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Clinical Dermatology•6 min read•Jul 22, 2022

Dr. Divya Sharma - 5 Monsoon Skin care Tips for Healthy Skin

5 Monsoon Skin care Tips for Healthy Skin Monsoon might be a great respite from the hot summer, but the unpredictable weather brings its own share of skincare i...

Dr. Divya Sharma
Dr. Divya Sharma, MBBS, MD
MBBS (Gold Medalist) • Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Dermatology
Dr. Divya Sharma - 5 Monsoon Skin care Tips for Healthy Skin

5 Monsoon Skin care Tips for Healthy Skin

Monsoon might be a great respite from the hot summer, but the unpredictable weather brings its own share of skincare issues. The rising levels of humidity and dampness may give rise to skin allergies and fungal infections. Your skin is also more prone to acne breakouts during the rainy season.

Simple changes in the skincare regime can be very beneficial. Here are 5 tips to incorporate into your monsoon skincare routine.

Using soap-free cleansers

#1 Switch to soap-free cleansers

Regular face wash might be great otherwise but it can strip skin of its natural oils. Switch to soap-free face wash for monsoon, which is gentle on your skin. Avoid over-washing your face as it leads to excess sebum which could clog pores and cause breakouts. 

Applying mild exfoliators

#2 Use mild exfoliators

Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and restores a healthy glow. With excessive dampness in the air, your skin can turn into a breeding ground for a lot of germs. This can lead to serious acne and other skin infections. A gentle exfoliator can help you keep your skin clean and prevent infections. Exfoliate at least twice a week and wash off with lukewarm water. Dr. Divya Sharma highly recommends using a chemical exfoliator instead of brushes and loofahs.

Switch to alcohol-free toners

#3 Switch to alcohol-free toners

Maintaining pH levels of your skin in the monsoon can be tricky due to the high moisture levels. Switch to a non-alcoholic toner with ingredients such as green tea extract (an antioxidant) or glycolic acid (a mild exfoliant). Toners can leave skin feeling fresh but do not change pore size or treat acne.  Follow up with a good moisturiser.

Use moisturiser and sunscreen

#4 Don’t skip moisturiser and sunscreen  

The cloudy skies and high humidity levels might make you want to skip the sunscreen and moisturisers. But on the contrary monsoon weather tends to make skin dry and dull. Moisturiser in general is a must for all seasons no matter the skin type. The same applies to sunscreen. Just because the sun is not visible doesn’t mean you give up on sunscreen. Sunscreen is a must for protection against powerful UV rays. Lightweight, non-greasy sunscreen with hyaluronic acid or aloe vera with a minimum 30 SPF is perfect for monsoon.

Stay hydrated for healthy skin

#5 Stay hydrated

Hydration is the key to glowing skin. Staying hydrated supports general health, but acne is caused by factors such as sebum, bacteria and hormones. So, drink plenty of water. Well-hydrated skin looks radiant. In addition, try including vitamin C in your diet. Have lukewarm water with lime throughout the day. Drink orange juice or eat citrus fruits. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and helps boost your immunity.

Healthy skin and clear skin

Monsoon causes many skin infections. While you focus on your face don’t forget to show some love to your entire body. Due to high humidity and dampness, fungal infections in the feet and other folds of the skin are very common in monsoons. Make sure you apply antifungal powder post-shower to avoid infections in the monsoon.

5 Monsoon Skin care Tips for Healthy Skin

Monsoon might be a great respite from the hot summer, but the unpredictable weather brings its own share of skincare issues. The rising levels of humidity and dampness may give rise to skin allergies and fungal infections. Your skin is also more prone to acne breakouts during the rainy season.

Simple changes in the skincare regime can be very beneficial. Here are 5 tips to incorporate into your monsoon skincare routine.

Using soap-free cleansers

#1 Switch to soap-free cleansers

Regular face wash might be great otherwise but it can strip skin of its natural oils. Switch to soap-free face wash for monsoon, which is gentle on your skin. Avoid over-washing your face as it leads to excess sebum which could clog pores and cause breakouts. 

Applying mild exfoliators

#2 Use mild exfoliators

Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and restores a healthy glow. With excessive dampness in the air, your skin can turn into a breeding ground for a lot of germs. This can lead to serious acne and other skin infections. A gentle exfoliator can help you keep your skin clean and prevent infections. Exfoliate at least twice a week and wash off with lukewarm water. Dr. Divya Sharma highly recommends using a chemical exfoliator instead of brushes and loofahs.

Switch to alcohol-free toners

#3 Switch to alcohol-free toners

Maintaining pH levels of your skin in the monsoon can be tricky due to the high moisture levels. Switch to a non-alcoholic toner with ingredients such as green tea extract (an antioxidant) or glycolic acid (a mild exfoliant). Toners can leave skin feeling fresh but do not change pore size or treat acne.  Follow up with a good moisturiser.

Use moisturiser and sunscreen

#4 Don’t skip moisturiser and sunscreen  

The cloudy skies and high humidity levels might make you want to skip the sunscreen and moisturisers. But on the contrary monsoon weather tends to make skin dry and dull. Moisturiser in general is a must for all seasons no matter the skin type. The same applies to sunscreen. Just because the sun is not visible doesn’t mean you give up on sunscreen. Sunscreen is a must for protection against powerful UV rays. Lightweight, non-greasy sunscreen with hyaluronic acid or aloe vera with a minimum 30 SPF is perfect for monsoon.

Stay hydrated for healthy skin

#5 Stay hydrated

Hydration is the key to glowing skin. Staying hydrated supports general health, but acne is caused by factors such as sebum, bacteria and hormones. So, drink plenty of water. Well-hydrated skin looks radiant. In addition, try including vitamin C in your diet. Have lukewarm water with lime throughout the day. Drink orange juice or eat citrus fruits. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and helps boost your immunity.

Healthy skin and clear skin

Monsoon causes many skin infections. While you focus on your face don’t forget to show some love to your entire body. Due to high humidity and dampness, fungal infections in the feet and other folds of the skin are very common in monsoons. Make sure you apply antifungal powder post-shower to avoid infections in the monsoon.

References & Further Reading

Claims on this page have been reviewed against current peer-reviewed literature and clinical guidelines, including:

  1. Hughes MC, et al. Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2013. PubMed PMID: 23732711
  2. Lim HW, et al. International modified Delphi consensus statement on visible light photoprotection: effects, measurement, and recommendations. J Invest Dermatol. 2026. PubMed PMID: 42101389
  3. Purnamawati S, et al. The role of moisturizers in addressing various kinds of dermatitis: a review. Clin Med Res. 2017. PubMed PMID: 29229630
#Clinical Dermatology#Dermatology#Dr. Divya Sharma#Skin Health
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