Expert-approved monsoon skincare tips for healthy and happy skin

We all know the basics of skincare—cleanse, moisturise, and sunscreen application. However, most of us don’t follow it exactly. We sleep with make-up on sometimes and forget to drink water, thanks to our, long task lists. However, the monsoons are the worst time to forget or be lax about skincare. Rainwater, humidity and the general damp nature of everything don’t do our skin any favours. Pores get clogged faster, we are more prone to breakouts and it’s very easy for our skin to get dehydrated. It’s ironic, we know but it happens. 

We spoke to experts and listed down some basic skincare points that you should bookmark to help your skin stay healthy and happy this season!

It's obvious but use sunscreen

Read it and memorise it— sunscreen is not optional. It’s not a product reserved for sunny days or days on the beach. It’s something you need to apply and reapply every day whether the sun is shining down on you or it's obscured by clouds. You see, harmful UV rays don’t take a break. No matter the climate, if your skin is unprotected it will penetrate and cause all sorts of damage like sunburns and premature ageing. Therefore, ensure you wear broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 or higher.  

Wash your face enough 

Have you noticed your face getting oily and leading to breakouts more often in the monsoons? That is a sign you aren’t washing your face enough. Our pores are more likely to get clogged during this wet season. To combat all the environmental factors and protect your skin, wash your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser followed by a light moisturiser. This will effectively remove dirt, oil, makeup and any other pollutants that have set up shop in your pores and hydrate your skin. 

However, be careful to not overdo it. You see, excessive cleansing can strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and sensitive. Cleanse your face twice a day using a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser to maintain a healthy balance.

Don't use heavy makeup or expired products  

Monsoon or not, this is just good beauty advice. Applying extremely heavy makeup can clog your pores and worsen breakouts. Ensure your makeup products are lightweight, oil-free and non-comedogenic. Another thing to be careful of is the cleanliness of your makeup and skin care products. Monsoons are known to bring bacterial and fungal infections, so clean your brushes well and get rid of any expired products.  

Exfoliate and exfoliate well

Exfoliation helps to unclog pores by removing dead skin cells and debris from your skin. While it is always necessary to use a gentle scrub once a week, in the monsoons it becomes an extremely important step for your face and body. Lack of exfoliation can result in a buildup of dead skin cells, leading to a dull complexion. Gently exfoliate once or twice a week to promote cell turnover and keep your skin radiant. However, do keep in mind that over-exfoliating will do more harm than good. 

Drink enough water 

The humidity during the monsoon can dehydrate your skin, so it's important to drink at least three litres of water every day. 

Inputs by Dr Manasi Shirolikar, Consultant Dermatologist and Founder of Online Consulting Brand drmanasiskin.com and Dr Sravya C Tipirneni, Consultant Dermatologist, Cosmetologist & Trichologist at Manipal Hospitals in Bangalore and Aashka Goradia Goble, Co-Founder, RENÉE Cosmetics