We need to tweak our daily skincare routine with every season because every season presents its own set of challenges. As the weather changes, our skin tends to react differently to the transition. The basic skincare regimen remains more or less the same. But we may have to make slight modifications to the quantity of the skincare products based on the demands of the seasonal transition from your skin. Or, introduce a new product or two to your regular skincare.
For instance, you may need to use more sun protection during summer, a cold cream instead of a lightweight moisturiser during winter, and so on. The monsoon is a tricky season and tends to have varied effects on different skin types. Some need more hydration, others need to reign in their increased acne breakouts, while still others have other skin experiences.
So, we at The Channel 46, decided to share our favourite skincare products with you – products from different Indie brands that will come to your rescue during this monsoon season.
1. Prolixr Witch Hazel Hydra Glow Toner
Reviewed By: Akshita Gupta
What I Loved
I normally don’t use a lot of toners. Old-school rosewater normally does the trick for me. But what I particularly liked about this product is that it acts as a double cleanser – not only does it make your skin feel refreshed; it also removes makeup and dust (VERY important when you’ve put on a lot of makeup). Also, it serves as a hydrating mist, which means you can sprinkle it on your face throughout the day.
How to Use
After you’ve cleaned your face using a cleanser/face wash, spray the product all over your face and neck. Allow it to settle for a minute or so. And then apply your regular moisturiser. I also used it to set my makeup, along with spraying it on my face when I felt a little hot and sticky, and it worked just as well!
Price: Rs 499
Buy Prolixr Witch Hazel Hydra Glow Toner Here
2. Mantra Vitamin C Serum With Hyaluronic Acid & Arbutin
Reviewed By: Rashmi Ghosh
What I Loved
I have been doing quite a bit of reading up on the benefits of hyaluronic acid in keeping the skin hydrated, treating dry skin, and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. This serum by Mantra, from the reliable Ayurveda-based pharma company Baidyanath, looked like it would be a good deal for me. So, I decided to go ahead and give it a try. And I must say that I don’t regret my decision at all. Apart from the hyaluronic acid, of course, there’s aloe vera and glycerine (the two most recognisable bio-actives for me) that takes the job of keeping my skin hydrated a step or two ahead. Especially dry skin like mine.
I discovered that my skin feels and looks more healthy and moisturised than what it looked about 3 weeks before. That’s how long I’ve been using this serum. My skin looks more even-toned, brighter, and less pigmented, and there’s more elasticity to it as well. That’s because of the vitamin C in this serum, I believe. I think I need to use this for a longer period for the serum to reduce the apparent signs of skin ageing like wrinkles and fine lines.
How To Use?
For a beginner in daily skincare, I took the first baby steps toward understanding how to use a serum infused with hyaluronic acid. The label mentions that it must be used on a clean face. And that’s exactly where I went wrong in the first two days. After a long hectic day that left me with zero energy, I went ahead with applying the serum on dry, unclean skin. And it felt like the product didn’t moisturise my skin well enough. So I make an effort to clean my face first and then dab on 3 to 4 drops of the serum, as the label says, and that made all the difference. The serum drops glided on my skin and my skin looks fresh, rejuvenated, and glowing. I followed it up with a moisturiser, as the label advises, and I can’t feel happier with my little skincare routine.
Price: Rs 999 for 30ml
Buy Mantra Vitamin C Serum With Hyaluronic Acid & Arbutin Here
3. Indulgeo Essentials Eyes On Duty Eye Gel
Reviewed By: Karishma Roye
What I Loved
First of all, the gel texture is cooling and easy to apply around the eyes. It just glides on your skin, which is what you want considering the skin around the eyes is so thin and sensitive.
Now, as soon as you put the product on, you feel a cooling sensation. I’m guessing this is the effect of green tea and green coffee in the eye gel. I would apply it and just lay down to rest my eyes—it truly felt like a de-stressing ritual.
Lastly, over the two weeks of application, I have woken up to visibly plumper and hydrated-looking under-eye skin. And I feel like my dark circles aren’t as visible either. According to the label, other key ingredients in the eyes-on-duty eye gel include vitamin E and bearberry extract. Both are said to reduce signs of skin ageing and boost collagen naturally. I’m guessing for the anti-ageing effects to really show up, longer use may be needed. But the good thing is a little product goes a long way. After two weeks of use, I have just gotten through ¼th of the bottle.
How To Use
Even though the brand recommends you use the product in the morning, I generally apply my eye cream at night. My rule is to use all defence and protection skincare in the morning, and all treatment and repair skincare at night. I take one pump of the product onto each ring finger and applied the gel in a circular motion around the orbital (eye socket) bones—much more thoroughly under the eye, and really carefully on the eyelid, ensuring no product goes too close to my eyes. I’ve been using the gel for two weeks, and I’m really happy with the results.
Price: Rs 720 for 15ml (worth the money since a little product goes a long way!)
Buy Indulgeo Essentials Eyes On Duty Eye Gel Here
4. Ozone Signature Tinted Sun Protector
Reviewed By: Sneha Singh
What I Loved
I simply love the fact that this broad spectrum sun protector has visibly reduced evident signs of tanning, despite my using a sun protector regularly. That apart, what attracts me to this product is that it is enriched with certified organic ingredients like Non-Nano Zinc Oxide, which I learned is a clean, natural mineral that saves the skin from UVA, UVB, and blue light from the sun. The sun protector has oats, which is why my skin doesn’t turn red despite being exposed to the sun. I cannot tell you how refreshing the natural cooling effect of this product feels on my skin. That is due to the de-tanning properties of aloe vera and cucumber extracts, which works as a moisturiser as well. It has also reduced my acne marks and dark spots within the short period I’ve been using it.
I have tried many sunscreens in the past. This one is my favourite at the moment. I adore it, and I would recommend it to everyone. After using this product, my skin looks more radiant than before and my skin tone has improved. I adore the fact that the fragrance is so mild that it disappears after its application. The lightweight glass bottle is perfect for eco-conscious people like me. Although the price seems high, it is absolutely worth it.
How I Use It
I have been applying this sunscreen every day for the last 14 days or so, regardless of whether I stepped outside or not. I’ve learnt over the years that a sun protector needs to be used generously even when I am indoors and that’s what I did for this mineral-rich sun protector as well. Once you clean your face, a little bit of this cream was sufficient to cover my entire face. As the label said, I used my fingertips to apply the cream and spread it evenly all over my face. This gives me an instant glow every time I use it. One day I put makeup on over the sun protector and the foundation spread smoothly and evenly on my skin.
Price: Rs 950 Rs 808 for 100ml
Buy Ozone Signature Tinted Sun Protector Here
5. Gush Beauty Dart Its Heart Darts Hydrocolloid Pimple Patches
Reviewed By: Janhavi Raut
What I Loved
If you have oily skin, blackheads, or pimples, you’ll know that putting anything on your face is risky. Picking and squeezing your zits can aggravate inflammation and lead to permanent scarring. That’s exactly where Gush Beauty’s pimple patches have worked as a saviour for me, no less than an SOS that I can bank upon when I get those ugly breakouts.
I had my cousin’s wedding the next day and an unwanted pimple decided to make its presence felt on my face – just what I was fearing! I used one of these patches and left it on overnight and, ta-da, it was gone the next morning and so was the debris that these pimples tend to leave behind. I’m glad the tea tree oil and calendula oil in these patches made it happen.
I’d go with these vegan patches on any acne day because they enable me to get to the source of the acne breakouts and treat them from their roots rather than just covering it up superficially with makeup. The hydrocolloid-rich patches work on my acne blemishes by creating a protective seal over the skin, while absorbing excess fluid such as oil and pus, flattening spots faster and reducing inflammation/skin redness.
The patches are comfortably lightweight and look super cute on those angry red zits. Most importantly, it curbs my picking habit, the compulsive obsession to pop every zit I see on my face, scarring it forever! These patches not only stop the popping but also make sure that the area near the acne doesn’t darken. For someone who’s passionate about wildlife and the environment, the cruelty-free patches devoid of sulphates, phthalates, gluten, parabens and synthetic fragrances, this is just what I was looking out for.
How to Use
These patches are super simple to use. Apply your regular face wash and pat your face dry as opposed to rubbing the towel against your zit and acne area. Let your face dry completely. Next, remove the acne patch from the protective sheet while making sure that your fingers touch only the sides of the sticky side. Put the patch on your zit/acne/pimple and, ta-daaa! – it’ll all be gone in about 8 hours. Sleep on it and repeat it as often as needed!
Price: Rs 350
Buy Gush Beauty Dart Its Heart Darts Hydrocolloid Pimple Patches Here
The above skincare products will see you through the day without you getting tanned, feeling a tug on your skin, and experiencing undereye puffiness or skin sagging. It will even protect you from acne debris if your skin is the type that frequently breaks out into acne. So, mix and match the skincare products and find out a routine that is a perfect remedy for all your skincare woes.
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