Summer tips: Ways to keep sticky skin at bay

Summer months bring along long sunny days and scorching heat. You arm yourself with a sunscreen to protect your skin. But there are times when you may end up with sticky skin. Read on to find out what to do to get rid of sticky skin this summer.

Health Shots connected with Dr Mahima Agarwal, Consultant, Dermatology, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi, regarding sticky skin during summer. She says summer is characterised by a rise in temperature and in exposure to sun rays. It goes without saying that during summer, we sweat more and so, the sweat tends to mix with natural oils of our face. This in turn, makes our skin sticky during summer.

Tips to get rid of sticky skin

When our sweat mixes with the oils and bacteria of our facial skin, it leads to clogging of pores. When that happens, you may end up with skin problems. Here’s what to do during summer:

1. Wash your face twice a day

Use a a facial cleanser twice a day to avoid the buildup of oil, sweat and dirt on your face, says the expert. Keeping your face clean is basically the key. You can choose the cleanser according to your skin type, so if you have sensitive or dry skin then go for products which say gentle or fragrance-free cleansers. If you have an oily skin type then you can use forming face washes or face washes meant for your skin type.

2. Use dry cloth

When you start sweating, it is important that you blot the sweat away. Use a dry cloth or a clean towel, but avoid wiping it over your face. That’s because wiping can lead to skin irritation and then can cause redness or bumps.

3. Wash sweaty headbands hats or clothes before wearing them again

Using sweaty clothes, towels or accessories can you lead to infections. Right after your workout, make sure that you change your tight fitted workout clothes and take a shower to remove the sweat. Avoid working out outdoors during the hottest part of the day and preferably stay in shaded areas.

4. Use summer skin care products

Summer skin care routine should be different from your winter one. The kind of skin care products that you use during winter and summer should also be different. For instance, during winter our skin tends to get dry so we need greasier products like ointments or creams whereas in summer we need lighter products like gels so that your skin remains oil-free.

5. Stay cool

You can use fans, take cold showers or stay in rooms with an air conditioner to keep the skin cool. Avoid stepping out when it is very hot because that can irritate the skin and cause heat rashes and make you feel itchy.

Women with an oily skin type tend to get more sticky during summer because it is the oil which mixes with the dirt and sweat to make the skin sticky. It is important for them to take care of their skin during summer by washing it twice followed by patting it dry and applying a lightweight lotion or water or gel-based moisturiser. They can top it off with a lightweight sunscreen while stepping outdoors. They should avoid using make-up as much as possible and remember to remove it whenever they are back home. This way the pores will not get clogged. It’s something that your skin will thank you for, as increased clogging of the pores can lead to more breakouts and bacterial infections.