Ah, monsoon season! It’s the time of year when the earth smells fresh, the air feels cool, and everything seems alive. But along with the beauty of rain, it also comes with the challenges of taking care of your skin and hair.
The internet is flooded with advice on how to take care of yourself during this time of year, but not all of it is worth following. Rising humidity and unpredictable weather conditions can have devastating effects on our skin and hair, and with so many beauty tips and tricks being inundated with them. In fact, some of them may do more harm than good, just because something seems logical doesn’t mean it’s the best course of action.
So, let’s look closer at the skin care and hair care tips that I won’t follow this monsoon season and why you should avoid them –
5 Pieces of Skin and Hair Care Advice I Would Never Follow This Monsoon Season
1. Skipping Moisturizer Because It’s Humid –
The misconception that monsoon will provide enough moisture for your skin is a recipe for disaster. The air may be humid, but that doesn’t mean your skin will be. In fact, in return your skin can become dehydrated and produce more oil to compensate, leading to breakouts and an uneven skin texture. As moisturizer leaves your skin vulnerable to dryness, irritation, and even breakouts it’s always good to pick one in monsoon too.
2. Washing Hair Daily to Combat Frizz –
This is a common misconception. Washing frequently strips your hair of its natural oils, making it dry and brittle. However, during monsoon, your scalp may feel oilier than usual due to increased humidity. For most hair types, washing your hair every other day, or even less during monsoon, is fine. However, if your scalp is overly oily, a gentle wash with a clarifying shampoo may help. Listen to your hair and scalp – if it feels oily, it may need rinsing. However, avoid washing it every day as it may become too dry.
3. Using Heavy Creams and Oils –
In the humid monsoon season, heavy moisturizers and oils can clog your pores and cause breakouts and acne. They cause the skin to become oily, which blocks its ability to breathe and increases any pre-existing skin problems. Since there is already a lot of moisture in the air during the monsoon, your skin doesn’t need as much moisture as it does during the winter. The natural balance of your skin might be upset by using excessive cosmetics. Start applying a thin layer of moisturizing cream every day, preferably lightweight ones. Seek hydrating compounds that don’t feel heavy, like hyaluronic acid.
4. Tight Braids and Ponytails –
While it may be a good idea to keep your hair out of your face during the monsoon, tight hairstyles like braids, ponytails and cornrows can put strain on your hair follicles. This constant pulling disrupts your hair’s natural growth cycle. Over time, hair follicles can become weakened and inflamed, eventually leading to a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. This type of hair loss usually occurs around the hairline, temples and areas where hair is held taut.
5. Hot water showers every day in Monsoon –
A steamy hot shower is a real luxury on a cool, humid monsoon day. It’s incredibly relaxing and soothing. However, the initial warmth comes at a cost to your skin and hair. Hot water acts like a magnet, attracting and stripping away the natural oils that your skin and scalp produce.
These oils are important for maintaining moisture levels. Keeping skin supple and hair healthy and shiny. When hot water strips away these substances, your skin and hair are left dry, irritated, and vulnerable. If you choose lukewarm water, you can get the same cleansing benefits without the ill effects. Warm water gently cleanses your skin and hair without stripping them of the oils they need to stay healthy and moisturized.
Experiences matters when it is about skin and hair care and one of them is of Jyoti our beloved customer as she was fighting breakouts after trying to one of the misconception –
Jyoti shivered as a cool monsoon breeze swept through her window. The rain was a welcome change from the scorching summer heat, but it also brought its own set of beauty woes. This year, Jyoti was determined to avoid the monsoon skincare disaster she’d experienced the year before.
“Heavy oils are the key to glowing skin during the monsoon,” her well-meaning aunt had advised. Jyoti, eager for a radiant complexion, religiously slathered a thick oil on her face every night. At first, it felt luxurious, but soon, a nightmare unfolded. Painful red rashes bloomed across her cheeks, and her once-manageable shine turned into uncontrollable greasiness.
For weeks, Jyoti fought the breakout. She tried everything – switching cleansers, applying masks, even spot treatments – but nothing seemed to budge. Her skin felt suffocated under the weight of the oil, constantly slick and irritated.
Finally, Jyoti realized her mistake. Heavy oils might work wonders in dry winters, but during the monsoon’s humidity, they were a recipe for disaster. She ditched it and replaced it with a lightweight, water-based Skin Toner from a brand called “The Purple Soul.” The Aloe Vera enriched toner became her new morning ritual, effectively removing excess oil without stripping her skin. Excited by its wonderful effects, she explored the Monsoon Care Combo, a tempting duo of a Skin Toner and Hair Serum. The hair serum, to her surprise, kept her hair frizz-free and surprisingly non-greasy.
Within a few weeks, the transformation was remarkable. Her breakouts subsided, replaced by a healthy sheen. Her skin no longer felt suffocated, but comfortably hydrated. And her hair, once a tangled mess, now swished with newfound shine and manageability.
Jyoti’s monsoon season experience became a valuable lesson. It taught her the importance of understanding her skin and hair’s specific needs, especially during the unique challenges of the monsoon.
Though it becomes a reminder for all of us that sometimes, less is truly more, and that opting for skin targeted products can make all the difference in achieving healthy, beautiful skin and hair, even during the wettest season.