Managing Oily Skin & Breakouts in Humid Weather (India Edition)
Written by: Zahabiya Ali
@Pexels
Peak summers in India are not for beginners! The rising temperature is accompanied with humidity, sweat and acne breakouts. This is particularly true and concerning for those with oily and acne prone skin. “Increased sweating can create a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria. When sweat and oil get trapped in pores, it can lead to inflammation and breakouts. Environmental factors like pollutants, dust, and allergens, can also irritate the skin, specifically for individuals with sensitive or reactive skin”, explains Dr. Ishmeet Kaur, a consultant dermatologist.
While one cannot absolutely avoid going out or significantly eliminate the weather exposure, there are a lot of things to take into account, in order to prevent summer breakouts. With the expert on-board, we share most valuable insights for oily skin and breakouts in humid climate
The Expert
Dr. Ishmeet Kaur is a Delhi-based dermatologist and co-founder of Dermosphere clinic.
Dr. Ishmeet Kaur completed her MBBS (MAMC), MD (UCMS), and bagged several scholarships like American Academy of Dermatology Scholarship, European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Scholarship and World Congress of Dermatology Scholarship. She has more than eight years of experience in handling skin, hair and aesthetic issues. She has also authored the book: Good Skin Bad Skin. Kaur has contributed in more than 100 publications and chapters in high esteemed books.
The Impact Humidity Has on Oily Skin
Once you decipher the oily skin antics, it gets relatively easier to mitigate the effects of humid and hot weather on your skin. Simply put, oily skin has enlarged pores and overactive sebaceous glands that produce an oily substance called sebum, that helps lubricate and protect the skin.
“Excess sebum build up on the skin surface can clog pores and contribute to the development of breakouts. During summers, factors like heat, humidity, and increased sweat production tend to exacerbate pore congestion”, says Kaur. “Oily skin provides an ideal environment for acne causing bacteria to thrive. Pollutants, dust, and allergens, can further irritate and inflame oily skin, leading to increased breakouts”, she adds.
Another issue pertaining to oily skin is the greasy shine that sits permanently on the T-zone and other areas of your countenance. This acts as a magnet for attracting free radicals, dirt and grime which ultimately leads to pimples and dull skin.
Why the Weather Impacts your Skincare Choices
Skin concerns in India have also soared due to factors like heavy usage of skincare products. Your skincare regimen needs to be tailor-made for every season.
Lathering layers or using intense moisturizers, including comedogenic sunscreens need to take a backseat during humid climate. “While sunscreen is essential for protecting the skin from harmful UV rays, some formulations can be comedogenic or occlusive, especially when not deeply cleansed at the end of the day. Opt for gel-based sunscreen to prevent sebaceous skin concerns”, suggests Kaur.
“To avoid acne and breakouts during summers, incorporating a combination of skincare hacks, targeted treatments, and lifestyle adjustments can help keep your skin clear and healthy” iterates Kaur. Here are the best guidelines provided by Kaur.
Essential Skincare Tips for Oily Skin in Humidity
While crafting a humidity-specific skincare routine, the aim is to keep the pores unclogged and maintain clear, healthy skin. This also involves keeping the grimy shine at bay.
From finding the best face wash for oily skin to stocking up on mattifying moisturizers, there are a slew of skincare changes that you need to switch up. Kaur underlines a step-by-step self care repertoire to avoid acne and remain cool under the sweltering Indian summers.
Deep Cleanse your Skin
Under your CTM rituals, the daily face cleansing must have a weekly (or twice a week) addition of exfoliation as well. Speaking of oily skin, ensure that your beauty shelf is stocked with gentle and non-abrasive products.
Use a gentle cleanser twice daily to remove excess oil, sweat, and impurities from the skin's surface without stripping away essential moisture. Look for cleansers with ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to help unclog pores and prevent breakouts.
Incorporate exfoliation, after discussing with your dermatologist, into your skincare routine 1-2 times per week to remove dead skin cells and prevent pore congestion. Choose a gentle exfoliant with ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) to promote cell turnover and keep pores clear.
“To avoid acne and breakouts during summers, incorporating a combination of skincare hacks, targeted treatments, and lifestyle adjustments can help keep your skin clear and healthy.”
Stay Hydrated In and Out
For supple and glowing skin from within, hydration is crucial. Even with numerous reiterations, we fail to provide our body and skin adequate hydration. Here’s what Kaur suggests:
Oil-Free Moisturizer
Opt for lightweight, oil-free moisturizers that won't clog pores or exacerbate oiliness. Look for non-comedogenic formulations that provide hydration without adding excess shine to the skin.
Increase your Water Intake
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day to help maintain skin hydration and promote overall skin health. Dehydrated skin can produce more oil to compensate for lack of moisture, leading to increased breakouts.
Everyday Essentials for Skin Protection
The importance of SPF is well-known, but what kind of sunscreen to buy from the endless SPF aisle or digital scrolls? The expert advice from Kaur is as follows.
Sunscreen
Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day. Choose oil-free, non-comedogenic or mattifying sunscreens specifically designed for oily or acne-prone skin to avoid pore congestion and breakouts.
Targeted treatments to address acne
Incorporate targeted treatments into your skincare routine to address acne and breakouts.
Kaur advises that you should consult your dermatologist to include ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin, salicylic acid, or oral antibiotics/retinoids to reduce inflammation and promote the healing of acne.
Make-up Hacks for Humid Weather
For combination and oily skin types, ensuring a seamless and long-lasting makeup can be tricky. From mattifying primers to hydrating toners, the right arsenal of products can help you achieve the perfect, non-greasy, non-shiny base.
Opt for lightweight makeup with a mattifying and oil-free formula that controls shine and doesn’t turn patchy in a few hours.
Ensure that your makeup brushes and sponges are cleansed and bacteria-free.
Use oil-absorbing sheets or blotting papers to gently blot away excess oil and shine from the skin's surface throughout the day, especially in hot and humid weather.
Set the makeup right with a transparent powder and seal your base. Finish off with a hydrating fixer spray, so your makeup won’t budge.
Switch-Up Your Fashion & Lifestyle Basics
Kaur emphasizes on miscellaneous factors that need your attention when it comes to maintaining acne-free skin during humid and hot hours. These are some small and simple tweaks you must address:
Wear lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton or moisture-wicking materials to help keep sweat and moisture away from the skin, reducing the risk of clogged pores and body zits.
Regularly wash towels, pillowcases, and any items that come into contact with your skin to remove dirt, oil, and bacteria. Use fragrance-free laundry detergents to avoid irritation and breakouts.
Incorporate a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains to support skin health from the inside out. Limit consumption of high-glycemic foods, sugary snacks, and dairy products, which can aggravate acne breakouts.
In order to redeem your best skin days, these pointers including skincare hacks and lifestyle tweaks can come handy. However, to garner wholesome results, remember to not over-do.
Our skin needs special care and overuse of products and treatments can do more harm.
A few simple adjustments can show substantial outcomes, “consistency and patience are key, as it may take time to see results from these changes in your skincare routine. If breakouts persist or worsen, consider consulting with a dermatologist for personalized recommendations and treatment options tailored to your skin's needs”, informs Kaur.
