Do you struggle with problem skin every summer? Even minor sunburns can affect the health of your skin in the long-term. There are ways to deal with summer heat and humidity that are natural and help you avoid typical problems associated with the bright sun of summer.

Why is summer different than the rest of the year?

If you live in a humid climate, the high humidity in summer can make you sweat, allowing your skin to accumulate dirt and increase your risk of skin infection. The sun is bright and strong in the summer, which increases heat in your body – even if you’re inside. Common summer skin problems include sunburn, redness, irritation, rash, and acne.

Tips for oily skin

  1. Use lukewarm instead of hot water when showering or bathing. It helps dissolve excessive sebum (the cause of acne) better than hot or cold water without over-drying your skin. It also helps open clogged pores by eliminating impurities and debris that have accumulated on your upper layer of skin.
  2. It’s best to wash your face twice a day to remove excess oil and dirt and see clear skin. Do not wash any more than three or four times a day, however, as that will leave your skin dry, stimulating an overproduction of sebum and resulting in more blemishes – the opposite of what you want.
  3. Avoid over exfoliating and excessive scrubbing. Exfoliate twice a week at most. Otherwise, you are stripping away natural oils that fight skin irritations, leaving skin dry.
  4. Use a natural face mask twice a week to remove impurities and excess oil, absorb excess sebum, and calm skin.
  5. Go light on the makeup by replacing a heavy foundation with a tinted light moisturizing serum that doesn’t clog pores. This will give you light coverage while protecting your skin from heat.
  6. Keep your hair and scalp clean, as they tend to give off excessive natural oils in the summer. These oils can easily transfer to your skin. Do your best to keep your hair away from your face by putting it in a ponytail, braid, or other type of updo. Check out tips for summer hair care.

Tips for normal/combination skin

  1. Don’t take overly hot showers or baths, as the hot water can dry your skin and make it susceptible to dryness and other skin problems.
  2. Cleanse with coconut oil, which is cooling and soothing. Coconut oil is also great for body and face massages in the summer, as it reduces inflammation, heals wounds, and moisturizes skin.
  3. Avoid chemical-infused skincare products, as they can increase your sun sensitivity.
  4. Try a few drops of organic rosewater on a cotton pad and put them over your eyelids for a few minutes. Do this daily for a refreshing and cooling effect on eyes and to diminish dark circles.
  5. Exfoliate twice a week, being careful not to over-scrub, which can irritate your skin and cause it to be more susceptible to sun damage.


Tips for dry skin

  1. Avoid hot showers and baths, as they strip natural oils from your skin, making it more dry, flaky, and itchy. Using lukewarm water for washing helps you avoid overly dry and stretched skin.
  2. Don’t skip your moisturizer. You may be tempted to avoid moisturizers in the summer because of the humidity in the air, but don’t. You may not need as heavy and creamy a moisturizer as in winter, but you still need to keep your skin hydrated. Use a lightweight formula. A water-based mild moisturizer with aloe vera helps provide your skin with hydration without clogging pores.
  3. Always use sun protection. You should do this all year, but it should be a high priority in summer. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day. Reapply immediately after sweating or swimming, or every two hours. Search the internet for natural oils with SPF, such as avocado or pomegranate seed oil, or Ayurvedic sunscreen. Avoid direct sunlight in the morning and afternoon when possible, and don’t forget your sunglasses and wide-brimmed hat.
  4. Use a humidifier. This may sound counter-intuitive, especially if you live in a humid climate, but air-conditioning reduces the amount of moisture in the air. If you have dry skin, it may feel itchy if you spend a lot of time indoors. A humidifier adds moisture back into your inside air, helping to keep your skin hydrated.
  5. Always carry a facial mist. Not only will it make you feel instantly refreshed, but it also helps retain your skin’s moisture.

What to wear

  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat while outside in summer. A baseball cap or other smaller hat is not sufficient, as you need to protect not just your scalp and face but also your ears from harmful UV rays. (Seriously: I know someone who always wore brimmed hats while working outside and he had several bouts of skin cancer on his ears and back of his neck because the hat wasn’t big enough to always cover them. It matters.)
  • There are many types of fabrics that can help shield your skin from the sun’s rays in summer: satin, silk, soft unbleached cotton, and tight knits and weaves. Dark fabrics also help protect your skin, but they can also allow too much heat in and might make you uncomfortable.

 

Try some of our best-selling summer skin products:

Patanjali Crack Heel Cream

Patanjali Saundarya Aloe Vera Gel

Himalaya Botanique Balancing Neem and Turmeric Face Wash

Patanjali Orange Aloe Vera Face Wash

Dabur Gulabari Moisturizing Cream

Patanjali Aloe Vera Moisturizing Cream

 

Related Blogs

Skin Health and Ayurveda

Trying to Naturally Keep Your Cool this Summer? Herbs Can Help!

Best Summer Herbs and Their Benefits

 

Resources

Nahata, Dr. Pankaj. “Summer: Ayurvedic Tips for Skin Care!” Lybrate. 1/10/23. Accessed 4/27/23.  https://www.lybrate.com/topic/summer-ayurvedic-tips-for-skin-care/52c3e17da1b3a070b7fcd89a485a1bda

Chakravorty, Ananya. Reviewed by Dr. Zeel Gandhi. “Skincare in Summer As Per Your Skin Type.” Vedix. 1/25/22. Accessed 4/27/23. https://vedix.com/blogs/articles/summer-skincare-tips