6 Ingredients You Need to Add to Your Summer Skincare Routine

Unexpected breakouts, blackheads, and sweaty skin? Take these beauty woes as a cue to swap your heavy, creamy potions for lightweight, hydrating formulas.

As the sultry season sets in—with the heat and humidity wreaking havoc on our skin—it's a good idea to invite calming, cooling, and soothing ingredients to your skincare routine. Nutrient-rich sources such as Aloe barbadensis, Vitamin C, and Camellia Sinesis Leaf Extract serve as the perfect, summer-friendly additions to your regime, working to tackle heat-induced skin concerns. 

Mumbai-based dermatologist, Dr Geetika Mittal gives you the lowdown on all that you need to incorporate into your summer skincare routine. Take note.

Kakadu Plum Extract

Kakadu Plum contains natural gallic acid, which is a phenolic acid that works as an antioxidant, protecting your skin against free radical damage caused by the sun, pollutants, and other environmental toxins. Both the gallic and ellagic acid contain antibacterial properties that calm irritated skin, while strengthening your skin’s outer barrier. It's also the ideal ingredient in the treatment of acne or any other inflammatory skin disorder.

Product Recommendation: Dr G Kakadu Plum and Orange Glow Gel, Rs. 1,200

Niacinamide

Also known as Vitamin B3 or Nicotinamide, this water-soluble vitamin works with your skin's natural substances to help improve the appearance of enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, and a weakened skin surface. It aids in building the protein that keeps your skin healthy and firm, along with working as a skin conditioner to soften its texture. Topical application of niacinamide also improves epidermal barrier function and locks in moisture, which further helps keep up hydration levels. 

Product Recommendation: Dr G HA Intense Moisturizer, Rs. 3,800; Dr G Eye Bright Cream, Rs. 1,850

Aloe Leaf Extract

Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera)—also referred to as a miracle herb—is widely known for its medicinal properties. It provides intensive aid in skin moisturisation, relieving irritated skin and boosting hydration. It also helps treat, restore, soothe, and provide plentiful nutrition to your skin, giving way to a clear, supple and healthy complexion. 

Product Recommendation: Dr G 99 Percentage Aloe Hydra Gel, Rs. 1,200; Dr G Hydra Cool Plumping Serum, Rs. 3,700

Salicylic Acid

Due to the change in weather, you may notice blackheads or tiny dots on your nose, along with breakouts. Salicylic acid is lipophilic in nature, which suggests that it's an oil-soluble and is able to penetrate deep into your skin follicles, to break down blockages within, as well as provide surface exfoliation which helps promote cell regeneration.

Product Recommendation: Dr G Sebum Control Facewash, Rs. 1,980

Vitamin C

To brighten up dull, tired complexion and erase sun spots, Vitamin C happens to be the gold standard of any skincare ingredient. It is also perhaps the most potent topical antioxidant that promotes collagen production and elastin synthesis, and specifically inhibits melanin to reduce the appearance of uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation. Besides evening out your skin tone, Vitamin C also reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and protects against the impact of photo-damage. In fact, it stands second in line for defense against harmful UVA rays, while helping boost your skin’s antioxidant defenses.

Product Recommendation: Dr G Active C Serum, Rs. 3,400 

Camellia Sinesis Leaf Extract

Loaded with the goodness of catechins—which contain EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate)—the camellia sinesis leaf extract possesses strong antioxidant properties that fight free radicals found in your skin. It also possess the ability to protect your skin from UV-induced oxidative stress, and works to reduce scaling. Besides, it increases blood flow to your skin, along with promoting skin elasticity, hydration, and density. Enriched with caffeine, it serves to be an exception anti-cellulite agent too!

Product Recommendation: Dr G Eye Rescue Cream, Rs. 2,100