The summer season is a different kind of a beast and requires a special skincare routine for oily skin. The scorching and harsh sun rays can dehydrate the plumpest of fruit, so your skin is hardly any match. But, at the same time, oily skin feels so greasy (from all the sweat, and sebum) that the sheer thought of applying moisturiser probably has you double-cleansing.
As if it weren’t enough, the exposure to UV rays can cause serious sun damage but wearing a sunscreen often gives you clogged pores that end up flaring acne. All that added with excessive sebum and dead skin cells is a recipe for a heat rash or mass acne breakout.
So, it’s best to tweak your skincare routine for oily skin for the summer months to keep oiliness, acne and blemishes at bay.
Here are 6 simple suggestions that will have your skin thanking you.
Use the right type of Cleanser:
Oily skin, sweat, humidity and heat make it seem like it’s natural to wash your face multiple times a day. But washing the face several times a day can be extremely damaging to the skin as it can dry out the skin.
Now we know what you are thinking, oily skin that dries up, GREAT, what’s not to love, right?! Wrong! Once the natural oils are stripped, oily skin becomes dry resulting in even more sebum production making the skin oilier than before (means more chances of getting acne).
So what can you do? Well, stick to washing your face only twice a day at most and wherever possible with a gentle hydrating cleanser that won’t strip your skin of its moisture. The best kind of summer cleanser is barrier friendly Get Your Greens which you can use twice a day without worrying about skin and barrier damage.
Staying hydrated by drinking water:
A daily skincare routine for oily skin cannot be complete without a discussion about hydration. Sure, applying amazingly hydrating products will help your skin but getting enough water each day is what will complement and help your summer skincare routine for oily skin perform as it should.
Drinking a sufficient amount of water will result in both surface level and deep skin hydration which in turn will help the skin look plump, dewy and youthful. If you have been thinking about increasing your water intake, now is probably a good time to make drinking plenty of water your new habit.
Moisturise the right way:
Yes yes, we hear you! You have oily skin so what’s the point of moisturiser. Well, just because the skin is oily doesn’t mean it is adequately hydrated and moisturised during the summers (especially for people who shave regularly).
Lack of moisture and hydration not only causes increased sebum production but also damages the skin barrier that becomes more prone to acne and breakout than before. And you know, acne means acne marks and blemishes.
The best way to avoid all that and premature ageing (yes, lack of moisture and hydration speeds up skin’s ageing process) is using a lightweight moisturiser.
The ideal moisturiser will be a lightweight and non-comedogenic gel-based moisturiser such as Water Dam(n). Something that will not weigh your skin down while providing and locking in necessary hydration in excessive heat.
Stay in shade (as much as possible):
Not that you need to be told this, most people want to avoid the blistering sun. But you may end up having to step out or decide to spend a day poolside. In that case, it is good to remember that most dermatologists recommend wearing sun-protective clothing when stepping outside (despite using sunscreen).
As much as possible, wear large hats, and sunglasses, and use an umbrella when stepping out. Most importantly, avoid the midday sun since the sun rays are the harshest during those hours and can be very damaging to the skin.
Don’t forget your sunscreen:
Chances of sun damage increase in the summer due to the longer daylight hours and harsher overhead sun rays. That’s why protecting your skin from UV rays by wearing sunscreen in summer is critical.
But, for people with oily skin, wearing sunscreen can feel like applying a mix of talcum powder and ghee to your skin, it makes you feel like your skin is choking.
While you want the broad-spectrum sun (UVA & UVB) protection, you definitely don’t want clogged pores (that brings the risk of future acne outbreak), white cast, greasy & tacky feel that is a common feature of most sunscreens. These are the common reasons why many people avoid using sunscreen despite its many benefits.
Thankfully, there are a few options that tackle all these issues like Beat The Sun sunscreen which is a lightweight and non-comedogenic sunscreen. It leaves zero white cast, doesn’t leave the skin feeling greasy and provides broad-spectrum protection against sun damage.
Use Non comedogenic make up:
Summers are a really hard time for oily skinned makeup lovers. Sweat, sebum, and humidity make most makeup melt away and invariably lead to acne. In such a situation, it is best to use non-comedogenic and sensitive skin-friendly makeup since it will allow your skin to breathe and limit the chances of clogged pores that lead to acne.
Conclusion
Sure, it can feel like the oily skin is worse off in the summer seasons. However, if you incorporate these small tweaks in your skincare for oily skin and stick to them, they can really make a difference and reduce the chances of skin issues.