Summer skin problems: Tips to combat dryness

How do you handle dry skin during a season that tends to strip away moisture? Make best friends with neem, turmeric, and juicy fruits

Summer, in most European countries, is a wonderful time to be outside, but Indian summer is infamous for being harsh. And while it makes us feel easily exhausted and drained of energy, it also brings along a lot of skin related issues, especially dryness. They drain the skin of natural moisture and aggravate existing skin problems. Alternating exposure to the hot sun and an air-conditioned environment also adds to the dryness and skin damage. This calls for skin care to go from being a gentle routine to a well thought-out action plan.

“A change in weather also means you need to change your skincare routine. Applying sunscreen is not enough. Skin needs moisture and hydration especially in this weather where the body is constantly dehydrated,” says wellness expert Amit Sarda.

Taking care of dry, cracked skin does not need a host of toiletry products. It goes without saying that one must invest in a good, preferably zinc oxide-based sunscreen. And for dry skin, cream is a better base than gel. Apart from that, Noorul Ameen, naturopathy physician, suggests a few tips:

Hydrate: Staying hydrated is the thumb rule to have glowing skin and combat dry skin. Drink at least half of your body weight in ounces of water to keep your skin looking and feeling its best. (For example if you weight 100 pounds, consuming 50 ounces of water is recommended.) This also helps in removing toxins out of your body. Oils are also extremely important for silky, hydrated skin. Coconut oil works as a natural anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial. Therefore, it is a great way to keep your skin looking and feeling great.

Herbs: Neem, gooseberry and turmeric can nourish the skin. These three herbs fight the factors that can lead to early onset of wrinkles, skin irritations and blemishes. These herbs rejuvenate the skin to give a clear, healthy radiance. These herbs are extremely rich in antioxidants and help repair damaged skin cells in order to rebuild new ones. The ability to regenerate new skin cells give the skin a healthy, radiant glow.

Detoxification: Cleansing can be done with saunas, dry skin brushing, cleansing herbs and exercise.

A COOLING DIET FOR BETTER SKIN

It goes without saying that during the summer season one needs to gorge oneself on fruits and water-dense vegetables as much as possible. Increase your intake of whole, nutrient-dense foods. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and certain seeds are all foods that boost the health of skin. “Increase intake of water-rich foods to stay hydrated. Pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, oranges and cucumber are some of the plant-based, waterrich foods that will help you stay fresh and cool,” says wellness expert Shankar Prasad.

While these water-rich foods help cool the body and skin, one needs to moderate the intake of certain items, too. Make sure you ditch items that clog up the skin as well as digestive system such as white sugar, white flour, caffeine, meat, and processed foods.

EAT MORE WHOLE, NUTRIENTDENSE FOODS SUCH AS FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS, BEANS, AND SEEDS. THEY BOOST SKIN HEALTH