Monsoon Skin Problems: Why Your Face Suddenly Feels Different in the Rainy Season and How to Fix It

Have you ever realized how your skin acts like a totally different personality as soon as the rains start? One day, you had that smooth skin due to summer, but on another day, your face feels sticky before noon time, and you find some little bumps around your forehead area, and even your makeup looks terrible on your face. It’s always the story of monsoon skin issues, one of the most prevalent but rarely comprehended skin conditions in India. Almost everyone starts blaming their face wash or goes into panic mode and begins changing their products. However, there are other major reasons behind this condition. This guide will help you comprehend what exactly is happening to your skin in the rainy season and how to deal with it using natural methods that work for Indian skin.

There is one particular thing that monsoon does to Indian skin. Once the humidity levels rise above 70%, the evaporation process of sweat slows down and keeps oil and dead skin cells stuck on the skin's surface. The skin barrier, which acts like the thin protective shield that keeps germs and pollutants away, is weakened due to the humidity levels. Throw in the presence of rainwater, which is slightly acidic and carries all kinds of pollutants from the urban environment, and the result is that even normal skin acts strangely.

There are some skin problems that appear during the monsoon season that people should be aware of. In this way, you will be able to know whether you require immediate treatment or not. Some of the common skin problems that appear during monsoons are:

* Acne breakout and whiteheads on forehead, chin and cheeks
* Greasy and sticky skin even after a few hours of cleaning
* Fungal acne: small and equal sized bumps in groups mostly on forehead
* Dull skin tone even when there is less sunlight
* Itchy skin rashes around hairline and neck
* Pore enlargement and blackheads in the nose
* Skin infection in humid spots such as under arms and back
* Sudden sensitivity towards skincare products

Acne in the monsoons is not the same as what you get during summers. In summers, oiliness and dust are the two factors responsible for this type of breakout. During the monsoon season, there are three things that come together to create monsoon acne. The high level of humidity makes your sweat evaporation slow down. This results in pore clogging much more quickly. The increase in airborne bacteria and fungus thrives due to the wetness and heat. Also, the sticky feeling prompts most people to rub their faces. The combination gives rise to both acne as well as fungal acne.

Herein lies the mistake made by many Indians during monsoon. Fungal acne is similar to regular acne in appearance but requires entirely opposite treatment procedures. Regular acne presents itself as varied bumps – some large, some small, and some pus-filled in different parts of the face. On the contrary, fungal acne is seen in the form of tiny and uniform-sized bumps that cause itching and are found in groups, typically on the forehead, hairline, and upper back area. If you feel that your breakout is itchy in nature, has a patch of identical bumps, and does not react to your regular facewash for acne, then it is fungal acne.

While your product’s ingredient list takes precedence over its brand when monsoons strike, some ingredients suit your skin better than others in such a climate. Here is a list of ingredients that you should look out for during monsoon time:
Salicylic acid – cleanses clogged pores and manages acne
Niacinamide – manages excessive sebum production, minimizes redness
Tea tree oil – natural antibacterial and antifungal properties
Neem and turmeric – Indian herbs used for infection management
Aloe vera – soothes inflammation without adding oiliness
Vitamin C – revitalizes dull and tired skin
Hyaluronic acid – moisturizing without weighing your skin down

Stay away from heavy oils, thick creams, and harsh exfoliating agents during monsoon time.

There is an elegant approach of Ayurveda to explain why monsoon affects your skin. As per classic teachings, monsoon season provokes Pitta Dosha, responsible for heat and inflammation inside the body. With increased Pitta, skin tends to suffer from acne, redness, and irritation. Ayurvedic treatment of monsoon skin aims at soothing both internal and external factors. Natural ingredients such as neem, turmeric, sandalwood, and rose water are usually applied for their cooling and anti-inflammatory nature. Warm herbal tea, light food, and relaxing skin care routines also help to regulate Pitta internally.

Your skin is a mirror to your inner health. During monsoons, when the digestion process gets slowed down, skin issues can become aggravated simply due to your diet. A couple of minor changes go a long way:

• Drink 2 to 3 litres of water even when you don't feel thirsty.
• Eat freshly cooked warm meals instead of raw salads and street food.
• Add seasonal fruits like jamun, pomegranate, and pear to your diet.
• Avoid excess dairy, sugar, and deep-fried snacks.
• Sip warm turmeric or ginger water once a day.
• Sleep for 7 to 8 hours a day; most of the skin healing occurs during sleep.
• Cleanse your face after every contact with rainwater with lukewarm water.

Such small changes have the ability to heal your skin better than any pricey skincare product out there.

Many skin problems that people experience during the monsoon season do not have anything to do with using incorrect skin care products. The following are some common mistakes that you need to avoid:

* Not applying sunscreen because there is no sun
* Using creams meant for the winter season
* Frequent washing of the face, leading to loss of natural oils
* Not using separate towels and face brushes for yourself
* Using heavy makeup that blocks your pores
* Popping pimples and scratching irritated areas
* Not changing your pillow cases frequently during the monsoon.
* Neglecting your feet, back, and underarms where infections can develop Many of the above-listed problems can be resolved by avoiding these simple mistakes.

The majority of skin issues arising during monsoon are resolved by themselves in four to six weeks' time. But there are some issues that require medical intervention. You should consult the skin doctor if you have observed:

1. Cystic and painful acne not responding to face wash
2. Dark patches on your skin spreading very fast
3. Patches that itch, flake, or bleed
4. Rashes for more than two weeks
5. Any skin issue that comes back repeatedly during monsoon

Having skin problems during the monsoon season may get you irritated and annoyed, but the good news is that these skin problems are pretty easy to handle. So, how do you handle these skin problems? Well, there is no need to buy new products; it is simply because you have to realize that your skin is reacting to the environmental changes and take appropriate measures. Wash, moisturize, and protect. Nourish your beauty and skin from within with a proper diet and drinking plenty of water. Rely on nature’s best gifts such as salicylic acid, niacinamide, neem, and tea tree, which do great wonders in India’s humid environment.