While too much of the sun rays can be harmful to your skin, the right balance can have lots of positive effects on our body. According to the World Health Organization, sun exposure can treat several auto immune disorders.

Moderate amount of sun exposure

• Slows down the rapid rate of skin cell multiplication (scaling) and skin cell shedding in psoriasis.
• Kindles genetic memory of pigment cells of the skin to produce melanin in vitiligo.
• Produces vitamin D in the body which improves brain function
• Helps in healing eczema and fungal infections
• Sun exposure improves the production of blood cells in the body which helps develop resistance to diseases in the body and thus boosts the immunity.

Over exposure to sun can cause

• Sunburn
• Wrinkle formation
• Skin damage
• Photo Ageing of skin
• Skin cancer.

It is important to take adequate precaution.

The best way to get the benefits and stay away from the ill effects of sun is to always apply a sunscreen compulsorily whenever we go outdoors.

Dry skin is a sensitive issue which needs to be taken care of with consummate care. People with dry skin usually have low level of sebum, so their skin develops scales because of their inability to retain moisture. You can manage your skin by taking a few steps.

a) Retaining your natural oils

Your body produces natural oils on a daily basis which helps it from drying up and protects the skin. Using an ordinary soap strips it of these oils therefore using a specialized medicated soap for moisturizing extra dry skin is advised by most doctors. This helps to regain the natural oils in our skin.

b) Exfoliate with care

Exfoliating the skin with scrubs is necessary but it must be done with care as it will remove the dead cells present in the top layer of dry skin. Once or twice a week is more than enough, mainly sensitive areas like the face.

c) Drying your skin with care

Drying the skin is a daily habit but it also needs to be with care as vigorously doing it can lead to irritation of the skin and it also strips the body of its natural oils, so remember when drying your skin to do it gently.

d) Daily use of a Moisturizer

The daily use of a moisturizer is a very good habit to cultivate as it nourishes the skin and helps to lock in moisture. It is especially effective right after a shower when your body is still wet.

The plant Psoralea corylifolia (Babchi) contains the active constituent Psoralen which can be applied topically on the affected areas before sun exposure.

Psoralen entraps and enhances the benefit of the UV rays of sunlight when mild exposure is given. It makes the skin sensitive to sunlight so that the UV radiations can penetrate easily into the skin and

• Reduce symptoms such as itching and inflammation in excessive scaling conditions of skin. PUVA (Psoralen+UVA) slows down excessive skin cell growth and inflammation that causes extreme dry scaling conditions of skin to develop.
• Minimise uneven discolouration of skin and hypopigmentation. Psoralen, on absorption of sunlight, kindles the genetic memory of the damaged melanocytes (pigment producing skin cells), resulting in melanin production.
  Narrowband UVB (311-312 nm) that is present in the sunlight also stimulates pigment cells to produce melanin in a very short time after exposure.

To step up the goodness of sunlight effectively in these conditions, a topical cream containing Psoralea corylifolia /Psoralen is highly recommended.

Psoralea corylifolia (Babchi) and its oil are called as Kushtaghni in Ayurveda which means remedy for treating skin diseases.

Numerous research done on the plant state that the presence of active constituent Psoralen in Psoralea corylifolia promotes pigmentation and support the stimulation of melanin pigments in the skin structure which in turn help in managing vitiligo. Pigment formation is much faster when the affected areas are exposed to sunlight and alternate sources of UV light. Scientific studies have also proven that Psoralen stimulates residual pigmentation and improves skin health.

Another study showed that Psoralen is a photoactive furocoumarin that binds to DNA when exposed to UV light to form photoproducts with pyrimidine base. This action inhibits DNA synthesis and causes decrease in skin cell proliferation. This inhibits excessive skin scaling and helps in managing psoriasis.

Cream containing Psoralea corylifolia can be applied onto the affected areas and exposed to sun or UV light for faster relief from the symptoms of auto immune disorders like Psoriasis and Vitiligo.

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.
• 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.

The moisture content of the skin determines its nature (oily, dry and normal), texture and also how we look. Skin needs a certain level of moisture content to be healthy and moisture loss makes the skin dry, scaly, and also highlights the lines and wrinkles making your skin look older.

So how can we prevent out skin from losing all the moisture?

There are many ways we can do that and look our glorious best

• • Environment– Skin’s natural ability to make its own natural moisturizing factors are disrupted when we are exposed to the UV radiation from the sun. Hence, it is essential to use sunscreen at all times, even during winters. Hot showers also strip our skin of moisture. It is advisable to have short showers in lukewarm water. Low humidity, air conditioning and heaters also affect skin’s ability to retain moisture
  • Moisturizers – Contrary to popular belief, moisturizers do not moisturize the skin. They only help lock in the moisture. So, use of gentle moisturizer, cleansing soap followed by any moisturizing lotion can help you in that way.
  • Lifestyle – it is extremely important to keep your body hydrated from the inside as well. Drink lots of water and have fruits rich in Vitamin C.

Taking good care of your body and skin makes you healthy which is the best way to look at all times.

Managing pimples through the day – 1000s of microbes and the way to beat them

Dermatologists believe, every person faces at least 3 major out breaks of acne during their lifetime; mostly during their teens and post-puberty. Acne is in fact the most common skin condition found all over the planet. Since it is so highly common, your skin needs proper protection to fight acne and keep it clear. There are many products in the market that promise on clearing acne and keeping your skin healthy, however few minor changes to your lifestyle could help you in combating acne.

More than an infectious skin condition, Acne is also a lifestyle inflicted disease. Researchers say, people who live a stressful lifestyle have a higher risk of acne outbursts. Here are 5 simple ways you can fight acne by yourself through the day.

1. Get Enough Sleep

The concept of ‘Beauty Sleep’ is quite well known yet seldom followed. Losing just 1 hour’s sleep puts you at 90% higher risk of an acne outburst. Sleep also helps to improve your metabolism, relieve stress and substantially reduce sebum production.

2. Exercise

Exercise helps you to keep your body healthy and active. It also does a lot of good for your skin. Exercise makes you sweat and in turn detoxifies your body, removes toxins that may contribute to acne outburst. Although, be sure to have a post –workout shower, as sweat over long periods of time may invigorate acne.

3. Cut Down on Dairy Products

Recent studies have revealed that dairy products do more harm than good for your health. Consuming dairy products changes the chemical composition in your body leading to outbursts of acne. People claim, it was easier to manage acne when they cut down on dairy products completely. Many dermatologists also recommend cutting down on dairy products to manage acne better.

4. Not Too Sweet

Sugar and confectionaries have long been known to aggravate acne conditions. Studies suggest intake of sugar worsens the symptoms of acne. Moreover, Sugar also leads to other health conditions like diabetes. Reducing sugar intake would do a lot of good not just for your skin but also your overall health.

5. Hands-Off

Keep your hands off your face if you are suffering from acne. Pimples can sometimes be itchy and irritable, however touching your face and pinching pimples only makes it worse. It could cause pimples to spread and irritate your skin. It could also lead to serious scaring!

Along with these 5 tips, being hygienic and keeping yourself hydrated also helps in fighting acne through the day.

As winter season arrives, it is a known fact that the sudden drop in temperature leads to various problems on our skin. The cold winds and low temperature are the most common reasons that result in dry skin and flaking.

Though dry skin in winter can be a nuisance, there are many ways to fight the dryness using home remedies.

Here are 5 natural ways to moisturize your skin this winter.

Milk: It has an anti-inflammatory and soothing property that greatly helps to get rid of dry and itchy skin. Apply cold milk on your dry skin for five to seven minutes. Gently wash off the milk with lukewarm water. This natural moisturizer will remain on your skin for a long time.

Egg mask: You might be wondering why there are many edible items on this list, but egg masks left on the face for about half an hour can give you immediate and lasting effects. Eggs are rich in protein and albumin that control the oil which prevent your skin from drying up.

Honey and olive oil: A spoon of both honey and olive oil that is left on the skin for a mere 15 minutes has many benefits apart from moisturizing the skin. Honey being naturally sticky keeps your skin exfoliated and also lightens the skin tone. Olive oil prevents the honey from sticking to your skin, prevents itching and helps in prevention of pimples as well.

Yogurt scrub: No matter how rough your skin feels, using abrasive scrubs can make your skin worse. The best way to exfoliate is to use a yogurt and besan powder scrub that removes dead cells without damaging your skin. Yogurt contains lactic acid that exfoliates and moisturizes your skin .

Coconut Oil: It makes the skin feel softer and removes its previous scaly characteristic by moistening it in a natural way. Coconut oil has sufficient amounts of fatty acid that make up for any loss of moisture from the skin. Apply proper amount before going to sleep and wash it off in the morning

Though difficult at first, following these tips regularly during this winter season will make your skin glow and moisturized regardless of the drops in temperature.
Give your skin what it deserves this season and beat the winter itch!

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.

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.