With the summer here and the humidity rising like there’s no tomorrow,—– rashes, pimples and acne tends to worsen due to increased temperature, an active outdoor lifestyle, high humidity which results in lingering sweat, dirt, and friction which increases sebum production leading to sharp skin eruptions that spread fast and form patches on skin. Internal body heat , bacterial infections, blocked sweat glands, diabetes, alcohol, bad hygiene etc accumulates toxins in body thereby clogging pores and causing small nodule which grows into a pimple menace . We often tend to increase the intake of more aerated drinks, alcoholic beverages, and snack foods during the summer months which clog pores . Summer is your skin’s worst enemy. especially for people with oily skin. Sweat and oil secretions increase and these are deposited on the skin. An oily and sweaty skin also attracts more dirt and pollutants. One of the effects of exposure to pollution is skin-congestion and this can lead to skin eruptions, like rashes, acne and pimples, even aggravating an acne condition. Oily skin and breakouts are common in summer.
There are a few ways to deal with that pesky summer breakout. Even if nothing else works, one of these definitely will. Cleansing is the keyword for healthy skin. Daily cleansing and skin care, with appropriate products, is the only way of protecting the skin from eruptions and oily-skin conditions. The pores must be kept free of hardened oil and the oiliness of the skin surface must also be reduced. If the skin is oily, an astringent toner should be used after cleansing. Wipe the face with it, using cotton wool. Some home ingredients can also be used. Rose water can be mixed with cucumber juice and applied on the face to reduce oiliness. Night-time cleansing is a must, to remove the pollutants that have been deposited on the skin during the day. If the skin is oily and prone to eruptions, avoid the use of oily creams and moisturizers. If there is dryness of the skin, it is usually a superficial dryness of the outermost layer. For this, mix one teaspoon each of honey and curd and apply daily, washing off with plain water after 20 minutes. Honey is a natural moisturizer and suits all skin types, including skin with acne. Curd softens the skin and restores the normal balance. It is also said to have a healing effect on acne.
Cleansing is the keyword for healthy skin. Daily cleansing and skin care, with appropriate products, is the only way of protecting the skin from eruptions and oily-skin conditions.
During summer, people tend to wash their face too often with soap and water. This actually destroys the normal acid-alkaline balance of the skin, since most soaps are alkaline in nature. If there is rash, pimples or acne, the face should be washed with a medicated soap, or medicated cleanser only twice a day, morning and night. You may wash the face several times a day with plenty of plain water. Fuller’s Earth (Multani Mitti) also helps to reduce oiliness and close the pores. Mix multani mitti with rose water into a paste and apply three times a week. Wash it off when it dries. Add 2 drops of Tea Tree Oil to two tablespoons of water or rose water. Apply this on rashy and eruptive conditions. Mix together one teaspoon cinnamon powder, half teaspoon methi seed powder and a few drops of honey. The mixture should be applied only on the acne eruptions and left on for a couple of hours, or even overnight. Simmer neem leaves in water. When it is cool, strain the water and make a paste of the leaves. Apply the paste on the face, or on areas with eruptions. Sandalwood paste can be applied on the pimples, acne and boils. If there is a rash, mix sandalwood paste with a little rose water and apply on the entire face. Wash it off with plain water after 20 minutes. Mix together one teaspoon cinnamon (dalchini) powder, half teaspoon methi seed powder, lemon juice and a few drops of honey. It should be a sticky paste. Apply it only on pimples, boils or acne and leave on for a couple of hours, or even overnight. Fuller’s Earth (Multani Mitti) also helps to reduce oiliness and close the pores. Mix multani mitti with rose water into a paste and apply three times a week. Wash it off when it dries.It is also important to make sure that the hair and scalp are kept scrupulously clean. If the scalp is oily, or if there is dandruff, it can lead to pimples and acne. Keep the hair away from the face while you sleep. Include fresh fruits, raw salads, sprouts, curd, in your daily diet and drink 6 to 8 glasses of water. Add the juice of a lemon to a glass of water and have it first thing in the morning.
(The author is a beauty expert of Int’l repute. Views are her own)
