Monsoon Skin And Hair Care Tips

As the weather changes, so should your skin and hair care routine. Here are some tips to get you started the weather changes, so should your skin and hair care routine. Here are some tips to get you started

With the summer all but gone, you might be tempted to pack away the sunscreen and moisturisers and the daily skin care that you were following. Well, hold your horses. A change in weather does not mean you put do away with your skin and hair care routine, it just means that you will need to modify it to suit the weather! The change in weather has a direct impact on the skin, which makes a good maintenance regime very important.

Skin care tips
* Use a good soap-free cleanser. You could also use a gentle scrub (with uniform mild beads) once a day.
* Cleansing should be followed by toning using an alcohol-free toner, since increased humidity could open up your pores.
* Use a sunscreen even on a cloudy day. The clouds may obscure the sun, but the sun and its rays are still there.
* Use a light lotion-based moisturiser or serum, which will gently rehydrate your skin and also brighten it up
* Avoid heavy makeup and use waterproof make up when necessary
* Remember to nourish your skin from the inside, too – eat salads blanched in boiling water to disinfect them, vegetable soup, which will keep you warm and healthy and drink the usual 8-10 glasses of water. Your skin is always thirstier than you are!
Skin care regimen
* Cleansing: Your skin will require regular cleansing in order to keep it looking fresh and healthy. Avoid harsh soap products that strip the skin of protective oils. If you have dry skin, avoid deodorant or antibacterial soaps, since they might be drying the skin.
* Moisturising in the rains is as important as it is in summer. Monsoons can mean a de-moisturizing effect on dry skin and an over-hydrating effect on oily skin. The skin gets wet often and with the constant wetting and drying, a lot of dehydration (yes, in the rains!) takes place. That explains the itchy feeling one gets during monsoons. Use a non-water-based moisturiser, if you happen to get wet often. Otherwise a water-based moisturiser will do.
* For dull skin: Exfoliation of the skin is very important. This not only helps to keep the pores free of hardened oil, but also clears the skin of dead cells.

Foot care
Given the state of our cities, your feet will invariably be exposed to a lot of grime and muck, and so an effective cleansing of feet is very important as well.
* Dry your feet completely to prevent fungal infections
* Avoid wearing boots as these can hold water for a longer duration, creating a soggy environment for your feet.
* A home pedicure should be done once a week: Soak feet in warm water, which has 3-4 drops of an antiseptic agent (Savlon or Dettol) for 15-20 minutes. Follow this by cleaning your nails and scrubbing your feet with a foot scraper. Complete the pedicure by applying a light moisturiser
* When you go for pedicure to a beautician, ensure that the instruments used are sterilised / cleansed with disinfectants, or if possible use your personal instruments. Also instruct your aesthetician to avoid pushing the cuticles, as toenail fungal infections are very common in monsoons

Hair care
* Use a good ‘volume-enhancing’ shampoo, twice or thrice a week for washing your hair. It also helps since hair tends to go limp in this season
* Post-shampoo use a volumising conditioner, once a week or as required
* If you need to blow dry your hair, apply a leave-on conditioner prior to it
* Avoid excess application of styling products, as this could make your hair very greasy due to increased humidity
* Do not tie-up wet hair
* Oiling once a week helps
* Make sure your diet has these hair-friendly foods: milk and milk products, nuts, soya products

Skin Care Products For Oily Skin

Oily skin is especially difficult to control. Whether excess oil is caused from hormone fluctuations, heredity, or environmental factors, simply removing the layer of greasy residue on the top of skin will not solve the problem. Unfortunately, in the past many skincare companies used harsh chemicals to curb the skin’s oil production. Instead, these chemicals triggered the sebaceous glands to work overtime and produce even more oil. Now, reputable skincare companies like those featured on SkinBeautyMall.com have developed formulas that battle excess oil, while keeping the skin’s natural moisture balance.

Skincare companies are developing advanced treatments for oily skin more and more. Implementing ingredients like retinol and glycolic acid in products allows oily skin sufferers to get the maximum benefits. These ingredients will reduce the oil production in the sebaceous glands and will refine the skin’s texture. The overall health of the skin can be boosted by using products with AHAs and retinols.

Other companies have found that potent natural ingredients have just as much effectiveness without the risk for harsh side effects. Tea tree oil, witch hazel, chamomile, and even natural clay are being used to reach deep within the pores to curb oil production. But, these ingredients have the ability to calm and soothe the skin as well. So, individuals will not be left with extra tight, itchy skin. Also, many of the vitamins and minerals used in today’s oily skincare products rebuild the skin from the inside out and nourish the skin for improved overall skin health.

Though many people believe that a moisturizer will only make skin oilier, those with oily skin should use a proper moisturizer and apply sun protection. Moisturizers made specifically for oily skin will not leave behind a greasy residue and will instead inhibit the sebaceous glands from overproducing. Many oily skin moisturizers will contain an SPF so that another product need not be applied to the skin.

Acne Skin Care Methods

Acne is an inflammatory skin disease that affects millions of individuals. The most universal type of acne is known as “common acne”. Acne is caused when too many oils are secreted from the glands and those oils mix with dead skin cells, blocking the hair follicles. More oil secretions increase underneath the already blocked follicles (or pores), and skin bacteria begin to grow rapidly. This leads to red and irritated skin that most often appears as bumps on the skin’s surface. Any skin surface of the body is susceptible to acne, but it most commonly (and heavily) appears on the face, chest, back, and upper arm region. Acne commonly begins to occur during puberty due to an irregular response by the body to regular levels of testosterone, a male hormone. Often, acne begins to subside or disappear altogether by the mid 20′s. However, some individuals do suffer with it throughout adulthood. And some adults do not even see the onset of acne until well into the adult years. This is known as adult onset acne. Acne can leave scarring on the skin, as well as have a scarring effect on a person’s self-esteem, and even lead to depression. Because society can be so unforgiving about appearances, there are various medically prescribed treatments available, as well as acne skin care regimens that can be utilized in order to minimize the symptoms of acne.

Different things cause acne for different sufferers. A few of the recognized causes of acne include heredity, hormonal activity (puberty, menstruation, pregnancy), stress, certain medications, and skin irritation. All of these things have the potential to cause acne, as well as exacerbate it. There are a few myths regarding acne. For instance we’ve all heard of a mom telling her child not to eat too many greasy foods like French fries, or eat too many sweets, because it will give him or her pimples. That is simply an old wives’ tale. Diet does not cause acne, and does not affect it. Also, poor hygiene has no bearing on the occurrence of acne. Acne is not caused by dirt, and having poor hygiene habits will not aggravate the condition. There are many treatments for acne available, both through prescription, and over the counter. There are antibiotics in the form of pills, as well as topical creams that are designed to treat the condition. Exfoliation can be used as a treatment to remove and prevent the build up of dead skin cells. And light therapy is being used more and more to treat acne. It is important to consult a dermatologist in order to determine the best course of treatment and learn the best regimen of acne skin care to carry out.

Dealing with the occurrence of acne requires knowing how to properly care for the skin. Acne skin care can help keep the problem from getting worse, and even alleviate it. It is important to gently wash the skin at least twice a day with a gentle skin cleanser. Do not scrub with a rough pad or use a rough soap. This will make the acne problem worse. And always completely rinse the skin after cleansing. As part of an acne skin care routine, it is important to remember not to touch the afflicted skin areas. Do not try to squeeze acne. An infection could occur, compounding the problem, and scarring could result. Also, avoid the sun when possible. Wear protective clothing to avoid tanning or burning. The skin will age faster, and any fading effect of the acne is temporary and will become visible again when the burn or tan fades. When using cosmetics, take care to use oil-free products, and products that are non-comedogenic (won’t clog the pores). And for men who shave their faces, it is important to shave very carefully. Shave with a light hand to avoid cutting or nicking the blemishes. If these steps in acne skin care are taken, the pain and embarrassment of the problem can be alleviated, and over time, eliminated completely.