~ Hygiene

Half of summer-related skin infections would not occur if people maintained proper hygiene. Shower at least twice a day to prevent build-up of dried salts and sweat-induced bacterial growth. Do not over-use anti-perspirants as they not only clog pores but inhibit sweating, which is necessary to cool the body and eliminate toxins. Instead, use loose talc to absorb excess secreted sweat. Never spray deos on broken, irritated or sunburned skin. If you see a ringworm infection (circular red patches on the body that itch intensely), yeast infections (whitish macerated itchy skin, especially in boldily folds like the groin) or athlete’s foot, consult your dermatologist immediately.

~ Sun protection

Second to moisturiser, sunscreens are the most ubiquitously used skincare product — and also the most incorrectly used! Each brand contains different ingredients — some are UBA-blocking agents, some for UVB, some are chemical sunblocks and others (like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) are physical sunblocks ie they form an opaque barrier against the penetration of UV rays.

Take help from a qualified skin specialist to choose the right sunscreen for you. Apply at least 10 to 15 minutes before sun exposure and always use generously. Being stingy with your sunscreen can drop its effectiveness by half! A 5-rupee coin sized blob is enough for your face; double that quantity for each arm. Re-apply every 2-3 hours. For swimming or the beach, use a waterproof sunblock and reapply each time you towel yourself dry. Sunscreens can protect from sunburns, blemishes and skin aging due to UV exposure, but do not completely prevent a tan. Physically blocking the sun with an umbrella, a wide-rimmed hat and sunglasses will prevent tanning.

~ Antioxidants (the internal sun protectors)

Oxidative damage by ultraviolet radiation can be mitigated by adequate intake of antioxidants. You can take them naturally in fresh salads and brightly-coloured fruit. Mangoes in this season and papayas are rich in carotene, sweet limes and lemons are packed with Vitamin C and iced tea is rich in flavonoids — all excellent sources of antioxidants. If ‘rabbit food’ is not your thing, ask your doctor to prescribe some antioxidant capsules for you.

~ Moisturisers

Sweating makes us forget just how much we need moisturisers. Heat saps moisture from the skin, leaving it dry and rough. You must use light, water-based moisturisers instead of oily ones each time you wash your face. Drink two-three litres of water daily to stay well-hydrated.

~ Makeup rules for summer

Keep it light! Layered foundation not only drips with sweat and looks patchy, but clogs the pores and aggravates pimples. Go for sheer loose powders and powder bronzers instead.

~ Emergency solutions

Apply icepacks and a layer of chilled calamine lotion (Markal, Calosoft etc) for an acute sunburn. If really painful, you can also mix in some Fluticasone cream (Flutivate cream). For heat rashes (prickly heat) again calamine lotion works well. Take some Vitamin C as well — a 500 mg tablet daily for 10 days or so — and wear loose clothing. If the conditions persist, consult a dermatologist. Tan removing treatments are also available nowadays. Mild tans can, however, be remedied at home with cucumber slices or tomato pulp applied for 10 minutes daily. Never try to bleach a sunburned area of the skin or you’ll end up causing irritation.

Follow these simple rules and your skin will remain your best asset this summer!

The good news is that your skin’s everlasting glow doesn’t take appointments at a beauty clinic and is not a result of skin products. It comes with a wee bit of hard work and care that needs to be woven into your regular lifestyle.
The formula is simple: Exercise + Healthy eating = Great skin

Exercise

Although you need a combination of cardiovascular exercise, weight training and flexibility for a fit body, the only workout you need for your skin to glow is cardiovascular exercise (walking/ aerobics/ cycling/ swimming).

~ How does it help?

When the body is undergoing a cardiovascular workout, the heart and lungs are pumping oxygen-rich blood vigorously. This blood travels all through your body supplying oxygen and it is what makes your skin look flushed at the time of exercise, after which you are left with a healthy and soft glow.

~ How often should you exercise and what should be the duration?

Work out at least 3 times a week for 45 minutes minimum. Your pace should be brisk and non-stop.

~ What kind of cardiovascular exercise should I opt for?

The choice is yours! Pick whichever form you enjoy most. If you like being by yourself, walk, cycle or swim. Group exercise like aerobics classes are a good option for fun-loving people, or if you like dancing and a variety of routines.

You can also do a mix of exercise styles.

~ Fringe benefits!

The big one is fat burn! That’s one of the nice things oxygen does for you! The other great thing is that it makes you live longer by strengthening your heart and lungs.

Psychological effects include feeling confident and simply feeling good post-exercise!

Eat healthy

Foods that are good for your health are good for your skin, too! Healthy foods and plenty of water allow your body to function better and prevent a build-up of toxins (it’s like using good fuel for your car), making your skin look fresh and glowing all the time.

~ A sample meal plan for beautiful skin

Breakfast:
Bowl of cereals with skimmed milk
Juicy fruit (oranges, lemons, strawberries, grapes etc)

Mid-morning:
Handful of nuts and dry fruit

Lunch:
Stir-fried vegetables of your choice. Include a range of colours — red, green, yellow etc. Eat with bread/ rice/ pasta/ roti. Cook veggies in light olive oil. Olive oil has fatty acids that are good for the body and skin.
OR
Whole grain sandwich with mixed vegetable/ fish stuffing.

Evening snack:
Bowl of mixed fruit with a low-fat yoghurt topping
OR
Vegetable strips (carrots/ radish/ capsicum/ french beans) with a low-fat yoghurt dip, or any other light dip of your choice.

Dinner:
Roasted/grilled/steamed fish. Paneer/mixed lentils for the veggies.
One portion of rice/ roti/ pasta/ bread
Boiled vegetables
Salad with lots of leafy greens like spinach, lettuce, aragula added to other veggies of your choice. Drizzle a dressing of extra virgin olive oil, lemon and salt.

More tips!

~ Drink a lot of water through the day especially before, during (only sip, don’t gulp!) & after exercise.

~ Stay away from fried, oily, sweet or processed foods. The fresher and more lightly cooked, the better.

As it is such a common affliction, everyone has their own favourite home remedies for acne. Most such remedies have their roots in authentic Ayurveda, but with time the origins have become blurred and the remedies diluted by baseless myths, so that it’s confusing for the lay person to decide what is worth doing and what is useless and likely to damage the skin.

Here are a few common home remedies for acne:

• Channa dal flour (split chickpea flourm, also known as besan): This is the most common ingredient in nearly all prescribed home remedies for acne. It has great de-greasing properties and is excellent for keeping skin oil-free, thereby helping to dry up acne without having to expose the skin to too much soap. Coarsely ground, it works well as an exfoliating scrub to open out the pores and decrease blackheads. Use it as a paste in combination with turmeric and honey to soften the skin. It can be used daily as a cleanser.
• Turmeric (haldi): It is a well-known disinfectant and kills the bacteria responsible for acne. Fresh roots pounded to a paste are preferable to using dry powdered turmeric. Its contact period to the skin should not exceed 10 minutes, as turmeric may cause irritation. The downside — an unappealing yellow hue to the skin and allergic reactions occasionally.
• Curd: Lactic acid in curd, like besan, is also a good exfoliator. It hydrates the skin well, helping to ease the dryness caused by strong anti-acne medications. Caution: High fat curd can actually increase the oiliness of skin and be a counter-productive, so use the skimmed milk variety.
• Sandalwood (chandan): My own grandmother never quit extolling the virtues of this magical skin medicine. She claimed the best way to use it was by rubbing a block of the wood itself on a stone slab, for half an hour with a few drops of water, till you got a muddy paste. You had to apply this fragrant pack on your face till it dried, then wash it off with rosewater. Since my grandmother had perfect skin till she died at 85, I cannot argue with her remedy! But a simpler option may be buying sandalwood powder or reconstitutable face packs from the market.
• Fuller’s earth (multani mitti): Also great for decreasing oil secretion and closing skin pores, it’s best used in combination with rose water and sandalwood paste. Do not use too frequently — about twice a week is enough — as it is an astringent and causes a burning sensation on sensitive skin.

In the course of my practice, I’ve come across people using every possible kitchen ingredient on their faces to control acne and it’s sad to see many a pretty face ruined by using the wrong remedies. I want to caution people against using things like garlic, onion juice or caustic soda that cause more harm than good. Also, do not torture yourselves with highly acidic substances like lemon juice, tamarind, vinegar or orange peel. Milk, cream, ghee etc are to be absolutely avoided on acne-prone skin. Do try to consult your dermatologist before using any home remedies, to discuss whether it is suitable for your skin and compatible with your ongoing acne treatment.

Though the best treatment for acne remains an individualised, planned regimen of oral medicines, topical gels for application, medical clean-ups and newer chemical peels — all properly planned and executed by a dermatologist — home remedies, if used wisely, can be good adjuvants to this therapy. They serve as efficient skin-cleansers and a cheap and easily available method of treatment in the early stages of acne.