a less-is-more approach. Think skin tints instead of heavy foundation, watery lip and cheek tints, or a multi-use stick that can be blush, a highlighter, and eyeshadow, while also giving you some skincare benefits.

If you’re a face sweater or have oily skin, opt for powder-based rather than cream products that will mattify your skin. Where cream products are likely to break up faster with sebum production and sweat, powder products can help your makeup last longer.

Summer skin diet

While it’s important to stay hydrated and replace the water your skin is losing, drinking lots of water will not be your key to getting clear skin.

“The gut-skin axis is well established. The saying ‘We are what we eat’ translates into food reactions and allergies, and how they’re connected to common skin conditions like acne, eczema, hair loss etc,” says Dr Sonali Kohli, an aesthetic integrative dermatologist and hair transplant surgeon at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital.

As the heat intensifies, it becomes essential to nourish our bodies with the right kind of foods that promote skin health and combat the effects of the scorching sun. Hydrating fruits and vegetables should take centre stage on our summer plates. These natural wonders are not only refreshing but also packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that promote healthy skin.

Juicy fruits like watermelon, berries, lychees, and citrus fruits are excellent choices as they provide a high water content to keep our skin hydrated. Leafy greens, cucumbers, carrots, spinach, beetroot, and tomatoes are also fantastic options as they not only provide hydration but are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that protect our skin from damage caused by harmful UV rays.

Incorporating these hydrating fruits and vegetables into our daily diet can contribute to a healthier complexion and a radiant summer glow. Embrace salads and smoothies, and your tired summer skin will glow with good health instead of sweat.