Monsoon Acne

Monsoon acne is a very common skin condition that may occur during the Monsoon season (July-September) due to sudden changes in climate, wind and humidity and a lot of sweating. A study conducted by researchers found that temperature and humidity have a contributing role in the pathogenesis of acne and are causes of acne flare, especially during summer and monsoon.

Monsoon acne is the result of excess sebum in the skin. Sebum is an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands that help to protect and lubricate our skin. However, sometimes these glands overproduce sebum, which ends up clogging pores.

Humidity during monsoon increases sebum production in the skin leading to the growth of acne and a suitable breeding ground for bacteria. The sticky face invites dirt, dust, sweat, pollutants, which clogs the skin pores. This eventually leads to breakouts, uneven and lifeless skin, especially if you have acne-prone skin.

Causes of Acne during Monsoon

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when sebaceous (oil) glands are clogged. These oil glands are commonly found in the face, chest, shoulders and back. When the pores are clogged, it can cause acne, blackheads and whiteheads to appear.

Acne can be caused by various factors like genetics, hormones and stress. It mainly affects teenagers and young adults, but it can occur at any age.

Acne forms when oil and dead skin cells block your pores, trapping bacteria inside. Bacteria thrive on the sebum produced by your skin leading to inflammation resulting in acne.

During monsoon, body temperature increases which lead to excessive sweating and clogging of pores. As a result, pimples and blackheads become more prominent.

Hormonal imbalances causing the excess production of oil and dead skin cells are also one of the reasons for acne. Apart from this, there are many other reasons like stress, pollution, dirt, cosmetics, and certain medications for acne.

7 Ways to Treat Acne during Monsoon

Monsoon is here and so are the pimples. It’s no secret that pimples are a tricky problem. In case you didn’t know, our skin has pores that secrete an oil called sebum, which keeps our skin and hair moisturized. Sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands under the skin. When there is more sebum than can be absorbed, it produces a sticky substance that gets clogged up in the pores. This clogging prevents any further sebum from coming out making your skin look greasy. This oily secretion then combines with dead skin cells and other dirt particles to form a plug which results in pimples and acne.

Oily skin and acne are also greatly impacted by what you eat and how you live. We already know that junk food, dairy products, artificial sweeteners, processed grains, fried food, soft drinks, fruit juices etc.

The number one question asked by most people especially during monsoon time is what are good home remedies to treat acne?

While it will take some time to find a permanent cure for acne, you can try out these home remedies to treat acne during monsoon.

Facial steams are an excellent technique to treat acne during the monsoon. Regular facial steams can help in opening the pores and thereby reduce the growth of acne and pimples. You can add some neem leaves to your steam for better results.

Just grind a few neem leaves to form a thick paste and add one tablespoon of Multani mitti. You can also add some turmeric powder or raw milk to the paste. Apply it liberally on the affected areas and leave it on for 20 minutes. Then, rinse with lukewarm water.

Mix 3 tablespoons of brown sugar with one tablespoon of honey. Apply this mixture on your face and very gently scrub in a circular motion. Let it dry for 15 minutes and then wash off using cold water.

Potatoes are rich in antioxidants and have properties to heal skin inflammation and redness. You can cut thin slices of potato and apply them directly to your acne. The juice of the potato will directly penetrate your skin and heal your skin from within. Regular application of potatoes can help in fading acne and pimples.

Grind a few pieces of cinnamon to form a powder and add it in a teaspoon of honey and besan. Apply this mixture all over your face and let it dry for 15-20 minutes. Then, rinse off using cold water.

Rose petals have anti-inflammatory properties and aid in curing acne. Applying rose water on your face can help you keep acne at bay.

As the rainy season sets in, so do the worries about bad skin. The sweat, oil and grease that clog your pores during the summer months get washed away with the onset of rains. But as the months of monsoon progress, that oily build-up might begin to cause acne and pimples once again.

Though you may be tempted to reach for acne treatments during this time of year, it is important to first try a few natural remedies. These remedies will not only help you maintain clear skin but also ensure that your skin doesn’t react to harsh chemicals.

• Watermelon contains citrulline, an amino acid that helps break down excess blood vessel growth in the skin. It also contains vitamin A, which helps clean out the pores by getting rid of bacteria. If you suffer from acne due to excess oil production, watermelon can be your best friend.

• The best food to treat acne during monsoon is the green leafy vegetable and "Hara Dhania" or coriander leaves. It is rich in Vitamin C, dietary fibre and other minerals and has anti-inflammatory properties which help in reducing acne.

• Sesame seeds are also beneficial, as they contain zinc and vitamin E, which are essential for healthy skin. This monsoon when there is high humidity and lack of sunlight, zinc will help in preventing cell damage, while vitamin E  will slow down skin ageing.

• Drinking warm water and having a glass of honey water mixed in it, every morning will help keep acne in control.

• Almonds are rich in vitamin E, which is an effective acne scar treatment. Eating almonds also improves your overall health and reduces pimples on your face.

Take Away

There are many types of acne but monsoon acne is a common problem faced by people during the monsoon. This is because it arises due to four common reasons: too much consumption of sugar or processed foods, absence of bath during the rains, change in the weather (humidity) and stress. Excessive sweating and clogged pores result in the formation of bacteria, which cause inflammation that triggers fungal acne. Sunlight can also cause skin damage which can result in acne scars. To deal with monsoon acne, either you can try out a few home remedies or stick to your anti-acne night cream for monsoon and best face wash for acne which will keep your skin stress-free.