First, why does acne flare up in monsoons?
When there’s heat and humidity, our body copes by producing excess sweat and sebum. This excess sebum secretion makes it easier for dust, pollution and grime to accumulate on our skin and clog pores. If that wasn’t enough, this excess sebum and moisture content creates an environment for acne-causing bacteria to thrive.
What you should do:
- Rely on a non-foaming gentle cleanser that unclogs your pores without overly stripping the sebum. Foaming face cleansers are typically made with harsh cleansing agents that not only absorb pollutants, grime and dust but a bit too much sebum. This can cause your skin to further stress out and secrete even more sebum!
- Rely on light, skin barrier supporting moisturizers. Our skin isn’t exactly a sponge, but a barrier that keeps every other organ protected from the outside world. However, when exposed to so many environmental stressors, the barrier can weaken and cause a myriad of problems. Choose a lightweight moisturizer that supports and strengthens your skin barrier against environmental stressors.
What you shouldn’t do:
- Don’t skip the sunscreen (ever): The sun might be less harsh but exposure to UV rays is still very much a threat to your skin’s vitality. Apply and reapply sunscreen every few hours to make sure you’re shielded from the sun.
- Don’t use heavy make-up products: Go for lightweight products that don’t clog your already clogged pores. And queen, let’s not forget to cleanse before sleepy time.
Ingredients that are a must:
- Bakuchiol: is often compared to retinol because its benefits are similar to that of retinol while also being a much more stable compound. native to India, it fights oxidative stress and clarifies skin tone.
- Niacinamide: fights the visible signs of aging caused by pollution and blue light exposure. it promises a more even skin tone and reduces the appearance of enlarged pores.
- Any Antioxidant: to help your skin neutralize free radicals and cope with oxidative stress
