Rain Feels Great—But Not on Your Skin

Monsoon always feels like a reset. The weather cools down, everything smells fresh, and suddenly you crave chai and pakoras every evening. But for your skin? Not so fun. If your face turns oilier than a samosa wrapper every time it rains, you’re definitely not alone. The high humidity clogs up pores, invites bacteria, and next thing you know—breakouts. I’ve been there: waking up to new pimples every other day, wondering if I need a whole new skincare routine just because the weather changed. Turns out, you kind of do—but it’s easier than you think. Here are the monsoon skincare tips that actually make a difference—no fluff, no 20-step routines. Just the basics, done right.

Women applying green face masks indoors.

Why Your Skin Freaks Out During Monsoon

Let’s keep it real. Monsoon breakouts happen because:

Humid air = more sweat and oil production
Pores get clogged faster (hello pollution and dust)
Bacteria and fungus love damp skin
Most of us ditch sunscreen when it’s cloudy (bad move)
And yes, monsoon snacks can trigger flare-ups too

All these factors make your skin moody. But once you understand what it needs, it gets easier to manage.

7 Monsoon Skincare Tips to Keep Your Skin Clear

1. Don’t Overwash, Just Cleanse Smart

In sticky weather, it’s tempting to keep washing your face. But over-cleansing can strip away natural oils, making your skin panic and produce even more oil.

What works:

Stick to twice a day cleansing—morning and evening.
Use a face wash with tea tree, salicylic acid, or neem if you’re acne-prone.
Avoid foaming cleansers that leave your face tight and dry.

I used to wash my face every time it felt greasy (which was like, every hour). Once I stuck to two times a day with a gentle cleanser, my skin calmed down.

2. Exfoliate Just Enough

Dead skin builds up faster during the rainy season. It blocks your pores and dulls your glow. But don’t scrub like you’re sanding a table.

Use a gentle exfoliant 2–3 times a week.
Try something with AHA or BHA if you deal with blackheads or frequent acne.
Skip walnut or apricot scrubs—they can be too harsh.

3. Moisturizer = Must-Have (Even If You’re Oily)

A lot of people with oily skin think they don’t need moisturizer during monsoon. Big mistake.

Here’s the deal:

When skin feels dry, it produces more oil.
Use a light, gel-based moisturizer—look for aloe vera, glycerin, or hyaluronic acid.

Once I switched to a water-based formula, my breakouts dropped by half. Not exaggerating.

4. Wear Sunscreen Even When the Sun Hides

Monsoon clouds don’t block UV rays. They just block your excuse for skipping sunscreen.

Go for a non-greasy, matte sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
Reapply if you’re out for more than a couple of hours or sweating a lot.
Gel-based sunscreens feel better in this weather than heavy creams.

5. Keep Your Hands (and Everything Else) Clean

You’d be surprised how many breakouts come from dirty hands or pillowcases.

Here’s what to clean more often:

Your hands (before touching your face)
Phone screens (those things are gross)
Pillowcases (change them at least once a week)
Makeup brushes (bacteria build up fast)

I started wiping my phone daily and changing my pillowcase mid-week. Huge difference. Worth the extra laundry.

6. What You Eat Shows on Your Face

As much as we all love fried food during monsoon, too much can trigger your skin.

Better options?

Add more vitamin C-rich fruits, leafy greens, and curd to your meals.
Drink coconut water, herbal tea, or just more plain water to stay hydrated.

I’m not saying ditch the pakoras. Just don’t make them dinner every night.

7. Go Easy on the Makeup

Your pores are already working overtime. Don’t smother them.

Use breathable, non-comedogenic products.
Skip foundation if you can—BB creams or tinted moisturizers are lighter and look more natural.
And please, remove your makeup properly before bed. No wipes, no shortcuts.

Bonus: A Face Mask Fix

When your skin feels extra greasy or angry, a simple face mask helps.

Clay or charcoal masks can draw out impurities and tighten pores.
Aloe vera and honey masks soothe redness and calm breakouts.

My Sunday evening ritual? A cool clay mask and zero screens for 20 minutes. Try it—you’ll feel brand new.

Takeaway: Your Skin Can Thrive in the Rain

Rainy days don’t have to mean breakouts and greasy skin. It’s all about finding the balance—keeping your skin clean, hydrated, and protected.

If you make just a couple of these changes—like using the right moisturizer or cleaning your phone more often—you’ll start to notice a difference. Promise.

Got your own monsoon skincare tips? Share them in the comments.

Also Read: Summer Skin Care Tips: Inspired by Bollywood Actresses