Shahnaz Hussain
Monsoon is the most awaited season to explore destinations while enjoying the refreshing rains.
The monsoon season offers a welcome relief from the scorching sun as rains settle the surrounding pollution and dust, revealing a clean, green environment.
Traveling during monsoon is one of the most adventurous and enjoyable experiences you can have when the dark clouds shower blissful rains on the people on earth. The monsoon season is one of the best times for travelers to explore the rainforests, seaside towns or hill cities that offer ecstasy, beauty and divine delight.
As a traveller, you should be careful while traveling as the weather can be extremely bad during the monsoon season. The rainy season can make travelling more complicated.
If you’re planning on traveling during the rainy season, the constant changes in temperature can take their toll on your skin, making it rough, oily, and more. High humidity can also have a negative impact on your skin’s health.
As with any trip to remote locations, preparation is key. The following practical tips explain how to travel in the rainy season:
Use a waterproof sunscreen
The monsoon season brings lots of rain and clouds, but even on cloudy days, UV rays can damage your skin.
During this season, the sun is barely visible, so people tend not to apply sunscreen, thinking that because it is cloudy or rainy, the skin will not be damaged. However, on cloudy days, the clouds reflect and scatter UV rays, increasing their intensity, so the amount of UV rays can be greater.
High humidity and heavy sunscreen formulas can make your skin oily, sticky, and sweaty all day.
Hence, it is better to choose a gel-based, lightweight and non-pore clogging product. During the monsoon season, you should choose a water-resistant sunscreen. A single application will not protect you all day. For best results, sunscreen should be reapplied every three hours. Also, make sure to reapply after prolonged exposure to the sun, heavy sweating, swimming or strenuous exercise.
Minimize
Humid weather while traveling can make it difficult to apply makeup as the rain can melt your makeup.
Less is more during the monsoon season, so you may want to consider cutting back on your use of heavy moisturizers and facial oils to take care of your skin.
Take a minimalist approach to your makeup routine. A gel-based moisturizer or lightweight serum with hyaluronic acid will create a natural, dewy look that highlights rather than hides your facial features. For base, you can use a BB or CC cream instead of foundation to even out your complexion and a hydrating concealer to hide blemishes.
Antifungal treatment
Jumping in puddles in the rain may satisfy your childhood feelings, but it can lead to a variety of fungal infections.
High humidity in the air allows bacteria and infections to grow easily, resulting in problems like itching, swelling, foul odor, etc. During the rainy season, the air becomes saturated with moisture, creating an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, viruses and fungi.
In humans, fungal infections occur when an aggressive fungus takes over a part of the body and the immune system is not well equipped to fight it off.
During this season, lotion-based moisturizers are better than cream-based moisturizers. Pure coconut oil provides instant pain relief. Unheated coconut oil acts as a powerful antifungal agent. When applied to the skin, it makes a great and safe topical remedy.
Neem oil is considered a natural antifungal agent. Neem is easily available and acts as one of the best treatments for fungal infections. Washing the infected area with neem water helps in treating fungal infections. To make neem water, boil neem leaves in water for a few minutes and allow it to cool. It can be used for foot massages or applied on toes. Using a cotton swab or cotton ball, dab neem oil on the affected area and allow it to soak for up to 30 minutes. Rinse off the oil with warm water.
Dry and crush neem leaves. Add this powder to sandalwood powder and make a paste with rose water. Apply this paste on the infected area. On feet and nails.
Waterproof shoes
Waterproof boots are rightly beloved for their ability to protect your feet from the discomfort of dampness when you’re caught in a pouring rain or forced to wade through the inevitable puddles.
Therefore, waterproof shoes are essential to keep you comfortable and dry while traveling in the rainy season. For travelers, choosing the right waterproof shoes can be a daunting task. It is important to try on the shoes as much as possible before purchasing to ensure that the upper suits your preferences. If possible, buy sneakers that are easy to walk in and not slippery.
Buy a pair of waterproof, windproof, breathable socks from a popular brand that lives up to its name.
Not only do they protect your feet from dirty water and slippery roads, but they also make a great accent piece for your outfit.
Hydration
Dehydration is a common symptom when traveling in hot, humid weather.
Increased humidity during the monsoon season can lead to increased sweating, which can lead to dehydration. You may sweat constantly and lose more water. Dehydration robs your cells of fluids and important minerals, making you feel tired, lethargic and dizzy. It is important to drink water regularly, regardless of how thirsty you feel. It is especially important to drink water regularly during the rainy season, when the cooler temperatures make you less likely to feel thirsty.
Water makes up 70% of our body weight and is one of the most important nutrients.
On average, an adult needs 2-3 liters of water per day to stay adequately hydrated.
Drinking water may be contaminated during the monsoon season, so mineral water is best as it is rich in essential minerals and nutrients.
Hydrate your body by consuming tender coconut water, lime water, kokum squash, buttermilk, soups, and fruits and vegetables that are high in water content like watermelon, muskmelon, and cucumber.
(The author is a beauty expert.)
