Summer skin SOS

You will no longer hate the warm weather for the setbacks it can bring.We give you a list of the most common seasonal skin woes - and the solutions to prevent or fix them, to stay gorgeous all season

1. Sunburns

Reason: Exposure to UV rays during

Prevent it: For the face, use skincare products that contain SPF 30 or more. For the body, use garments such as scarves to guard against UV rays.

Solution: When skin is sun burnt, it is inflamed. So, burnt, it is inflamed. So, you first need to cool it; a cold shower is quite effective for this purpose. You can also soak a towel in cold water and place it on affected areas. Go for whitening/brightening skincare products and moisturise well.

2. Summer rash

Reason: Sweat makes the skin moist. Skin that is moist collects dust and impurities that block the sebaceous glands and cause summer rash and acne.

Prevent it: Never scratch your skin. Sweat contains salt that can irritate the skin, creating an itching sensation.

When you itch, your skin develops rashes.

Solution: Use a good-quality powder to prevent the skin from becoming too moist.
Make cleansing a part of your daily beauty regimen. Gently cleanse the skin with a cleanser, around two to three times a day. When outdoors or in office, apply moisturising lotion to a cotton pad and gently wipe the sweat off the skin instead of using a dry tow el. Moisturisof ing lotions to are mildly s acidic and do not irri tate the skin. ill 3 pm tate the skin.

3. Acne

Reason: Acne is the direct result of the direct result of dehydration due to sweating and excessive reproduc tion of bacteria. For adults, stress and lifestyle factors can disrupt the pH balance making the skin acne prone.

Prevent it: Change the way you cleanse. The key is to lather up the foam and cleanse gently, so that excess sebum is removed, but essential moisture is retained in the skin.

Solution: Gently wash the face with a cleanser, then apply a toner and a moisturiser (cream or emulsion) with a light texture. Sleep well, eat healthy, and avoid foods that are high in fats. Since your skin is very sensitive, apply products that can increase the `barrier function' of the skin.

4. Dry skin

Reason: Scrubbing can cause dry ness as it damages the stratum corneum (uppermost layer of the skin). Dif K t t ferences in humidity between indoors and outdoors and exposure to air conditioning are among other causes.

Prevent it: Maintaining an optimal moisture balance for your skin (balance between water, oil and moisturising elements in the skin) is important for healthy, beautiful skin. Most people with dry skin only use a cream. However, in order to restore the optimal moisture balance, apply a toner and an emulsion before applying a cream. This will create protective layers on your skin, thus increasing its barrier function.

Solution: Religiously moisturise your skin every morning and before you go to bed. The right way to apply the cream is to use the palm of your hand and apply it in a slow motion.

5. Uneven skin tone

Reason: The reason is different for different areas. Decrease in blood circulation and d haemoglobin in the blood affects the area around the eyes, making them appear darker. Exposure to UV rays causes melanin to build up which changes the colour of your cheeks. And if you notice uneven skin tone on your entire face, it may be due to lack of translucence because of ageing.

Prevent it: Moisturisation, sun protection, and facial massage are keys to avoiding uneven skin tone.

Solution: When massaging the face, pay attention to using the correct amount of cream. For the 
area around the eyes, take a towel, soak it in warm water, squeeze it and place on your eyes for a few minutes. This will increase the blood circulation and refresh your eyes.

Beauty tips to keep in mind

• Lather the cleansing foam until it is thick and creamy, and then use it to gently cleanse the face. Do not scrub, as it will damage the skin. The foam will act as a cushion and collect dust and impurities from the skin.
• Do not apply heavy moisturisers on oily skin as the pores can get clogged with oil and lead to blackheads and pimples.
• Be beautiful from the "inside" by paying special attention to food. Opt for healthy, natural and light options like salads and take vitamin and mineral supplements.

• After cleansing, use a toner. This will replenish the moisture in your skin and make it supple and soft. A smart way of using the toner is to take several cotton pads and soak them in the toner. Place the cotton pads on dry areas like a mask for 10 minutes.
• Apply sandalwood paste on pimples, acne, rash and heat boils. If there is a rash, mix sandalwood paste with a little rose water and apply on the affected area. Wash it off with plain water after 20 minutes. You can also use talcum powder containing sandalwood for conditions like prickly heat or body rash.

(Inputs by Hiroko Watanabe, skin expert, Shiseido and beauty expert Shahnaz Husain)