By Trisha Chawla

There’s little to not love about time spent within nature, except sometimes it may result in dry skin or sun burn. Exposure to the sun and pollutants can trigger several side effects ranging from redness to patchy skin. If you want to skip dealing with these dreaded woes or you’ve had sensitive skin, make time to prep your skin before a holiday or a weekend trek.

Take note as Mumbai-based celebrity dermatologist, Dr Jaishree Sharad doles out her top tips for out of office skin.

YOUR SKIN NEEDS A SHIELD
Your skin’s barrier, that is the outermost layer of your skin, works like an armour that protects it against external and environmental aggressors. The stronger it is, the less susceptible you are to rashes, dryness and irritation. Sticking to a skincare routine that includes skin-strengthening ingredients is key to reduce damage. Dr Sharad recommends, “Use a moisturiser with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalene, dimethicone, urea and jojoba oil to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.” She also suggests you don’t skip on sunscreen: “Sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are your best bet to form a protective layer over your skin. For areas like your undereye, where skin is thinner a and more prone to damage, use serums with vitamin K and C to build up resistance.” Include these in your routine about a week to ten days prior to sun exposure, and liberally apply them on the day itself to form a protective shield. Trust us, you’ll need it!

STEER CLEAR OF RETINOL
“Take a look at your skincare labels and avoid using products with alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids or retinol on your skin,” advises Dr Sharad. Their exfoliating properties make skin more sensitive to the sun, increasing the chances of rashes and irritation. Dr. Sharad also suggests that you avoid scheduling in-clinic treatments likes microdermabrasion or chemical peels too close to your outdoor holiday. They require significant downtime and increase the chances of damage if your skin hasn’t healed.

BORROW A HELPING HAND FROM SUPPLEMENTS
While you may be getting a steady supply of antioxidants and vitamins from your skincare routine, a little extra help never hurts. "Oral supplements like superoxide, glutathione 500mg, vitamin C 1000mg and vitamin E 400iu are my favourite to protect skin from elemental damage,” says Dr Sharad.

ROLL BACK THE DAMAGE
Went on that outdoor trek or beach day without following Dr Sharad’s golden skincare rules? Don’t worry, there’s still a lot you can do to restore your natural glow and achieve supple, hydrated skin. In the week following, she suggests, “Boost moisture back into your skin by using heavier moisturisers that are loaded with ceramides, shea butter, cocoa butter or petrolatum. Use them right after a shower, on damp skin, to trap in more moisture.”

YOUR SKIN BARRIER CALLED, AND IT NEEDS YOUR ATTENTION