Be Careful of Skin Care During Rainy Season

Rain is generally considered an important blessing to mankind. Without it, most organisms on the planet could not exist.

However, for people who live in monsoon regions, experiencing heavy, persistent rain for months on end can make the wet showers feel like more of a nuisance than a gift.

In more tropical parts of the globe, monsoons produce extremely wet summers and dry winters, increasing the importance of taking good care of your skin when you’re constantly exposed to unpredictable weather—you can be hot and dry one minute, then drenched from head to toe moments later.

With rainy season often comes higher humidity, making your skin oiler and more prone to acne breakouts.

To minimize your risk of acne, infections, and other skin problems, this starts with a proper rainy season skincare routine.

Rainy Season Skin Care

According to Board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Anna Palayb-Rufino, “It is important to cleanse our faces at least two times a day to help prevent skin problems. Exfoliating the skin can also help get rid of the dead skin on the surface and unclog the pores to reveal healthier skin underneath. It also helps products penetrate into the skin better, making them more effective.”

While you may think it’s not as sunny when it’s raining outside, strong UV rays can still penetrate through the clouds. You should wear sunscreen whether you’re outside or mainly indoors; even when you’re staying home, the sun can still shine through the windows and damage your skin.

For those with oily skin, Dr. Anna Palayb-Rufino says, “Use products that help reduce and control the oiliness of the skin. Gentle exfoliation can be achieved by using products such as cleansers, toners and creams that can help peel off the upper layers of the skin. A light moisturizer is better than heavy creams. A matte-finish or velvety sunscreen also helps lessen that sticky, heavy feeling you get after applying layers of products on your skin.”

She also recommends products with AHA, BHA, PHA or Retinol (Vitamin A) in toner form, but they should be used sparingly if you have more sensitive skin.

Papaya Facials for Oily Skin

During monsoon season, celebrity dermatologist Dr. Shoma Sarkar recommends special treatments for different humidity levels and skin types.

While acne isn’t caused by rising temperatures, people tend to break out more in the summer due to an increase in oil production, sweat, and clogged pores, especially while wearing face masks.

If you have oily skin, we recommend using oil-controlling deep cleansers. Because too much exposure to the rain can make your sebaceous glands work in overdrive, dirt and bacteria can get trapped in your skin and lead to nasty blackheads, whiteheads, and breakouts.

Aside from applying a cleanser to keep your oil production at bay, you can use an alcohol-free toner to retain your skin’s pH balance. Although using alcohol on your skin may initially seem like a good idea, it can actually dry out your skin and strip it of its moisture, making your oil glands overcompensate by producing even more sebum (oil). When your skin secretes even more oil, this can lead to even bigger pores and more breakouts.

Since papaya contains vitamin C, which can help reduce oiliness, and vitamin A, which can help the skin retain its moisture, the homemade facial we recommend for oily skin is a blend of papaya, curd, aloe vera, and lavender oil.

You start by taking “two tablespoons of papaya pulp, one tablespoon of curd, an ounce of aloe vera gel and mixing them together. Next add a few drops of lavender oil, then apply to your skin. Papaya works as a great de-tanner, curd clears blemishes, aloe vera soothes the skin, and lavender boosts rejuvenation” (India Times).

Strawberry Facials for Combination or Normal Skin

In general, combination skin where the T-zone is oily and cheek area is dry can be more difficult to treat than other skin types. During rainy season, with excessive humidity, your T-zone can become even oilier and attract more dirt and grime, leading to more breakouts.

If you have combination skin, we recommend using an ultra-gentle cleanser to not irritate your skin. Look for labels that are fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and paraben-free.

When cleansing combination skin and just about every skin type, micellar water is a highly versatile product you can consider trying. It is alcohol-free, gentle for your skin, and effective at removing every last bit of makeup, grime, and oil to keep your skin clean and pores clear all throughout rainy season.

Since fruits are packed with nutrients and enzymes that give you a healthy glow, the homemade facial we recommend for combination or normal skin is a strawberry, yogurt, and honey face mask.

“Start by blending half a cup of frozen or fresh strawberries. Then mix it with one cup of yogurt and one and one-half tablespoons of honey. After you’ve mixed these ingredients together, then apply to your skin for soft, supple skin” (India Times).

Final Food for Thought

While rainy season can be a literal dampener to our mood, you can do your part to keep your skin dewy and glowing.

In short, you should keep your face from making contact with rain, cleanse your face daily, use a moisturizer at night when your skin is repairing itself, apply sunscreen every few hours both indoors and outdoors, tone your skin with natural ingredients like green tea or rose water, and always remove all your make-up before you go to bed.

Beyond your rainy season skincare routine, it’s also important to practice healthy habits, which include: drinking sufficient water to flush out toxins and minimize breakouts, eating fruits and veggies rich in antioxidants, and getting enough rest each night to protect your skin in the long run.