6 Ingredients You Need to Add to Your Summer Skincare Routine

As the sultry season sets in—urging you to swap your thick, creamy lotions for hydrating, lightweight creams—its a cue to revamp your entire skincare routine.

And, while we agree that the sun makes for Insta-worthy selfies, it also demands the inclusion of certain ingredients to your beauty routine—such as salicylic acid, Aloe leaf extract, Kakadu plum extract, Vitamin C among many others. With the sudden surge in temperature triggering a range of beauty woes, it's time for summer-friendly products to make their way to the front of your essentials kit. 

Mumbai-based dermatologist and founder of Isaac Luxe, Dr Geetika Mittal recommends you add these 6 must-haves to your skincare regime:

 

1) Niacinamide

 

Also known as Vitamin B3 or Nicotinamide, this water-soluble vitamin works with the natural substances in your skin to help improve the appearance of enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, and weakened skin surface. It also helps build the protein that keeps your skin healthy and firm, along with working as a skin conditioner to soften its texture. Topical application of niacinamide improves epidermal barrier function and locks in moisture, which further helps keep up hydration levels. 

 

Product Recommendations: Dr G HA Intense Moisturizer, Rs. 3,800; Dr G Eye Bright Cream, Rs. 1,850

 

2) Salicylic Acid

 

With the change in weather, you may notice blackheads or tiny dots on your nose, along with breakouts. Salicylic acid is lipophilic in nature, which suggests that it's an oil-soluble and is able to penetrate deep into your skin follicles to break down blockages within, as well as provide surface exfoliation which helps promote cell regeneration.

 

Product Recommendations: Dr G Sebum Control Facewash, Rs. 1,980

 

3) Camelia Sinesis Leaf Extract

 

Loaded with the goodness of catechins—which contain EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate)—the camelia sinesis leaf extract possesses strong antioxidant properties that fight
free radicals found in your skin. It also has the ability to protect your skin from UV-induced oxidative stress and works to reduce scaling. Besides, it increases blood flow to your skin, along with promoting skin elasticity, hydration, and density. Enriched with caffeine content, it serves to be an exception anti-cellulite agent as well. 

 

Product Recommendations: Dr G Eye Rescue Cream, Rs. 2,100

 

4) Vitamin C

 

For brightening up dull, tired complexion and erasing sun spots, Vitamin C is the gold standard of any skincare ingredient. It is perhaps also the most potent topical antioxidant that promotes collagen production and elastin synthesis, and specifically inhibits melanin to reduce the appearance of uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation. Besides evening out your skin tone, Vitamin C also reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and protects against the impact of photo-damage. In fact, it stands second in line for defense against harmful UVA rays, while helping boost the skin’s antioxidant defenses.

 

Product Recommendations: Dr G Active C Serum, Rs. 3,400 

 

5) Aloe Leaf Extract

 

Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera)—also referred to as a miracle herb—is widely known and used for its medicinal properties, providing intense aid in skin moisturisation, relieving irritated skin, soothing, and hydration. It also helps treat, restore, soothe and provide constant, plentiful nutrition to your skin, making it clear, supple and healthy.

 

Product Recommendations: 99 Percentage Aloe Hydra Gel, Rs. 1,200; Dr G Hydra Cool Plumping Serum, Rs. 3,700

 

6) Kakadu Plum Extract

 

Kakadu Plum contains natural nutrient gallic acid, which is a phenolic acid that works as an antioxidant protecting your skin against free radical damage caused by the sun, pollution and other environmental toxins. Both the gallic and ellagic acid contain antibacterial properties that calm irritated skin while strengthening your skin’s outer barrier. It is the ideal ingredient in the treatment of acne or any other inflammatory skin disorder.

 

Product Recommendations: Kakadu Plum and Orange Glow Gel, Rs. 1,200