4 Easiest Steps To Follow According To Your Skin Type & Concerns This Monsoon

The mere mention of monsoon to a person with oily skin elicits visuals of looking like tin-man. With significant increase in the humidity levels, the chip-chip weather leads to excessive sweating and sebum production which eventually becomes a breeding ground for pollutants like dust, dirt, and sweat that cause pesky breakouts.

That's why, it is absolutely essential that you use a face cleanser that takes off the grim in a jiffy; followed by an active serum formulated with exfoliants to get rid of the excess sebum, a light weight moisturiser to keep the skin moisturised without feeling heavy, and finally, a sunscreen that's light-weight but with a high SPF. 

Here’s a complete skincare routine:

With ample mild exfoliating action, The Face Shop Tea Tree Pore Gel Cleanser gently cleanses your face to remove dirt, oil, and pollutants while clearing clogged pores with hyper-exfoliating triple acids. It maintains the skin's natural moisture balance so it doesn't feel stretchy post use. Formulated with three types of exfoliants, AHA, IP-BHA, and PHA, its cleansing action is just what your skin needs after a long sticky day.

Nykaa Rating: 4.2/5

Serum does most of the heavy-lifting for oily skin since its concentrated well enough to treat active acne by penetrating deeper into the skin with the power of exfoliating agents like salicylic acid. This one from The Derma Co. is an all-rounder that is packed with the power of 2% Salicylic Acid & 5% Niacinamide, both active ingredients known for being saviours of oily skin. Additionally, this serum also works on acne marks like a pro with the added benefit of Alpha Arbutin!

Nykaa Rating: 4.2/5

Oily skin needs a moisturiser that's light, but provides enough hydration at the same time to keep it from getting dry and releasing extra sebum which is the number one cause of making the skin oily. The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA is a tried-and-tested moisturiser that keeps the outer layer of your skin protected and well-hydrated, without feeling greasy; thanks to ingredients like amino acids, fatty acids, triglycerides, urea, ceramides, phospholipids, glycerine, saccharides, sodium PCA, and hyaluronic acid.

Nykaa Rating: 4.3/5

The fluid-like texture of the Aqualogica Glow+ Dewy Sunscreen makes it the perfect choice for oily skin. It's lightweight, doesn't feel heavy and doesn't clog the pores. It has SPF 50 PA+++ protection and helps fight against UV rays as well as blue light for when you are cocooning indoors on a rainy day (but still have to apply sunscreen without fail). We like how this one comes with the added benefits of papaya and vitamin C that help with brightening the skin with continuous use.

Nykaa Rating: 4.4./5 

Dry skin automatically appears dull and during monsoon, and further gets aggravated since the cold outdoor weather, harsh winds, and rain showers can strip the skin of its natural, moisturising oils even further. Humidity on the other hand causes even more dryness and flakiness, and you might also notice invisible pores, tightness and dull-appearing skin due to the dry air causing your skin moisture to evaporate faster. Consider it osmosis for your skin and since no one wants to feel like a resin, it's essential that you keep your skin hydrated to the T!

We have said it, the internet's said it and all of us collectively agree that CeraVe's Hydrating Facial Cleanser is the GOAT for folks with dry skin. It is a non-foaming facial cleanser with a creamy texture that cleanses the skin with utmost softness while also moisturising it. This gentle cleanser has three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid which keep the skin feeling baby-soft. What we also love is that it is free from fragrance and non-comedogenic.

Nykaa Rating: 4.4/5

Hyaluronic acid is the it-girl of the skincare world and we absolutely love how it suits almost all skin types. However, it is a boon for dry, dull skin. L'Oreal's serum has a concentration of 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid which makes it an effective formula for keeping the skin hydrated and reducing fine lines, especially when your skin is battling it out with the humidity. It is also free from parabens, fragrance, alcohol and does not clog pores, nothing but the good stuff to help you achieve the lit-from-within skin of your dreams.

Nykaa Rating: 4.4/5

COSRX took over the internet with snail mucin, and there has been no turning back for them since! This daily repair cream consists of 92% snail secretion filtrate with 1,000 PPM hyaluronic acid, which truly feels and sounds like the most soothing thing that you can put on your face. It repairs damaged skin, provides long-lasting hydration, and relieves redness while also simultaneously building a moisture barrier for the skin. It's a great everyday moisturiser that will keep your skin healthy, nourished, and hydrated.

Nykaa Rating: 4.5/5

Don't skip on your sunscreen even if you plan to stay on indoors. Look for a sunscreen that gives your skin oodles of hydration, coupled with satisfactory sun protection (nothing less than SPF 50). And this one from Foxtale fits the memo just right! It has vitamin B3, vitamin B5 and vitamin E to keep the skin moisturised with an SPF 70 PA++++ protection.

Nykaa Rating: 4.3/5

Combination skin feels as if it's constantly torn between two options. It's not sure whether it wants to befriend dryness or excess oil, so it takes the middle ground and chooses to be a little of both, which isn't very fun, is it? That's why during the monsoons, the high humidity during can lead to an increase in sebum production in the T-zone, making it appear shiny and greasy while the cheeks and jawline may still experience dryness, especially if the skin is dehydrated. So, you can opt for a routine that lies in the middle of dry and oily. And, since pigmentation is a common skin concern for Indian skin, add brightening ingredients (like vitamin C) to the mix which also give slight exfoliation too. 

A gentle cleanser such a Cetaphil’s is perfect for those with combination skin as it ensures that your skin is not stripped off its natural moisture and still cleans your pores of all the dust and debris that tends to stick to it the second you step out, especially during the not-so-fun rains. Cetaphil's Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser has a nourishing cream-to-foam formula that maintains skin’s natural protective barrier and skin’s pH, ideal for combination skin beauties.

Nykaa Rating: 4.5/5

Vitamin C being an antioxidant that not only protects your skin against the environment but also helps brighten the skin with regular use. Add it to your routine to even out skin tone, reduce hyperpigmentation, and provide antioxidant protection. The light-weight formula and smooth texture applies on skin like water and gives a healthy glow post use when applied judiciously for weeks.

Nykaa Rating: 4.8/5

Dot & Key Vitamin C + E Super Bright Face Moisturizer has a gel formula, similar to that of sorbet, (more like likes orange sorbet!). Its non-comedogenic formula is enriched with both Vitamin C and E, which are antioxidants that protect you from environmental damage. We love how it gets instantly absorbed into the skin and provides just the right amount of hydration without making it feel oily.

Nykaa Rating: 4.3/5

Always apply a broad-spectrum SPF that has your back when the sun's harmful rays are in play during the day. This one from Deconstruct has a lightweight gel formula that's non-greasy and offers SPF 55+ PA+++ protection. It also has mattifying properties which is great for humid days. Additionally, it's free from fragrance so you need not worry about it aggravating acne. 

Nykaa Rating: 4.4/5

People with sensitive skin should heavily rely on skincare products that do not clog their pores during the monsoon, allowing them to avoid pesky comedones or whiteheads and blackheads. The key is to focus on gentle exfoliation, light moisturiation that helps to keep the natural moisture level intact, while also keeping the skin protected with a nice sunscreen.

Follow this routine for the same:

The Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Face Wash has been an OG in the world of face washes (or cleansers). It's known for working deep inside the skin and getting rid of all the dirt with ease so bid adieu to pesky bacteria that cause comedones. It lathers amazingly well and provides thorough cleansing action without any rigorous scrubbing which makes us always want to go back to this one when in doubt.

Nykaa Rating: 4.3/5

Their 10% Niacinamide Face Serum With Matmarine + Zinc is a foolproof purchase if you're tired of dealing with excess sebum, shine, enlarged pores, and spots, and want to put an end to your skin's chip-chip. Pure 10% Niacinamide promotes protein synthesis, lowering melanin concentrations and improving pigmentation without troubling the skin's barrier.

Nykaa Rating: 4.4/5

Non-clogging, lightweight moisturisers are your skin's bestie if you have sensitive skin. Stray away from thick, goopy creams that don't absorb and tend to leave oily residual on the skin's epidermis which in turn causes the pores to clog. Formulated with ceramide complex, it repairs the skin's compromised barrier while vitamin C complex brightens uneven skin tone. Also, it has ashwagandha extract that calms to help with inflammation and make the skin supple.

Nykaa Rating: 4.4/5

This Nivea sunscreen is especially formulated for folks with sensitive skin. The fragrance-free, non-comedogenic formula doesn't irritate the skin so there's no space for allergies or reactions. SPF 50 will guard you against the UVS and UVB rays. Also, since the formula is a little mattifying, you can easily wear it during the day when you are sweating because of the humidity.

Nykaa Rating: 4.5/5