Monsoons are always a tough time for those of us with oily skin. Pimples, acne and scars get worse during the season making it difficult for you to look fresh and feel confident all the time. We suggest you go all natural by taking the herbal steam route to combat oily skin care problems during the season. Here are a few face care tips for oily skin and acne prone skin that you can practice twice a week...
For acne prone skin

Herbs required: Turmeric, green tea powder and cinnamon
What to do: Boil a litre of water and add all the herbs to it.
Turn off the flame ensuring it’s not too hot (that could open and enlarge your pores) and use a towel over your head as you steam your face.
Benefits: Green tea contains antioxidants that make your skin smooth as well as help to reduce sunburn and tan. Turmeric is known to be an antibiotic that helps heal acne by fighting acne producing bacteria. Cinnamon has antiseptic, astringent, antifungal and anti-viral properties as well as the ability to reach deep into your pores and control excess production of oil.
For oily skin

Herbs required: Lavender oil or leaves, peppermint leaves, basil leaves
What to do: Boil a litre of water and add all the herbs to it while it’s still boiling. Don’t turn off the flame, just place a thick towel on your head and steam.
Benefits: Apart from the fact that lavender oil is known to be a calming agent, it also helps to control oil production. Peppermint leaves soothe your skin and cool it down from the inside while basil, which is rich in Vitamin E, helps the skin glow by controlling the appearance of redness, rashes and acne.
For a problematic T-zone

Herbs required: Witch hazel solution (available at all medical stores), fenugreek leaves, rose water or rose petals
What to do: Boil 1 litre of water and add all herbs to it. Keep flame slow as you steam.
Benefits: Witch hazel is a natural astringent that helps reduce blackheads and repair enlarged pores whereas fenugreek leaves contain Vitamin C and Vitamin A that help moisturise your skin and reduce blemishes while controlling excess oil. Rose water helps your skin look rejuvenated.
Post steam
Don’t forget to splash your face with cold water and seal your skin with a moisturiser meant for your skin type. Another must-do for the monsoon, wash your face with cold water every 2-3 hours.
Written by Vidhi Gandhi on 6th Aug 2015