JOIN USMonsoons are here and so is high humidity. A problem for many, such weather conditions can take a toll on many with oily or combination skin types. Rashes, eruptions, open pores and dull skin are some of the many problems that accompany the rains.
Oily skin looks even more oily and dull due to sweat and oil secretions. Impurities and pollutants also adhere to the skin. It is vital for one to cleanse and refresh the skin during such times. If the problem is severe, one needs to go in for deep pore cleansing with scrubs to help prevent clogging and blackheads. Toning also helps to close the pores.
If you want to keep your skin clean and clear, there are a variety of things to do. For starters, use a facial scrub twice a week. Apply it on the face and rub gently on the skin, using a circular motion. Then, rinse off with plenty of plain water. If you aren’t a fan of chemical facial scrubs, make one right at home by mixing rice flour or ground almonds with curd. But if you have skin which is sensitive and acne prone, avoid scrubs. For blackheads, mix oats with egg white and apply on the areas twice a week. Wash it off when dry.
A flower-based skin tonic or freshener is a boon in the humid weather. Rose water is a natural toner. So, keep rose-based skin tonic or rose water, in the fridge, with cotton wool pads soaked in. Wipe the face with it to cleanse and refresh the skin. Carry moist tissues when you are out during the day. After wiping the face with wet tissue, use compact powder as it helps to refresh the skin and remove the oily look.
If there are rashes, pimples or acne, wash the face with a medicated soap or cleanser twice a day. Buy an astringent lotion and mix it with rose water in equal quantities and wipe the face with it, using cotton wool, several times a day. Apply sandalwood paste on eruptions. For normal to oily skin, use a face wash containing ingredients like neem and tulsi. For dry skin, use a cleansing gel. Night time cleansing is also a must so as to remove the impurities that have collected on the skin during the day.
During the monsoons, the body loses fluids through sweat. Remember to drink more fluids to keep the system flushed. Indulge in plenty of nimbu paani and fresh fruit juices, apart from plenty of water. Include salads, fruits, sprouts and yoghurt in your daily diet. To help you get started, here are some natural home remedies that promise to take care of your precious skin this season:
Oily or combination skin
Mix besan and curd into a paste and apply on the face. Wash it off after 20 minutes. You can also add dried and powdered mint (pudina) leaves to the pack.
Take rose water and cucumber juice in equal quantities and apply on the skin. Rinse off with water after 20 minutes.
Normal skin
Mix ground almonds with curd.
Apply on the face. After 15 minutes, moisten with water and rub gently with circular movements. Wash it off with water.
Mix together two teaspoons honey, a little milk and rose water, dried and powdered lemon peels into a paste. Apply two or three times a week on face and neck. Wash it off after 20 minutes.
Dry skin
Take two tablespoons of almond meal and one tablespoon honey. Apply on the face and leave on for five minutes. Rub gently on the skin and wash off with water.
Mix together three teaspoons wheat bran (choker), one teaspoon almond meal and an egg yolk with one teaspoon each of honey and curd into a thick paste. Apply on the face once or twice a week and wash it off after half an hour.
Acne-prone skin
Cleanse with medicated cleanser or face wash. Apply sandalwood paste on eruptions. Or mix sandalwood with a little rose water and apply on the entire face. Wash off with plain water after 20 to 30 minutes.
Take a handful of neem leaves and simmer on very low fire in four cups of water for one hour. Leave overnight. Next morning, strain and use the water to wash the face. Make
a paste of the strained leaves and apply on the face.
(The author is a beauty expert)