Monsoon and your skin

After the soaring hot temperatures in May- June months, it is the time to drench in the monsoon drizzles to get some relief from the heat. Monsoon is lovely, but the rains bring along with it a barrage of health problems that can be downright uncomfortable.

Excessive humidity can make you sweat a lot and skin that doesn’t have enough moisture can look pale and dull. Rain has a dehydrating effect on the skin, Thus, if you already have a dry skin, during this season, you may experience an increase in dryness.

Humidity and constant temperature changes of the monsoon make atopic dermatitis or eczema common and exacerbate the condition in individuals especially with sensitive skin.

Make monsoon your skin’s favourite

• ·         Use a good moisturiser to prevent and hydrate dry skin. And make sure that the moisturization effect is retained.
  
• ·         It is essential that you exfoliate your skin daily to rid it of dead cells but do so gently. Use of gentle cleanser cum moisturiser soap can be the best choice for the season.
  
• ·         Shower with steaming hot water may give you a better feeling but it can make your skin capillaries weak and cause skin damage, so shower with luke warm water.
  
• ·         Eat wholesome meals which include good fats because they are pivotal in repairing damaged skin and also retaining moisture.
  
• ·         Drink good quantity of water to stay hydrated throughout the day.  

Lastly, remember, you need to be more strategic with skin care in monsoon or just follow the expert's advice and get your skin rain-ready.

Complimentary benefits from Contradicting agents

The skin when loses its natural colour due to various disorders like vitiligo, becomes extremely sensitive to the sun exposure. But on the other hand, sun exposure induces the pigment forming cells underlying the skin and kindles the genetic memory of those cells to produce melanin pigment. Therefore, for treating hypopigmentary disorders, certain amount of sun exposure is required.

How much sun exposure does the skin need?

Overexposure to sun can cause sunburn, wrinkle formation, skin damage, photo ageing of skin and even skin cancer. And when the melanin protection is missing, the risk becomes more.

Moderate sun exposure has various positive effects but there is no easy method to measure the amount of sun exposure.

Complimentary benefits from contradicting agents- the best drug of choice

Hence, to manage hypopigmentary disorders, products with Psoralea corylifolia (natural source of Psoralen) that can absorb the sun benefit and with sun screeners like Bentonite, Calamine, Titanium dioxide and Zinc oxide which would protect the skin from over exposure, should be the best choice.

But as the hypopigmentary disorders like vitiligo requires a long term management, we also need to be sure about the product we choose for it. Therefore, doctor’s consultation is must.

Vitiligo and Natural ways to treat it

Melanocyte cells present below the human skin produces and transfers melanin pigment to the upper layer of skin which gives skin its natural colour and also protects from sun/UV rays..

But in vitiligo and hypopigmentary disorders, melanin is lost resulting in uneven discoloration of skin. It is important to use treatment products that will absorb sunlight and induce the pigment formation. Vitiligenous skin has to be protected  from over sun exposure.

Natural resources that can help you out for treating vitiligo:

The plant Psoralea corylifolia (Babchi) contains the active constituent Psoralen which entraps and enhances the benefit of the Sun/UV rays when mild exposure is given. It makes the skin sensitive to sunlight. Sunlight being entrapped by psoralen kindles the genetic memory of the damaged melanocytes resulting in melanin production.

Herbs like Piperine in Piper longum promotes melanocyte multiplication and transfers melanin pigment to the upper layer of skin; whereas Wrightia tinctoria augments healing properties of skin and Indigofera tinctoria works as anti-oxidant and retards the damage of skin cells due to free radicals.

Various herbal ointments with all or any of these herbs also provide sun protection other than inducing melanin production and thus they can be the best drug of choice for treating  vitiligo.

But do always consult with your doctor to choose the right treatment product for your problem.  

Choose the right shampoo for your Scalp Psoriasis

Most of the psoriatic patients do have it on their scalp as well. All though it looks same as that of dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, psoriatic scales are distinct, silvery and powdery in nature.

What to do and what not?

• ·      Use shampoo that is mild, will soften and loosen the scalp scales
• ·      Use of hair dye needs to be avoided as the chemicals in hair dyes can sometimes irritate and worsen the scalp psoriasis or even cause an allergic reaction on top of the psoriasis
• ·         Thick scalp scales should not be picked, peeled or brushed roughly.

How do you know you are choosing correct shampoo?

Psoriasis shampoo should contain special ingredients designed to soften and loosen the scales of psoriasis on your scalp so that they can be washed away.

Herbal shampoo- shampoos with various herbs such as Cassia alata, Wrightia tinctoria and Aloe vera remain effective in reducing scaling, flaking and associated itching.

Medicated shampoo- medicated shampoos with clobetasol propionate (a topical steroid), salicylic acid, ketoconazole (antifungal medication), Blue Lagoon algae, and zinc pyrithione can also be helpful to treat the problem.

Consult with your doctor and be sure of the product that you choose for treating scalp psoriasis.

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Would your soap/bathing bar pass the collagen swell test?

Ordinary soaps can quite often be harsh on the skin and cause irritation – particularly when your skin is dry and scaly.

 Irritation potential of soap/ bathing bar is evaluated scientifically by Collagen swell test. A mild and non irritant soap should pass the Collagen swell test.

Choose VERDURA skin fresh intense moisturizer bar enriched with almond oil, wheat germ oil and avocado oil – an ideal bathing bar for your delicate, dry skin that helps in the exfoliation of scales and intensely moisturizes the skin and what more….

VERDURA skin fresh intense moisturizer bar has passed the collagen swell test. It is mild and non-irritant and safe for regular use.

Collagen swell test

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. Collagen swells when it damages. The extent of swelling is directly proportional to the gentleness of the product.


The graph given below scientifically proves that verdura skin fresh  intense moisturiser bar is gentle on the skin and does not cause any skin irritation as collagen swelling is minimal compared to SLS which swells collagen to the maximum. It has no effect on collagen protein.

It gives increased humectancy and offers skin protection through its rich ingredients. It is very  helpful for psoriatic skin, atopic dermatitis and dry skin.

Beat the Dryness of Summer Days

Summer heat causes dehydration. It is not just the body that loses all its water through sweat, but also the skin cells that lose water, shrink, stretch, crack, start itching, and become flaky and dry.

Take care of your skin

Your skin needs natural oils-

Natural oils seal in the moisture. But frequent baths and harsh soaps tend to deplete and hinder the production of these natural oils.

So wisely choose the right soap for your skin type.

Moisturise-

The water may hydrate your skin but it cannot moisturise it or help you avoid the extreme dry skin problem.

For that you need a moisturiser which will provide a long lasting benefit and is easily absorbed. Thereby, will not attract the dust or pollutants as well.

Eat healthy, eat smart-

Include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables to keep your skin healthy and acne free.

Whereas eggs, onions, and garlic help keep skin smooth. And also make sure you consume plenty of yellow and orange vegetables that are high in an antioxidant called beta-carotene.

Junk foods and deep fried foods can worsen the situation. So it would be smart if you avoid them.

Drink water-

Even if you take good quantity of water, it may not be sufficient to replenish the fluids that you lose while you sweat. So, DRINK more and STAY fit.

Whatever may be your skin type, Summer is going to be tough for all if you don’t choose the right way to stay healthy and keep your skin happy.

Acne Fighting Lifestyle Changes

Acne Fighting Lifestyle Changes

What can I do about my acne?

No one likes pimples. We go to great lengths to avoid them, not necessarily because they’re painful, but because they’re ugly. We try to control them by scrubbing our faces with cleansers, applying warm and cool compresses, toothpaste, and an assortment of acne products. We squeeze them, cover them up with make-up, part our hair on the wrong side to cover them, and shield them with our hands. On a particularly bad skin day, some of us might even wish we could stay in bed and hide.

The truth is, acne is very common. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, about 40 to 50 million Americans have acne at any one time. And, it’s not just for teenagers.

Acne can begin when pores are clogged by oil or dirt. Acne breakouts are also related to hormonal fluctuations. For some women, oral contraceptives can help reduce acne. Other acne sufferers try every product imaginable and, eventually, consult a dermatologist. There are, however, several complexion spoilers in most of our daily routines that can be managed or eliminated for clearer skin. Consider making these acne fighting lifestyle changes:

Establish a skin routine. Your skin’s your biggest organ; you wouldn’t scrub your heart with harsh products, and your skin deserves the same sort of delicate treatment. Wash your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser. Any more and you’ll dry it out, which can actually increase oil production. You can treat breakouts with an over-the-counter acne remedy, but use it sparingly as it might further irritate skin. Be sure to use an oil-free moisturizer after cleansing.

Read labels. Make sure that your moisturizers, sunscreens, and make-up are oil-free and non-comedogenic. It’s best to avoid make-up completely, but if you feel you must, be sure to read all the ingredients. Consider keeping a skin diary when experimenting with new products: write down how it looks and feels when you put it on, a few hours later, and at the end of the day. Make note of any increase or decrease in blemishes. If you see a pimple pattern, discontinue use. You don’t want the make-up  you use to hide your break-outs to actually make them worse.

Try hair products that aren’t oil-based. What goes on your hair gets in your face, be it shampoos and conditioners that wash over your face as you rinse your hair in the shower, the anti-frizz oil you use to tame unruly curls, or the pomade you use to keep hair in place. Eliminating exposure to these products will help prevent your pores from clogging, especially around your hairline and forehead.

Hit the gym. Exercise reduces stress levels and helps regulate hormones. It also gives you a make-up free glow. Just be sure to shower afterward so the oily sweat produced from all those reps doesn’t clog your pores.

Avoid processed or sugary foods. Foods that are processed tend to break down into sugar quickly, causing spikes in insulin levels. These spikes can lead to increased oil production, clogged pores, and unsightly acne.

Practice safe sun. The sun’s UVA and UVB rays irritate acne-prone skin. Try to stay in the shade when the sun is highest, between 10:00am and 4:00pm. If you are in the sun, wear a hat that breathes, and oil-free, non-comedogenic sunscreen with SPF 30.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Remember that you’re much more aware of your skin issues than your peers. Everyone gets blemishes: give yourself a pep talk: you’re making positive, acne fighting lifestyle changes. Then, move on with your day.

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