Summertime has come. Even if summer marks the return of sundresses, shorts, and tank tops in your closet, skincare is very important and can be difficult to manage. You want to stay away from heavy creams and lotions that cause your skin to produce more oil, but not using anything makes your skin dry, flaky and weak. Don’t worry! Check out these simple steps to keep your skin healthier this summer! 1: Follow the CTM process Dust, sun, heat, and dirt can damage your skin, leading to pigmentation and the symptoms of ageing. Therefore, follow a skincare regimen that includes cleansing, toning, and moisturizing to ensure a natural, strong glow. 2: Aloe Vera Gel Usually use green aloe vera gel on the face and neck. Aloe vera acts as a soothing agent, so it heals and repairs skin cells damaged by excessive exposure to the sun. You can also add aloe vera juice to your morning routine for adequate hydration. 3: Vitamin Rich Food Add vitamins C and E to your diet, such as watermelons, cucumbers, carrots. These antioxidants help repair the skin and protect the skin from harmful sun rays. 4: Waterlogging High temperatures can cause internal inflammation, which can lead to dizziness! Keep your body hydrated by using at least two litres of water a day. Avoid drinking too much caffeine and alcohol as it may cause dehydration. 5: Glycerin Apply a thin layer of glycerin to your face before bed every day. Clean in the morning. Glycerin repairs damaged skin cells and keeps your face hydrated throughout the day. 6: Protect Your Lips The scorching sun in the summer radiates harmful UV rays and damages sensitive lip tissue. To keep your lips looking fresh and refreshing, apply a rich lip balm labelled with SPF 15 or higher and continue applying every day. 7: Coconut Oil Do you remember Dadi’s favourite coconut oil? It’s a miracle oil! And there are many ways to use it – apply it to problem areas such as your hands, cuticles, and joints, rub on the skin or add a few tablespoons of coconut oil to your bath! It leaves your skin feeling incredibly soft. 8: Take A Towel Lightly Indeed, your towel absorbs very well and is soft on your skin. But applying it on your skin vigorously can dry out your skin. Instead, heat after bathing. Let it cool a little and then apply the ointment. In this way, you shut off the excess hydration left on your skin, effectively reducing thirst. 9: Use Appropriate Soap Perfume soaps can irritate your skin, stripping it of its natural oils and causing dryness. Instead, go with natural soaps or bath gels. 10: Say YES To Steam, But NOT In Hot Showers Take the steam once a week; it will help you open your pores as your skin collects more dirt and oil during the summer. Avoid taking hot rain in the sun as it will dry out your skin even more. Therefore, it is recommended that you use cold water while bathing, it will help your skin to cool down and prevent acne. Take an almond oil massage before taking a shower. Almond oil helps your skin retain water and look clean and hydrated. 11: Use Sunscreen Use sunscreen regularly before leaving your house as it not only protects your skin from harmful UV rays but also prevents your skin from drying out. Buy sunscreen if you have oily skin and go for the moisturizing sunscreen if you have dry skin. Make sure you buy sunscreen according to your skin type, as improper installation can lead to more dullness. Use sunscreen sprays on your skin and hair. 12: Use A Face Packing For Hydrating And Moisturizing Papaya Facial Pack: Papaya is a natural moisturizer and is known for measuring the moisture content of the skin. It also has anti-ageing properties. Just blend a few pieces out there to make a smooth paste and apply this paste on your face freely. Place large pieces of cotton on your face to prevent sticking to the papaya from dripping. Let it sit for 15 minutes before washing with warm water. Repeat three times a week. Yoghurt Facial Pack: A very simple yet effective remedy, Yoghurt Facial Pack is a great way to treat your dry skin in the summer as yoghurt retains moisture and softens your skin naturally. Simply mix one teaspoon of honey with 2 teaspoons of yoghurt and apply this mixture on your face evenly. Let it dry completely, before washing it with water. Reduce as usual. Repeat 2 times a week for a month to get soft, supple, and radiant skin. 13. Exfoliation is Essential Dry skin is simply dead skin cells that have not fallen off, the more the build-up on the skin surface the drier your face will feel. This can lead to itchy dry skin which is a pain to deal with. There are a variety of face cleansers that can slowly get rid of excessively dry skin with daily use while scrubs are also available to remove dry skin thoroughly. Note that chemical scrubs can cause irritation so do a test first to ensure your skin isn’t sensitive to the ingredients. 14. Shaving Safely Shaving your skin without first wetting it is a big no-no. This can lead to very dry skin, breakouts and other issues. Always use a shaving gel or cream and if you do not have either of those, in the worst case even soap is better than nothing. Dry skin can be at a higher risk of infection so be sure to use clean and sanitised razor blades regularly. Of course, be sure to moisturise the skin you have just shaved after you’re done to avoid any dry skin patchiness. One once said, “sunshine, refreshment, and clothing” are the essence of summer. So, wrap up and be very good at taking care of your dry skin this summer and show off your beautiful light! Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a health care professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.