Summer makeup for oily skin

Original Source: Priya Chaphekar/http://femina.in/

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Whether you like the no makeup look or not, you are forced to stick to it throughout the summer season. Things get worse when you have an oily skin and you have no choice but to put aside your makeup kit till the weather cools down. Here are five tips to sweat-proof your face during those hot summer days.

The CTM ritual

Before starting off with your makeup, it’s important to prep your skin. Now just because you have overactive oil glands doesn’t mean you damage it by over-cleansing. Cleanse using a mild cleanser to avoid stripping your skin of its natural oils. Next, use an alcohol-free toner to get rid of excess oil. Complete the basic CTM regimen with a mattifying oil-free moisturiser. A tinted moisturiser with an SPF is a good choice as well.

Pick a primer

Begin the makeup with a smooth, shine-free, matte primer which will not only prevent your makeup from sliding off and make it last for a longer period of time, but also help to absorb excess oil. Don’t forget to apply a bit on your eyelids to keep the eye makeup in place.

Skip the foundation

If you have an oily skin, it isn’t a good idea to slather on too many products. If you’ve already used a tinted moisturiser, you don’t really need a foundation. But if you have to, pick an oil-free or mineral based one and blend it well on selected areas. Using a concealer would be a good idea as it won’t clog your pores and cause breakouts.

Powder power

Make loose translucent powder your best friend. Along with the primer, it will seal the look, make it last for a longer period and prevent the oily sheen. Gently press the powder into your face rather than brushing it vigorously with a powder brush as this can unsettle the rest of the makeup. Make sure you don’t go overboard with it as well and use it sparingly on problem areas.

Keep blotting paper handy

Even though your makeup is oil-free, a night out at a sweaty club is sure to make you look disastrous the minute you’re out. So it’s important to keep a few blotting papers in your purse and gently press it on the areas to absorb any greasiness during your loo breaks. The trick is to gently dab and not rub to refresh your look in mere moments.

Sunblock

Why is it important to use sunscreen? 

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Skin damage from sunlight builds up with continued exposure, whether sunburn occurs or not. In addition to skin cancer and sunburn, other effects can include wrinkling, premature aging, and in time, an almost leathery appearance of the skin. Research also suggests that excessive exposure to UV radiation may interfere with the body's immune system. 

Sunburn is associated with the shorter ultraviolet wavelengths, known as ultraviolet B (UVB). The longer wavelengths, known as ultraviolet A (UVA), however, can penetrate the skin and damage connective tissue at deeper levels, even if the skin's surface feels cool. It is important to limit exposure to both UVA and UVB. 

Sunscreens play an important role in a total program to reduce the harmful effects of the sun, along with limiting sun exposure and wearing protective clothing. FDA regulates sunscreens as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Cosmetic products that are marketed with sun-protection claims are regulated as both drugs and cosmetics. 

To help consumers select products that best suit their needs, sunscreens are labeled with SPF numbers. SPF stands for "Sun Protection Factor." The higher the SPF number, the more sunburn protection the product provides. Remember, sunscreen use alone will not prevent all of the possible harmful effects of the sun. 

The effectiveness of a sunscreen is reduced if it is not applied in adequate amounts or it is washed off, rubbed off, sweated off, or otherwise removed. For maximum effectiveness, apply a sunscreen liberally and reapply it frequently. 

FDA is concerned about the health hazards associated with suntanning products that do not contain sunscreen ingredients. Beginning May 22, 2000, such suntanning products must bear the following warning statement: 

"Warning–This product does not contain a sunscreen and does not protect against sunburn. Repeated exposure of unprotected skin while tanning may increase the risk of skin aging, skin cancer, and other harmful effects to the skin even if you do not burn." (Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 740.19) 

When at the beach or pool, cover exposed areas with tightly woven clothing and wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your head and face. If you're a parent, protect your children's skin; research indicates that one or more severe, blistering sunburns in childhood or adolescence can double the risk of skin cancer later in life. 

Remember that the sun's rays are the strongest from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m, especially during the late spring and summer. Reflected glare from water and snow also can increase your exposure to UV radiation.

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Beat the Heat

Is the summer heat driving you up the wall? Do you feel like you are baking every time you step outdoors or worse still, sweating buckets? Are you aching to douse yourself with ice cold water and beat the heat? Sweat err... fret not because we give you a complete guide to help you keep cool while the temperatures rise this summer!

Water therapy: During summer, your body loses maximum amount of water through perspiration. That's why it becomes even more important to drink loads of water during this season to replenish your store. So if you are used to drinking about eight glasses of water a day, up that to 12! What's more, include water in your diet through juices, stews and broths.

Fruitilicious: Binge on fruits like watermelon, grapefruit, pineapple, pears and other citrus fruits that are cooling and have high water content. Have a glass of fruit juice with your breakfast daily. You could also carry a box of fruit salad to work and have it as a mid-day snack. This will ensure you get the maximum nutrients from these fruits.

Dress easy: The worst thing you can do in summer is wear extremely tight-fitted clothes/ synthetic fabrics. Not only will they make you feel stifled but they could also cause prickly heat as well as other skin irritations and rashes. So bring out your whites and cottons and flaunt those summer dresses and hot pants this summer!

Wear it short: Now's a great time to visit the salon and get one of those chic hairstyles you've been eyeing for ages. Remember, the shorter the better. But if you don't want to snip off those lovely locks, wear your hair in a bun so that it doesn't stick to your neck and bother you especially when you're sweating. P.S. Switch to a shampoo with menthol just for the summer. It will help you cool off.

Eat light: Avoid fried and heavy foods that take long to digest and in the bargain slow down your body's cooling process. Substitute a heavy meal with salads made from tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, spinach and beans. Just keep the dressing simple (olive oil and herbs may be). Light sandwiches are also a good option. This diet will leave you a lot less sluggish and will help you drop pounds over the summer ;)

Slather sunscreen: Apply sunscreen about half an hour before you step out and keep re-applying every three hours or so. Use a sunscreen with SPF 15, or SPF 30 if you are outdoors for long. Choose a sunscreen that suits your skin. For example, if you have oily skin, use an oil-free sunblock but as you get older, move on to a vitamin-enriched one. For working women, a moisturiser/sunblock combination works best.

Eye gear: While they may be a great style statement, sunglasses are a summer necessity. You don't want to get crow's feet and wrinkles from all that squinting in the sun, now do you? Invest in a pair that has 100% UV protection and not just fashion value. While you are at it, buy yourself a stylish summer hat to protect your face from the glare of the sun.

Limit sun exposure: As far as possible stay indoors. But if work requires you to step out, opt for a convenient mode of transport (read: your own car or an A/C cab). Also make sure to leave early and return at sunset so that you miss the afternoon sun which is most damaging to your skin. Remember, the 12 to 4pm sun is the worst and can even cause a heat stroke.

Health alert: Apart from the heat, the dust has been causing throat infections, bronchitis and laryngitis too. So take precautions – hold a scarf around your mouth when traveling and avoid drinking chilled water when you are just back from the outdoor heat. The change in body temperature could affect your throat and voice box. Don't forget your insect repellents as insect infections and mosquito bites are common in the summer.

Bathe often: There's nothing like a cold shower on a summer's day. In fact, you could indulge in two or three showers to cool off. A cooling shower gel (and face wash) with mint or tea tree oil extracts will not just relax you but leave you with a tingly fresh feeling. Just make sure not to stand in front of the air-conditioner just after.

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