From apple cider vinegar to sandalwood, what's your summer skin care routine? 

As the temperature soars and the weather gets absolutely unbearable, it's our skin and hair that takes the fall. After much pondering and reading, we wonder what skincare routine for the summer one must follow. Sure, a trip to the parlour for that anti tan facial or an olive oil hair spa would do you good. But are you looking for something you can sit in your own cool house and do? Prickly heat, Acne, Oily and sticky skin, Uneven skin tone, Sun allergies, Tanning, Sunburn, Folliculitis, Fungal infections are just some of the problems we face during this weather. The global mantra is to hydrate your body and skin. Drink lots of water. Juices and soft drinks don’t compensate for water. Carry a bottle of mineral water with you wherever you go and take a sip every few minutes.  Drinking water also helps in case of sunburns because it cools the body from inside.

Home Remedies:

• Make a paste of chickpea flour and rosewater and apply on skin. Leave for 15 minutes and wash with cold water to cool the skin.
• Apply  yogurt on rashes
• Multani Mitti or Fullers earth is excellent to absorb oil and remove impurities from face. Mix with apple cider vinegar and apply on face.
• Add a few drops of lavender oil in your bathing water to ease the heat rashes.
• Do not buy products that contain alcohol
• Apply cool milk and cucumber to the skin to treat sunburn.

Prickly heat: (Ghamori)

Itchy rash in covered body parts due to blockage of sweat glands

Prevention and Treatment:

• Keep cool with a fan, or air-conditioning.
• Wear loose cotton clothing.
• Calamine lotion, prickly heat powders give relief.
• Multani mitti, sandalwood or neem paste helps.
  • Drink enough water and avoid cold drinks 
    
    2) Pimples and oily skin:

Sebum and dirt block the pores causing pimples.

Prevention and treatment:

• Wash face using an anti acne face wash with salicylic acid, tea tree oil, neem.
• Remove make up thoroughly before bedtime.
• Cut down on sugared and processed dairy food.
• Oil blotting sheets and anti acne masks like black mud face packs help.

3) Sun tan, sunburn and pigmentation:

Strong sun exposure can cause redness, peeling, sunburn, and   pigmentation.

Prevention and treatment:

• Apply a broad spectrum UVA/B and C blocking water and sweat resistant sunscreen spf 30 +.
• Use umbrellas, long sleeved cotton clothing etc for sun protection.
• Oral antioxidants like Vitamin C will help.
• Laser skin rejuvenation, chemical peels or Microdermabrasion can be done for pigment problems.

4) Bacterial and fungal skin infections:

Bacterial infections like boils and fungal infections of the body folds are common.

Prevention and treatment:

• Use loose clothes.
• Take a shower with antibacterial soap.
• Use anti fungal powders in the body folds.
• Treat all infected contacts.

6. Unmanageable hair:

In heat, hair becomes static, dry, brittle and frizzy as the humidity and heat damages the cuticle (outer layer) of your hair. Your scalp tends to get more sticky because of excessive sweating.

Prevention and treatment:

• Wash your hair 2-3 times a week. Use a mild shampoo and conditioner. Use anti-dandruff shampoo once a week if you are prone to dandruff. Leave in conditioners seal in the moisture and protect the hair from the damaging effects of the sun and pollution.
• Diluted Apple cider vinegar after shampooing can restore the shine.
• Tie up the hair to avoid greasiness and make it manageable.