Skincare In Summer As Per Your Skin Type

With the rising temperatures in summer, you will notice that your skin requires much care and attention from the searing heat and humidity. Changing your skincare regime for the summer is absolutely required to safeguard your skin from sun damage, acne breakout, rashes, congestion, heat, sweat, etc.

Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor at Vedix, says, “As per Ayurvedic wisdom, the simplest way to prevent diseases is to adopt a healthy daily routine in accordance with the season. This is called Ritu charya.”

Read on to know how summer affects your skin, and how you can take care of your skin with natural and home remedies along with Ayurvedic summer skin care tips.

What Does Summer Do To Your Skin?

The hot and humid weather in summer increases moisture loss from your body, which causes dehydration. This may finally cause your skin to feel dry, inflamed, and irritated. Hence, it is imperative to stay hydrated to keep the moisture level normal during summer.

The searing heat also leads to excessive sweating, sebum production [1], and skin cell regeneration. In oily skin type, when the excess sweat and sebum combine with accumulated dead skin cells, it gives rise to pimples, blackheads, and acne breakouts.

It is a well-known fact that prolonged exposure to sun may affect the moisture barrier of your skin. This leads to dry skin condition, reduced elasticity, and premature signs of aging. It is not necessary to feel the intense heat in your skin to observe the damaging effects of sunlight, as UV A and B rays can easily affect your skin.

How To Care For Skin In Summer?

Irrespective of your skin type, you may have to switch your skincare regime to adapt to the heat and humidity of summer. While you remain unaware of its effects, the heat in summer may adversely impact your skin.

Keep your skin safe, happy, and healthy this summer by following the below mentioned skincare tips for dry and oily skin type.

A. Summer Skincare For Oily Skin

Following are a few simple yet effective skincare tips for oily skin which you may introduce in your daily skincare regime:

1. Lukewarm Water For Cleansing

Try using lukewarm water for cleansing your face, as it helps dissolve excessive sebum more thoroughly than normal water. Slightly warm water helps in eliminating the impurities and debris which have accumulated in the upper layer of the skin and opening the clogged skin pores.

2. Regular Cleansing

In order to get clear and blemish-free skin during summer, you should regularly wash your face. Cleansing your face at least twice a day helps to remove the excess oil and dirt. However, don’t cleanse more than 3-4 times, as it may leave your skin dry and stretched, which stimulates overproduction of sebum in the skin.

3. Use A Gel-Based Facial Foam/Cleanser

Try using a gel-based facial foam or cleanser with active ingredients like glycolic acid, citric acid, and salicylic acid. These active ingredients help in removing dead skin cells which accumulate in the skin pores, causing acne breakout.

4. Avoid Over Exfoliation

Avoid excessively scrubbing your face. To remove blackheads and dead skin cells, you may exfoliate your skin at least twice a week. Your skin secretes sebum and natural oils to fight skin irritations, keep it soft and supple, and retain moisture. Excessive exfoliation and scrubbing strips away the moisture and natural oils from your skin, leaving it dry.

5. Apply A Natural Facial Mask

A must-do skin care tip for oily skin is the regular use of natural facial masks which remove impurities and excess natural oils from your skin. You may use a natural facial mask prepared from sandalwood [2] or multani mitti (fuller earth) twice a week to remove impurities, absorb excess sebum, and calm the skin.

6. Go Low On Makeup

With the onset of summer, try and avoid using too many makeup products. Switch your heavy-base foundation with a tinted, light-based moisturizing serum containing silicone which doesn’t clog the skin pores. Additionally, it helps create a shield between the heat and skin.

7. Stop Touching Your Face

Control the frequent urge to touch your face with your fingertips. This movement adds germs, impurities, and excess oil to your skin, making it susceptible to acne breakouts.

8. Keep Your Hair & Scalp Clean

Your hair and scalp also tend to secrete excessive natural oils during summer. Hence, keep your hair away from your face by tying it in a ponytail, braid, or knot. Additionally, you may use a few home remedies to control and manage the excessive oil secretion in your scalp.

9. Use A Toner

A facial toner is a definitive must-have in your summer skincare routine. You may use a facial toner to clean and tone the oil-prone skin in your face such as your forehead, chin, and nose. Additionally, the astringent activity of the facial toner cools and soothes your skin. It also helps in shrinking stretched pores, which help regulate the sebum production.

10. Use A Gentle Tissue

If your skin tends to become too oily and sticky in between your cleansing activity, then you may consider using a gentle, herbal tissue or medicated pad to clean your face. This will help you get freshened up in seconds. It also prevents acne breakouts in the skin.

B. Summer Skincare For Dry Skin

Here are a few easy and beneficial skin care tips for dry skin which you may include in your regular skincare routine.

1. Avoid Taking A Hot Shower & Bath

Definitely, a hot shower or bath may feel rejuvenating and refreshing after a long, hard day. However, it is not recommended for your dry skin condition. This is because hot water temperature may strip away the natural oils from your skin, making it more dry, flaky, and itchy. You may switch it with lukewarm water. This will not leave your skin dry and stretched.

2. Use Micellar Water For Cleansing

You may use micellar water for cleansing your face. It doesn’t require rinsing your face after application. The facial cleanser is enriched with small micellar structures, which are oil molecules. These work as a powerful magnet to absorb makeup residue, sebum, and impurities from your skin. Additionally, it also helps in soothing and hydrating your dry skin.

3. Don’t Skip Your Moisturizer

After cleansing your face, always apply a moisturizer suitable for your dry skin condition. While you may require to use a heavy, creamy moisturizer in the winter to keep your skin hydrated and nourished, you may use a lightweight formulation during the summertime.

A water-based, mild moisturizer with active ingredients like aloe vera and hyaluronic acid will provide your skin with intense hydration without clogging the skin pores.

4. Apply A Facial Mask

You may use a facial mask for gently cleansing your skin. You may opt for clay or aloe vera based facial mask twice a week. Cleanse your face before applying a thin, even layer of mask onto your face. Leave it for around 15-20 minutes followed by rinsing off with normal water for best results.

5. Exfoliate Your Face

When your dry skin appears dull and lifeless, then gently exfoliate your face with a mild scrub which will help remove the accumulated buildup. Remember to exfoliate at least twice a week for clean and healthy skin.

6. Always Ensure Sun Protection

Even though you should protect your skin from sun damage throughout the year, it is imperative to make it your topmost skincare priority during the summer. It is advisable to wear a broad-based sunscreen with SPF 30 or above every day. Additionally, it is important to take a few more protective measures apart from applying sunscreen.

Dermatologists suggest reapplication of your sunscreen immediately after sweating or swimming, or after every two hours. Also, avoid exposing yourself to direct sunlight in the morning and afternoon hours. Always wear long-sleeved soft fabric such as cotton or muslin, sunglasses, wide-brimmed hat, and carry an umbrella.

7. Use A Humidifier

A humidifier may help add moisture to the surrounding air in your home, which benefits your dry skin condition. This can be especially beneficial in the winter, when the outside weather is dry and harsh. However, using a humidifier in the summer also helps as you may be using an air conditioner at home which reduces the moisture content in the air.

8. Always Carry A Facial Mist

It is advisable to always keep a refreshing and gentle face mist with yourself while travelling in summer. Apart from making you feel instantly refreshed and awake, it also helps to retain the moisture level in your skin.

C. Natural Ways For Skincare

With warm and humid climatic conditions, it becomes necessary to change and adapt your daily skincare routine. Here is a natural and simple skincare routine for summer to take care of your skin:

1. Begin with a mild, herbal foaming face wash. Apply and gently scrub your face for a minute. Using a natural facial mist like aloe vera water in between every step helps keep your skin supple and plump.

2. After spraying the facial mist, use a mild toner to prepare your skin for the following steps in the routine. Apply a layer of the toner on your face using a cotton ball followed by a spritz of facial mist. This step is best suited for people with combination and oily skin types.

3. Use a mild, herbal eye cream to hydrate, de-puff, and protect the vulnerable under-eye area.

4. After the under-eye application, use a facial serum on your skin. It helps you attain the perfect glow without greasing your skin in the summer.

5. Apply a moisturizer based on your skin type. It should be lightweight and non-greasy.

6. If you want to show some more love to your skin, apply a facial mask overnight. This will help to nourish your skin from deep within as well as refine the skin pores. Overnight facial masks are enriched with mild exfoliants which help remove dead skin cells. Ideally, apply the facial mask right before you go to sleep at night.

D. Home Remedies For Skincare

Are you wary of using any over-the-counter facial creams, ointments, and cleansers which claim to clear your skin and prevent acne breakout, but don’t deliver the promised results? Instead of harsh, chemical-laden skincare products, opt for natural and effective home remedies. These will help you attain clear, healthy, and blemish-free skin.

1. Aloe Vera & Oatmeal Scrub

Aloe vera has been extensively used in traditional and ayurvedic treatments for its restorative and medicinal properties [3]. It has a potent natural molecule called salicylic acid which has analgesic, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

All these powerful properties help regulate sebum production in oily skin and deeply moisturize dry skin conditions. Its anti-inflammatory property helps in preventing sun damage and treating various skin concerns. This is a well-known home remedy for oily skin which helps naturally remove dead skin cells.

How To Use:

• Take a few dry oats and blend it with freshly extracted, pure aloe vera gel.
• Apply the scrub onto your face and neck.
• Gently massage the scrub with your fingertips for at least 5-7 minutes.
• Leave it for 15-20 minutes before rinsing it off with normal water.
• Repeat the steps once a week to get better results.

2. Oats, Milk & Banana Scrub

Banana is a powerhouse of essential nutrients such as potassium and Vitamins A, B, and E. These naturally hydrate and moisturize the skin cells without causing any greasy and oily texture.

Milk is a well-known natural moisturizing agent which deeply cleanses and nourishes your skin. Oats act as a natural exfoliant which removes whiteheads, blackheads, and dead skin cells from the skin [4].

How To Use:

• Mash one overripe banana and two tbsp of granulated oats and one tbsp of milk.
• Mix all the ingredients properly and apply the mix onto your clean face and neck.
• Gently massage your face in circular motions for 3-5 minutes.
• Leave it for 15-20 minutes before rinsing it off with normal water.
• Repeat the steps thrice a week for better results.

3. Honey, Lemon & Banana Face Pack

Honey is a natural humectant which treats and nourishes your skin. It has been popularly used in traditional and ayurvedic medicine to treat several skin concerns [5].

Lemon juice helps in regulating the production of natural oils in the skin. It also acts as a natural cleanser which helps in brightening up your skin complexion along with removing blackheads and age spots.

How To Use:

• Blend one overripe banana with one tsp of freshly squeezed lemon juice and one tbsp of pure honey.
• Apply the facial mask on your face and neck.
• Leave it for 15-20 minutes and take off the pack with a hot washcloth.
• Rinse your face with normal water.
• Repeat the steps twice a week for better results.

E. What To Wear?

• Always wear a wide-brimmed hat as it protects your ears and scalp from the harsh UV A and B rays. Baseball and skull caps will not be effective as your ears remain exposed to the sunlight.
• Fabrics made of satin, thin silk material, high-luster polyesters, and unbleached, soft cotton are the best reflectors or absorbers of UVA and B rays. It helps block the harsh ultraviolet rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
• Dark-colored fabrics usually help absorb the UV A and B rays. This helps in keeping the harsh rays away from your skin.
• Fabrics with tight knits or weaves also help in blocking the adverse ultraviolet rays from affecting your skin.

F. What To Eat?

• Your daily diet and eating habits play a major role in the appearance and health of your skin.
• If you wish to flaunt a healthy, radiant, and glowing skin in the summer, then it is imperative to follow a healthy, natural, and nutritious diet.
• Consume seasonal, juicy, and fibrous fruits in summer as they help retain the moisture and hydration level in your skin.
• It is advisable to include Vitamin C enriched foods, cooling and soothing foods, and fresh greens in your daily diet during summer to keep up your energy levels.
• Include nuts, smoothies, salads, cereals, and light lentils as these are highly nutritive and wholesome. These foods help lower your body temperature, provide you stamina, and improve your immunity.

Ayurvedic Skin Care Tips In Summer

As per the ancient and holistic Ayurvedic science, every human being’s unique prakriti has the three doshas namely kapha, pitta, and vata. Kapha signifies earth and water elements, pitta signifies water and fire elements, while vata signifies space and air elements.

The three doshas primarily influence all the seasons in a year. Pitta governs the hot and humid summer season. In the summertime, even if you don’t have excessive pitta in your system, you may have to take adequate measures to calm the dosha to stay balanced and healthy. Apart from ensuring overall good health, it also helps improve your hair and skin condition.

Here are a few simple yet effective ayurvedic tips to keep your skin healthy, radiant, and clear this summer:

1. Drink Adequate Water & Herb-Infused Drinks

Drink an adequate amount of water daily. This will help replenish the loss of moisture through sweating and heat as well as eliminate the accumulated ama (toxins) from your body, making your skin lustrous, clear, and beautiful.

• Spice or herb-based teas which are prepared from skin-benefitting ingredients help you with therapeutic benefits.
• To calm an aggravated pitta, you may opt for cooling spices and herbs like fennel [6], cardamom, and mint.
• Avoid drinking iced and chilled beverages as they adversely affect your digestion, which may cause toxin accumulation, leading to acne and pimple formation.
• Drinking adequate amounts of normal water, fresh sugarcane juice, salted buttermilk, and several seasonal, fresh fruit juices helps cool and soothe your body as well as nourish and moisturize your scalp and skin.
• Kokum-infused drinks are excellent for summer as they help calm and soothe an aggravated pitta dosha.

2. Follow A Natural, Fresh & Nutrition-Rich Diet

Try and consume pitta-pacifying herbs, vegetables, and fruits. These healthy foods help deliver essential nutrients to your skin as well as provide protection from free-radicals due to their antioxidant properties. Additionally, they calm and soothe your skin.

• Leafy greens, asparagus, celery, zucchini, lettuce, and carrots are excellent vegetable options to calm pitta dosha.
• Juicy, seasonal, and wholesome fruits such as mangoes, watermelon, grapes, and pears both cleanse and nourish your skin.
• Basil, mint, cilantro, and fresh ginger help enhance aroma and flavor in your cooking without affecting pitta dosha.

3. Avoid Spicy, Processed & Sour Foods

The astringent, bitter, and sweet tastes help pacify and balance an aggravated pitta dosha, whereas the salty, pungent, and sour tastes anger the dosha. Hence, try and avoid sour or spicy foods in the summertime. This will help prevent and protect your skin from inflammation, acne breakouts, and various other skin concerns.

4. Drink Milk For Glowing Skin

Milk is a natural cooling and soothing drink which helps pacify an aggravated pitta dosha. Additionally, it also transports essential nutrients to your skin and deeply nourishes it, making your skin soft, supple, and healthy.

• Drink one cup of fresh milk daily for soft skin.
• You may also mix natural ingredients like rose water and almond meal with milk to prepare a skin cleanser for balancing pitta dosha.

5. Practice Yoga & Meditation To Keep Stress Away

Your pitta dosha oversees your emotions and heart. Whenever you feel frustrated, angry, or stressed, your skin begins to reflect it as acne breakouts, fine lines, and furrows.

• It is imperative to practice meditation and soothing yoga asanas to stay calm and alleviate stress from your mind and body.
• You may calm your aggravated pitta dosha by using essential oils like lavender, sandalwood, and rose to keep your heart and mind in harmony.
• Go for a long walk in the park or beach for mental and physical relaxation.

6. Cleanse Your Face With Natural Ingredients

Sunlight may overstimulate the production of sebum in your skin. This may make your skin appear oily and greasy. When this excess sebum combines with sweat and impurities, it clogs the skin pores. It is important to be disciplined about your cleansing activity twice a day.

• Try and opt for a mild, herbal facial cleanser which will help deep cleanse your skin without causing dryness.
• An excellent cleansing formulation for normal and dry skin can be prepared with rosewater, milk, oatmeal, and almond meal.
• A cleansing formulation for oily skin can be prepared with oatmeal or chickpea flour combined with a little neem powder, lemon, and yogurt.
• If you use a facial toner, then choose a non-alcoholic toner as it won’t dry your skin.

7. Use A Herbal Moisturizer

Use an herbal moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and nourished.

• Search for ayurvedic preparations which have skin-benefitting herbs like aloe vera, amla, brahmi, turmeric, and sandalwood.
• Treat your skin with a vegetable or fruit based facial mask at least once a week as per your skin type. Papayas, apricots, avocados, and cucumbers are excellent natural ingredients.
• Blend the vegetable puree or fruit pulp with some rosewater (dry skin type) or lemon juice (oily skin type) oatmeal, honey, and yogurt. Apply the face mask evenly onto your face and neck. Leave it for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.

8. Avoid Sun Exposure

Avoid stepping outside during the peak hours of the day which is between 10 AM to 4 PM.

• If you love working out or walking outside in the park, then complete your exercise in the early morning hours.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, lip protection, and sunscreen before going out in the sun as sun damage may cause premature aging of your skin.
• A thin facial mask of rosewater and red sandalwood may calm your skin and prevent sun damage. Apply it twice a week for best results.

9. Take Care Of Your Eyes & Feet

Your eyes and feet also require care and attention during summer.

• Every evening, rinse your eyes with splashes of cool and clean water.
• If you need to relax your strained eyes, then soak one or two cotton balls in rose water or cold water and keep them over your eyelids for at least 5-10 minutes.
• Keep your feet clean, dry, and cool during summer to avoid any foot infections. Wear open-toe sandals whenever you can as it prevents odor and airs your feet.

Vedix Tip: Try and start practicing oil pulling every day in the morning.

Oil pulling with coconut or sesame oil is not only a trending practice today which maintains good oral health, but also improves your overall well-being (as healthy and clean gums are interlinked with a healthy heart). Additionally, it helps in detoxification and rejuvenation of your body.

What Should I Apply On The Face In Summer?

Keep your skincare routine hassle-free and uncomplicated. Follow a natural, fresh, and healthy diet enriched with vitamins and minerals. Scrub your face twice or thrice a week and drink adequate amounts of water.

You may also apply a body scrub to remove dead skin cells which accumulate in the uppermost layer of the skin, forming a thin, white coating. Do this once a week for clean skin. Apply a mild, herbal, and hydrating cream or lotion after cleansing your face and before sleeping in the night.

Why Does My Skin Complexion Change With The Seasons?

Weather and climatic conditions have a huge impact on your skin appearance and health.

The winter season is highlighted with cold, harsh, and dry winds which irritate and dry up the vulnerable skin on your hands and face.

The dry condition in winters strips away the natural oils and moisture levels of your skin. This extreme dryness may cause red patches on your skin and accumulated dead skin cells tend to block the skin pores, leading to acne breakouts. Many dermatologists believe that winter wreaks havoc on people with acne-prone skin.

For many individuals, the summer season brings a hope of clear, glowing, and beautiful skin. The humidity and heat help soften the skin texture and retain the moisture level. Some individuals think that their glowing complexion is due to the exposure to sunlight in summer.

On the contrary, dermatologists suggest their patients who take medications for acne to avoid direct sunlight. This is due to the fact that acne medications enhance your sensitivity to UV A and B rays, which may cause skin cancer.

The Last Word

Caring for your skin in summer, can keep skin woes at bay. Stick to your skincare and beauty routine which works best for your skin type. Avoid meddling with your skincare regime by introducing new products which you have never used before. Ensure that you cleanse, tone, and moisturize your skin every day. Follow a nutritious and healthy diet along with regular exercise, yoga, and mediation to maintain your skin’s natural beauty, texture, and health.

Know Your Dosha Now