After the arid conditions of summer, high humidity during the monsoon months, poses a problem, especially for those with oily or combination skins. Oily skins look even more oily and dull, due to sweat and oil secretions on the skin. Sweat on the skin also attracts dirt and pollutants from the atmosphere.CleanseDeep pore cleansing with facial scrubs is important, in order to keep the pores free of clogged oil and dirt. Use a facial scrub twice a week. Apply it on the face and rub gently on the skin, using a circular motion. Then, rinse off with plenty of plain water.For a home facial scrub, mix rice flour, or ground almonds with curd and a pinch of turmeric. For pimples, acne or sensitive skin, avoid scrubs. Wash the face several times with plain water. Nighttime cleansing is necessary, to remove the impurities that have collected on the skin during the day.TonerA flower-based skin tonic or freshener is a boon in humid weather. Rose water is a natural toner. Keep skin tonic or rose water in the fridge. Wipe the face with it, using cotton wool pads. It is extremely refreshing and tightens the pores.ScrubIn humid weather, the skin can be prone to blackheads and eruptions. A facial scrub should be used on the blackhead-prone areas. Stubborn blackheads should be removed at a skin-care clinic, by a trained therapist, using proper methods.Sensitive skinIf there is a rash, pimples or acne, wash the face with a medicated cleanser. Wipe with a skin tonic, or buy an astringent lotion and mix it with rose water in equal quantities.Keep in an airtight bottle in the fridge. Add a little rose water to the sandalwood paste and apply on the rashes and eruptions.Neem leaves can also be used to treat rashes, pimples and acne. A handful of neem leaves can be simmered on very low fire in 4 cups of water for one hour. Leave it overnight. Next morning, strain and use the water to wash the face. Make a paste on the leaves and apply on pimples, rash and acne.Moisturize your skinOily products, like heavy nourishing creams, should be avoided when the weather is humid. If your skin is dry, you will find it looking and feeling better during the Monsoons. A light, liquid moisturizer should serve your purpose, both to keep the skin moisturized and as a base for make-up.If you are out during the day, carry a small bottle of skin tonic in your handbag, so that you can use it whenever the skin feels sweaty and greasy. Wet tissues and skin cleansing pads are also useful for refreshing the skin. After wiping the face with wet tissue, use compact powder. It helps to refresh the skin and remove the oily look.Face packIf your skin is very oily, multani mitti may help to reduce the oiliness. Mix it with rose water into a paste and apply on the face, washing it off when it dries. For a monsoon face mask, mix 3 teaspoons oats with egg white and one teaspoon each of honey and curd. If you don't want to use egg white, add rose water or orange juice. Apply it on the face and wash it off after half an hour. Use it twice a week. Dry and powdered lemon and orange peels can also be added to face packs..Drink fluidsDuring the monsoons, the body loses fluids through sweat. Remember to drink more fluids to keep the system flushed. Take plenty of “nimbu paani” and fresh fruit juices, apart from plenty of water. Include salads, fruits, sprouts and yoghurt in your daily diet. Substitute your hot cup of tea with iced tea, lemon juice and a dash of honey.Beauty is not just a question of how you look, but how you feel and at no time is this more relevant than during the Monsoons.Shahnaz Husain, globally acclaimed pioneer and leader in Ayurvedic beauty care. She is a world-renowned beauty and wellness expert and the Founder and CMD of the Shahnaz Husain Group
After the arid conditions of summer, high humidity during the monsoon months, poses a problem, especially for those with oily or combination skins. Oily skins look even more oily and dull, due to sweat and oil secretions on the skin. Sweat on the skin also attracts dirt and pollutants from the atmosphere.CleanseDeep pore cleansing with facial scrubs is important, in order to keep the pores free of clogged oil and dirt. Use a facial scrub twice a week. Apply it on the face and rub gently on the skin, using a circular motion. Then, rinse off with plenty of plain water.For a home facial scrub, mix rice flour, or ground almonds with curd and a pinch of turmeric. For pimples, acne or sensitive skin, avoid scrubs. Wash the face several times with plain water. Nighttime cleansing is necessary, to remove the impurities that have collected on the skin during the day.TonerA flower-based skin tonic or freshener is a boon in humid weather. Rose water is a natural toner. Keep skin tonic or rose water in the fridge. Wipe the face with it, using cotton wool pads. It is extremely refreshing and tightens the pores.ScrubIn humid weather, the skin can be prone to blackheads and eruptions. A facial scrub should be used on the blackhead-prone areas. Stubborn blackheads should be removed at a skin-care clinic, by a trained therapist, using proper methods.Sensitive skinIf there is a rash, pimples or acne, wash the face with a medicated cleanser. Wipe with a skin tonic, or buy an astringent lotion and mix it with rose water in equal quantities.Keep in an airtight bottle in the fridge. Add a little rose water to the sandalwood paste and apply on the rashes and eruptions.Neem leaves can also be used to treat rashes, pimples and acne. A handful of neem leaves can be simmered on very low fire in 4 cups of water for one hour. Leave it overnight. Next morning, strain and use the water to wash the face. Make a paste on the leaves and apply on pimples, rash and acne.Moisturize your skinOily products, like heavy nourishing creams, should be avoided when the weather is humid. If your skin is dry, you will find it looking and feeling better during the Monsoons. A light, liquid moisturizer should serve your purpose, both to keep the skin moisturized and as a base for make-up.If you are out during the day, carry a small bottle of skin tonic in your handbag, so that you can use it whenever the skin feels sweaty and greasy. Wet tissues and skin cleansing pads are also useful for refreshing the skin. After wiping the face with wet tissue, use compact powder. It helps to refresh the skin and remove the oily look.Face packIf your skin is very oily, multani mitti may help to reduce the oiliness. Mix it with rose water into a paste and apply on the face, washing it off when it dries. For a monsoon face mask, mix 3 teaspoons oats with egg white and one teaspoon each of honey and curd. If you don't want to use egg white, add rose water or orange juice. Apply it on the face and wash it off after half an hour. Use it twice a week. Dry and powdered lemon and orange peels can also be added to face packs..Drink fluidsDuring the monsoons, the body loses fluids through sweat. Remember to drink more fluids to keep the system flushed. Take plenty of “nimbu paani” and fresh fruit juices, apart from plenty of water. Include salads, fruits, sprouts and yoghurt in your daily diet. Substitute your hot cup of tea with iced tea, lemon juice and a dash of honey.Beauty is not just a question of how you look, but how you feel and at no time is this more relevant than during the Monsoons.Shahnaz Husain, globally acclaimed pioneer and leader in Ayurvedic beauty care. She is a world-renowned beauty and wellness expert and the Founder and CMD of the Shahnaz Husain Group
