Combat Dry Skin This Summer With This Skin Care Regimen

Step 1: Cleansing

Regardless of your skin type, cleansing is a non-negotiable step in your skincare routine. Cleansing helps to deep cleanse the pores, eliminate dirt, oil and impurities. If you’re struggling with dry skin, use a gentle facial cleanser (twice a day in your AM and PM routine) that removes all the grime, oil and pollutants from your skin without stripping off its natural oils. While choosing a cleanser, go for a non-foaming, creamy consistency that cleanses and hydrates your skin. Gently massage the product for at least 60 seconds for it to work on all the areas of your face and deeply cleanse the impurities. Avoid using a face wash more than twice a day, as it will make your skin drier and may cause flakiness, patches and irritation. You can use a face mist or just splash cold water to refresh your face during the day.

Nykaa recommends

Cetaphil Daily Exfoliating Cleanser

Kickstart your day with this gentle yet effective face cleanser that removes oil, dirt and impurities without irritating or over-drying your skin. It contains microbeads and skin conditioners that buff away dull and dry skin cells and promotes natural skin cell turnover. It is infused with bamboo and coconut extract, and enriched with the goodness of vitamin complex and glycerin that delivers soft, smooth, and radiant skin.

Step 2: Toning

A rather underrated step in most skincare routines, toner is a must for dry skin types. It helps balance the pH level of your skin, removes any dirt, and residue, and soothes your skin. Toners also help hydrate and refresh your skin instantly and can be used whenever your skin feels dry. Take a few drops of toner on a cotton pad and gently wipe it across your face and neck. Or spritz it on your skin, and let it absorb well into the skin before moving to the moisturiser.

Pro tip: While buying a toner, avoid ingredients like alcohol as it can further dry your skin out.

Nykaa recommends

Plum 3% Niacinamide Toner With Rice Water - Vitamin B3 With Japanese Fermented Rice Water

Infused with superstar ingredients like rice water and niacinamide, this alcohol-free toner helps minimise fine lines and wrinkles, reduces the appearance of enlarged pores and clears blemishes. It is also known to regulate sebum production, soothe the skin and give you visibly smooth and hydrated skin.

Step 3: Applying a Facial Serum

Layering your skin with the right products is extremely crucial for skin care during summer. A serum is infused with active ingredients that help keep your skin hydrated and healthy even in the summer heat. Start with a vitamin C serum, which will prevent sun damage, reduce the appearance of early signs of ageing and work on dark spots and pigmentation. You can follow up with a hyaluronic acid or a niacinamide serum that will help protect the skin barrier and provide hydration and nourishment.

Nykaa recommends

L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Hydrating Serum With 1.5 % Hyaluronic Acid

Beat skin dryness in summer with the hydrating properties of this hyaluronic acid serum for your face. Known to reduce fine lines by up to 60%, it penetrates deep into the skin to give visible results. Add a few drops on your cleansed face and gently massage it for hydrated, plump and youthful skin.

Step 4: Use A Hydrating Moisturiser

Keeping your skin hydrated is the key to preventing dry skin in summer. While looking for the best moisturiser for dry skin in summer, make sure that it contains emollients, humectants and occlusives. These ingredients help add moisture to the skin barrier, prevent moisture loss and help keep your skin hydrated and plump. Look for moisturisers that are lightweight and absorb easily into the skin. It is advised that you should avoid using moisturisers with a thicker consistency in the morning as they can make your skin greasy and clog pores. Instead, you can use night creams and moisturisers at night as they would penetrate better into the deeper layers and help nourish your skin overnight.

Nykaa recommends

Simple Kind To Skin Protecting Light Moisturiser SPF 15

Enriched with glycerine and vitamin E, this lightweight moisturiser is one of the best moisturisers for dry skin in summer. It hydrates your skin and improves its health while penetrating deeper into its layer. A cream-based moisturiser with SPF 15, it will make sure your skin stays hydrated and soft all day long.

Step 5: Apply Sunscreen

Sunscreen is the non-negotiable step of any skincare routine. It protects your skin against UV rays that can cause free radical damage and premature ageing. Sunscreens also prevent pigmentation and dark spots, keeping your skin healthy. For people with dry skin, it is best to look for sunscreens that combine nourishment and protection in their formula. Look for a sunscreen that includes moisturising ingredients and is lightweight. Additionally, makeup products with SPF may not be sufficient enough to protect your skin against sun damage. Therefore, use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or above before applying makeup and reapply after every two hours.

Nykaa recommends

Dr. Sheth's Ceramide & Vitamin C Sunscreen

Enriched with vitamin C and ceramides, this sunscreen protects your skin from harmful UV rays and prevents sun damage. It strengthens the skin barrier, prevents micro pigmentation, and provides protection against UV and blue light too. The non-sticky texture and no white cast makes this sunscreen a must-have for a summer skincare routine for dry skin.