Skincare Products works best when you understand your skin and skin-type.
Monsoon season has arrived as a shield and brought along some release from the sweltering heat. The first drops of rain make you feel refreshed after the hot summer, but the season can trigger numerous infections and allergies on the skin. Wet, humid weather gives way to all kinds of skin problems if not taken care of in time.

Here we will be sharing some useful tips for your skincare and haircare regime in this changing season.

For a basic rule of skincare tips, read our previous blog.

In monsoon, this primary rule remains the same to cleanse, tone, and moisturize, but we are here to help you know about common skin and hair concern in monsoon and how to handle them.

Skin and Hair concerns in Monsoon Season.

Concern 1# Fungal Infection. 

Rainy season is an ideal season for the growth of Bacteria, Fungi, and Viruses.

Fungal infection is the most common skin concern. Humid, wet, and damp conditions during this season is perfect for the growth and multiplication of various fungi.

Ringworm, Tinea

Ringworm is the most common and contagious fungal infection of the skin during the rainy season. It appears as itchy, round, scaly, red patches on the skin. The infection may affect the scalp’s skin, feet (Athlete feet, Tinea Pedis), groin, beard, underarms, face, chest, back, nails, etc.

How to prevent fungal infection:

• Take a bath two at least two times a day.
• Apply dusting powder on body folds [Groins, underarms, inframammary area, in between toes]
• Wear clean, dry, loose clothes, preferably cotton.
• Avoid tight clothes, jeans.
• Shampoo your hair regularly.
• Avoid sharing personal items like clothing, towels, napkins, socks.
• Keep your feet clean and dry
• Wear socks made of breathable fabrics that wick moisture away from your skin, such as cotton socks.

Concern 2# Oily skin/Acne

Humid climate can give way to more natural oil production oner skin. Excessive oil makes a face sticky, which attracts dirt. Oil, dirt, and sweat can clog pores on the skin and give rise to Acne (pimples) breakout.

How to deal with oily skin & Acne:

• Wash face at least 2-3 times in a day.
• Use salicylic acid, glycolic acid containing foaming face wash with removes dirt and unclog pores
• Use an oil-free, water-based, non-comedogenic moisturizer
• Apply sunscreen regularly
• Always remove makeup before sleep
• Drink lots of water, avoid too much coffee, tea, and alcohol.
• If the problem persists, visit a dermatologist to find out the root cause.

Concern 3# Excessive Sweating

Excessive Sweating may occur in underarms, scalp, groin, and palms, which also makes you feel extremely uncomfortable.

How to deal with excessive Sweating-

• Wear the Right Fabric: Clothes made of natural fibers like cotton as they allow air to pass through them.
• Adopt the right bathing methods- avoid bathing with hot water. Antibacterial soap (Triclosan) is an excellent option to prevent bacterial infection due to sweat.
• Avoid caffeine
• Be Careful of What You Eat! Limit oily, spicy, or processed foods as they stimulate sweat glands.
• Drink lots of water, fresh fruit juices to keep yourself hydrated as excessive Sweating can lead to dehydration.
• Using antiperspirants with aluminium chloride, at night before sleep can help reduce Sweating by blocking sweat duct pores.

Concern 4# Eczema and skin allergies: 

Increased humidity in monsoon season can cause dryness of the skin leading to aggravating eczema. It is a dermatological condition where patches of skin become itchy, swollen, red, dry, flaky initially, and later become hardened and roughened.

Insect bite allergies are also common in monsoon. keep your child safe from insects. They usually present itchy and raised red bumps on exposed areas of the body like hands, legs, and face. It’s more common in children but can happen to anyone.

How to deal with itchy skin and eczema-

• Avoid long hot water baths. Luke-warm water is ideal for bathing.
• Moisturize properly.
• Avoid scented soaps, body washes, moisturizer
• Avoid scrubbing your body
• Wear Soft cotton fabrics.
• Avoid excessive scratching-Keep your fingernails short.
• Destress yourself. Do exercise, yoga regularly.
• To avoid insect bite allergies, wear full sleeves and full pants whenever you step out of your house. Use insect repellent stickers or creams whenever required.
• If the problem persists, do consult a dermatologist.

 Concern 5# Frizzy hair, dandruff, and hair fall

Excessive humidity can damage hair as well.

How to keep hair healthy in monsoon:

• Shampoo regularly, at least twice a week, removes sweat, dirt, and oil from the scalp.
• Use conditioner on lengths of your hair as it neutralizes fizziness and smoothens out the hair.
• Use SLS free, paraben-free shampoos and conditioners as are gentler on colored hairs as well.
• Cover your hairs while going out, tie them while going out.
• Apply hair serum, which turns rough, frizzled, and damaged strands into soft, silky, and smooth hair.
• To protect yourself from fungal or bacterial infections, keep your hair dry, this is the most effective monsoon hair care tip.
• Limit ironing during monsoon.
• Do not apply oil on the scalp if you have dandruff. Use ketoconazole based, zinc pyrithione containing shampoo on the scalp to get rid of dandruff.
• Eat a protein-rich diet for healthy hair.
• If hair fall persists, consult a dermatologist.

Taking proper care of your skin and hair will make the monsoon season more enjoyable for you. Proper care is the key to healthy skin and hair in monsoon.