Block the sun

This summer, you will not have to think twice before slipping into the skimpiest of dresses, worrying about the tan, pigmentation or sunburn. Reason: Following simple summer skin care tips can help retain the glow of skin even in sweltering heat, believes socialite Riddhima Kapoor Sahni.

"One should drink lots of water and use sunscreen whenever one goes outdoors. Also, maintaining consistency in going for regular skin treatments is important," she says.

Here are simple tips to keep your skin safe from the harsh summer sun: Safe from the sun Increased sweating in summers means accumulation of increased dirt and grime on the exposed part of the skin. So, it's important to cleanse the skin thoroughly.

Wash your face with plain, cool water every few hours. Make toning a part of your nightly skincare routine.

It tightens the pores and prevents spots and pimples. In intense heat, one can refresh the skin by applying revitalising tonics.

For Indian skin, a broad spectrum sunscreen cream is advisable, one that shields against both UVA (ultraviolet-A) rays and UVB (ultraviolet-B) rays. UVA is considered to be responsible for wrinkles, while UVB for various skin allergies and infections.

If on vacation or outdoors, use sunscreen with SPF 30. SPF only measures UVB protection and not UVA; hence one should look for a sunscreen that also provides UVA protection.

The product should be re-applied every 3-4 hours, if one is outdoors for long periods of time. Lips are prone to darkening and pigmentation.

Use a lip balm with sunscreen to prevent darkening. For lightening Your sun tan, mix gram flour (besan) and papaya and rub it off after 10 minutes of application.

Keep salysilic pads (cotton pads soaked in salicylic acid) handy for cleaning your face. These help you get rid off excess oil and acne eruption.

Drink at least eight glasses of water a day to flush out toxins. Foods rich in Vitamin A aid in protecting the skin from the sun.

Foods with abundant Vitamin C help in repairing sun-damaged skin. These vitamins can be found in green leafy vegetables and fruits, including carrots, papaya and black grapes.

Mixture of honey, lemon and glycerine can be used to give the skin a fresh look.