With summers almost here, remember – it brings more than just rising temperatures and mangoes. For your skin, the heatwave means one thing: trouble. Oily T-zones suddenly turn into full-blown breakouts, while surprisingly, other parts of your face may feel tight, flaky, or irritated. It’s a confusing mix of extremes – but you’re not alone. Indian skin, being its own unique melanin-rich structure, reacts differently to the seasons. And summer, with its humid stickiness, pollution, and long hours of sun exposure, tends to bring on both acne and dryness in the same skin type. Therefore, if your skincare is on a seesaw of late, here’s your step-by-step guide to bring the balance back. Acne Breakouts: The Sweat + Oil + Pollution Combo During summer, your sebaceous glands (aka oil factories) go into overdrive. Excess sweating, oil clogged with dirt from outside and the pores become blocked. What’s the result? Whiteheads, blackheads, and, ouch, those cystic bumps. Indian skin is also particularly prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) – that is, the aftermath of a breakout can linger on in the form of dark spots that can last months. And all that sun exposure? Dr. Aparna Santhanam, Skin Expert and Dermatologist, ITC Dermafique, says, “Summer pimple picking can result in chronic black spots due to sun exposure. One has to treat acne with absolutely caution and avoid all sun exposure to avoid pigmentation.” This is what she recommends: • Cleanse Smart: Wash with a pH-balanced cleanser twice a day to remove sweat and grime without stripping skin of its natural oils. • Target Your Pores: Introduce niacinamide to your skincare regime – this superhero ingredient regulates sebum, decreases redness, and fortifies your skin barrier. • Hands Off Policy: Refrain from picking, popping, or touching your acne – it only makes it worse and makes dark spots more recurrent. • Sun Protection is Key: Don’t skip sunscreen, even if you’re indoors. Opt for a sunscreen with full light technology, offering an overall solution. 2. Dry, Irritated Skin: Yes, It Occurs During Summers as Well Dryness is the first thing to think of in winter, but summers can be brutal as well – in sneaky ways. Too much sun exposure, the drying action of air-conditioned spaces, and harsh face cleansers can make your skintight, scratchy, or itchy. Ironically, most people don’t use moisturizer in the summer, thinking it’ll make them oilier – an old wives’ myth that may do more harm than good. When the protective barrier of the skin is broken, not only is moisture lost, but your skin also becomes hyper-sensitive to allergens and pollutants. Dr. Aparna goes on: “People wrongly think moisturizers are only for dry skin or winter.” But hydration is necessary throughout the year to maintain your skin barrier. Choose a light, gel moisturizer with hyaluronic acid – it hydrates without the heaviness. Swap harsh cleansers for sulfate-free cleansers that won’t dry the skin out. Listen to Your Skin Your skin is always talking to you – especially during summers. Whether it’s too oily, too dry, or just over it, the key is to adjust in between. Summer skin care isn’t about piling it on or skipping moisturizing – it’s all about balance.