The spring is here

Shahnaz Husain

The skin is influenced by seasonal changes and different conditions, like heat and humidity, or lack of it. With the approach of winter, the humidity in the air starts decreasing. People with normal to dry skin start experiencing a taut feeling in their skin after washing or cleansing. Those with oily skin complain that the skin feels dry after washing, but becomes oily and prone to eruptions, after applying creams.

Actually, oily skins can also be short of moisture when the season changes. As for normal to dry skin, it can become rough and flaky, or even highly sensitive, with rough red patches.

Effects on your skin with onset of spring

After winter and with the coming of spring, there can be problems like allergies, itching, rashes or inflamed skin. Pollutants and pollen in the air may be responsible. Among the organs of the body, the skin is one of the first to bear the brunt of skin irritants, leading to rash or eruptions. Use skincare products that cleanse the skin without disturbing the moisture balance.

The skin absorbs moisture during spring in the form of an emulsion of oil and water. For normal to dry skin, use a sunscreen, before going out in the sun, or use moisturiser, if you are indoors.

Glycerin & rose water

Apply a liquid moisturiser under make-up, before using foundation. For an oily or combination skin, apply sunscreen gel, which protects the skin without making it oily. To moisturise an oily skin, mix one teaspoon pure glycerin with 100 ml rose water. Keep it in an airtight bottle in the fridge. Use a little of this lotion after cleansing.

Honey & aloe vera

Honey, being a powerful humectant, attracts moisture to the skin. Honey helps to relieve dryness and suits all skin types. For oily skin, mix honey with egg white or lemon juice and apply on the skin daily, washing it off after 15 minutes with plain water. Aloe vera gel is also ideal for moisturising all skin types.

When it is spring

• Cleanse your skin every night to remove dirt, pollutants, make-up cosmetics, sweat and oil secretions.
• Select a cleansing gel for dry skin, cleansing milk for combination skin, or face wash for oily skin and medicated cleanser for acne-prone skin.
• Use scrubs to remove dead skin cells and brighten the skin, twice a week for oily skin and only once a week for dry skin.
• For dry skin, use a creamy moisturizer and also apply it under make-up.

Don’t do that

• Don’t wash the face with soap and water more than two or three times a day. Alkaline soaps can disrupt the normal pH balance and leave the skin prone to acne.
• For oily skin, mix 100 ml rose water with one teaspoon pure glycerin. Keep in airtight bottle in fridge. Apply this lotion to moisturize normal to oily and combination skin.
• Don’t apply facial scrub on pimples, acne or rash.

(Husain is a known beauty expert)