Hot chai's and coffees are being replaced by cold coffees, nimbu-sodas. Be it morning or night, you often rai your fridge and look for ice cream and get irritated the moment your fan gets off or your AC/coolers breaks down. You have packed your boots and cotton has become your go-to fabric.

Yes, summers are finally here!

And they can be cruel to your skin. With the blazing sun and the rising humidity, your skin is vulnerable to a lot of problems. This happens because the high temperature increases the activity of the sebaceous glands. This makes the oily skin oilier and the dry skin rough and patchy. The harmful UV rays accelerate some of the common signs of ageing like wrinkles, sagging skin, and fine lines and increase the production of melanin pigments and cause tanning. The heat can also cause more pores to open, which can get clogged with dirt and oil, trapping bacteria, causing acne, pimples, and blemishes.

Sounds bad, right?

Well, worry not as we introduce you to some basic (but superbly important) ways to take care of your skin:

Double up the cleansing

Sweat & oil are two things that you cannot escape during summers. While heat forces your skin to produce excess oil, sweat only makes it worse. And unfortunately, thanks to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, we now have to even wear masks that make our faces sweatier. So, the first skincare step should be cleansing your face twice daily. Once when you wake up and once before you sleep. This will help your skin stay fresh and breathe.

Add a punch of antioxidants

Invest in skincare products like face serums, moisturizers and face masks that come with a hint of antioxidants. Creams and serums loaded with antioxidants and natural extracts help in reducing inflammation. They eat up the free radicals on your skin and help in reducing the skin damage that has happened in the past. You can go for Vit C infused anti ageing face serum or go for a serum for acne prone skin that has antioxidants.

Add seasonal fruits and vegetables to your diet

While applying antioxidants is great, it might not be enough! In order to get radiant skin, you need to nourish it from the inside. Eating healthy and hydrating food that contains essential vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants will boost collagen production, reduce inflammation and protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun.

Stay away from sugary drinks

We all love sipping down some cold drinks during summers! But they are not only unhealthy and aid in weight gain, they are also bad for your skin! Sugary drinks make you feel sluggish and have no hydrating qualities. So replace them with refreshing nimbu pani or aam panna!

Make SPF your bff!

This is something you must have heard again and again - SPF should be a staple in your summer skincare routine! It doesn’t matter what type of skin type you have; you must wear sunscreen with an SPF value of at least 15 every day! You should opt for a higher SPF value sunscreen on days where you have more exposure to the sun. You must reapply your sunscreen at least every two hours. If possible, protect your skin from the harmful UV rays by avoiding going out in the sun during peak hours; wear shades or hats. This will not only protect you from sun, but you will also look stylish!

Go easy on the makeup

Your skin needs to breathe, especially when the weather is super hot and humid. So when it comes to applying makeup during summers, go minimal! Apply foundation when you absolutely cannot do without it! Go for a tinted moisturizer with SPF and layer it with face powder.

Drink (loads of) water

Keeping your body cool is critical during summers. As you may find yourself sweating to keep your body cool, you need to balance the loss of bodily fluids. And what’s a better way of doing that than drinking water? Water not only improves the elasticity of your skin but also gives it a hydrated appearance. So, make it a priority to drink water every hour and never leave your house without a water bottle. You can also include coconut water in your every day diet.

Additionally, wear breathable fabrics like cotton as they will make you sweat less and will be comfortable. Consider taking a shower twice a day if it suits you!

In the end, we would like to say that summer is an enjoyable time, but it is crucial that you prepare and take care of your skin. Don’t let your busy schedules take a toll on your skin! Always remove your makeup before going to bed and remember to exfoliate for glowing skin! Finally, make the best of the summer and rejuvenate your skin with healthy and juicy drinks!