Stop Believing These Skincare Lies This Rainy Season
Vaibhav Kochar | Jul 19, 2025, 21:31 IST
( Image credit : Timeslife )
Highlight of the story: Monsoon brings skin problems. Many people ignore skincare during rains. Common myths damage skin silently. Sunscreen is needed even on cloudy days. Over-washing causes more oil. Moisturize with light products. Rainwater is now impure. Treat acne seriously. Lip care is essential. Avoid DIY packs. Drink enough water. Men also need monsoon care. Listen to your skin.
Rainy days are dreamy, cloudy skies, a hot cup of chai, and the smell of wet mud. But do you know what’s not dreamy? Skin problems that come crawling in with the first drizzle. Most people don’t take monsoon skincare seriously because they think rains wash away all skin issues. Big myth.
And the worst part? Some of the things we think are good for our skin during this season are damaging it silently. In this blog, I’m breaking down 5 common skincare myths that almost everyone believes during the rainy season and how they might be ruining your skin without you even realizing it.
This article is not just about busting myths; it’s also about understanding how your skin reacts emotionally and physically to changes in the weather. Because skincare is not just outer care it's inner care too.
Myth 1: "It’s cloudy, so I don’t need sunscreen."
Let’s start with the most common myth. We’ve all heard someone say this or maybe we've said it ourselves. “It’s not sunny today, so why waste sunscreen?”
Reality check: Just because you can’t see the sun doesn’t mean UV rays aren’t attacking your skin. Up to 80% of UV rays still reach your skin even on a cloudy day. These rays don’t care about your monsoon mood they cause pigmentation, tanning, premature ageing, and in some cases, even skin cancer.
What’s worse? During monsoon, the humidity and sweat mix with dirt, making your skin even more sensitive to sun damage. When you skip sunscreen, you’re exposing your skin to invisible damage every single day.
Psychological impact: We often assume protection is only needed when danger is visible. That mindset, “if I can’t see it, it’s not harming me,” is the biggest enemy of good skincare.
What to do instead: Use a gel-based, non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) sunscreen with at least SPF 30, even if you’re indoors or it’s raining outside. Your skin will thank you in 5 years.
Monsoon = Humidity. Humidity = Oily skin. And what do we all do? Wash our face like 5 times a day with foaming face washes. Feels fresh, right?
Wrong.
Washing your face too many times, especially with harsh cleansers, strips your skin of its natural oils. Your skin then panics and produces even more oil to protect itself. The result? Breakouts, enlarged pores, irritation, and even dry patches under the oil layer.
Emotional side: In our panic to feel clean, we forget our skin needs balance not punishment. Over-cleansing is like shouting at your skin when all it needs is a kind conversation.
What to do instead: Cleanse your face twice a day once in the morning and once at night. Use a gentle, pH-balanced face wash. And instead of wiping your face dry, pat it gently. Show your skin some respect’s working hard to protect you from pollution, heat, and bacteria every day.
One of the biggest skincare lies we believe during monsoon is: “My skin is already oily, so moisturizers will make it worse.” But here's the thing moisture and oil are two different things.
Just because your skin looks shiny doesn’t mean it’s hydrated. Oily skin can often be dehydrated underneath, leading to even more oil production. It becomes a weird cycle of confusion for your skin.
Political angle: Skincare products are marketed in a way that glorifies “oil-free” everything, making people believe oil is the enemy. But the truth is, your skin needs hydration just the right type.
What to do instead: Go for a lightweight, water-based, or gel-based moisturizer. Something with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or aloe-vera works beautifully in humid weather. It hydrates your skin without making it greasy.
Extra tip: Never skip moisturizing after washing your face. That's the golden rule, no matter what season.
This is one of those old-school beliefs that sounds romantic but is outdated. Many people, especially in small towns or rural areas, still believe that rainwater is "natural" and therefore better than tap water.
But reality says otherwise.
The truth is, rainwater today is far from pure. With rising pollution, industrial gases, and acid rains, the first few showers especially contain a lot of harmful toxins. Splashing or washing your face in this water can lead to allergies, acne flare-ups, and skin infections.
Unspoken truth: Many people don’t talk about how environmental damage has made even nature’s gifts harmful. Romanticizing rainwater without understanding its new reality is like trusting a friend who has changed completely.
What to do instead: If you get caught in the rain, wash your face with clean, filtered water as soon as possible. Don’t let rainwater stay on your skin for too long.
Also: Don’t store rainwater to wash your hair or face later’s not 1990 anymore, and the environment isn’t the same either.
The biggest myth isn’t what we do, but what we ignore. During monsoon, many people get tiny bumps, fungal infections, or acne, and assume it’s just “seasonal.” So, they don’t treat it seriously.
Why it’s harmful: Skin infections in monsoon are more common due to sweat, moisture, wet clothes, and dirty water. If ignored, they can spread, worsen, and even become chronic issues. That little rash on your arm? It could be the start of a fungal infection. That small pimple patch? It could be a reaction to bacteria trapped in pores.
Psychological note: We’re taught to “adjust” a lot in life. And sometimes, we extend that mindset to our health. But skin issues are your body’s way of asking for help. Don’t ignore them.
What to do instead: Use antifungal powders for sweaty areas like underarms and feet. Don’t sit in wet clothes for long. If acne increases, switch to salicylic acid or tea tree products. And if something doesn’t go away in a week see a dermatologist.
Let’s bust some bonus myths while we’re at it:
Myth: You don’t need lip care in monsoon.
Truth: Lips get dry and chapped due to constant weather changes. Use lip balm with SPF.
Myth: Natural DIY packs are always safe.
Truth: Not during monsoon. The extra moisture in ingredients like curd or gram flour can attract bacteria if not washed off properly.
Myth: Drinking less water is okay since it’s not hot.
Truth: Your body still loses water through sweat. Dehydration shows first in your dullness, patchy skin, and breakouts.
Myth: Men's skin doesn’t need monsoon care.
Truth: Skin is skin. Gender doesn’t protect you from infections, acne, or dullness.
Skincare isn’t vanity. It’s not just about looking good. It’s about feeling good. It’s about respecting your body, understanding its signals, and giving it what it truly needs.
The rainy season is beautiful, emotional, and refreshing. But don’t let myths make it miserable for your skin. Every pimple, every rash, every patchy area is your skin’s cry for help. And no matter how advanced products get or how many influencers talk about “glow-ups,” your skin will always need basic cleaning, moisturizing, protecting, and listening.
So the next time someone says “it’s just monsoon skin,” remind them:
Weather changes. Trends change. But skincare myths? Let’s leave those in the past where they belong.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!
Can wearing wet clothes during monsoon affect my skin health?
Yes, staying in damp clothes can lead to fungal infections and body acne.Is it safe to use face oils during the rainy season?
Yes, but choose lightweight, non-comedogenic oils to avoid clogged pores.Do I need to change my skincare routine completely in monsoon?
Not completely, just tweak products to suit humidity and increased moisture.Are clay masks good for rainy season oily skin?
Yes, once a week clay masks help absorb excess oil and purify skin.
And the worst part? Some of the things we think are good for our skin during this season are damaging it silently. In this blog, I’m breaking down 5 common skincare myths that almost everyone believes during the rainy season and how they might be ruining your skin without you even realizing it.
This article is not just about busting myths; it’s also about understanding how your skin reacts emotionally and physically to changes in the weather. Because skincare is not just outer care it's inner care too.
Myth 1: "It’s cloudy, so I don’t need sunscreen."
Sunscreen at everytime
( Image credit : Freepik )
Let’s start with the most common myth. We’ve all heard someone say this or maybe we've said it ourselves. “It’s not sunny today, so why waste sunscreen?”
Reality check: Just because you can’t see the sun doesn’t mean UV rays aren’t attacking your skin. Up to 80% of UV rays still reach your skin even on a cloudy day. These rays don’t care about your monsoon mood they cause pigmentation, tanning, premature ageing, and in some cases, even skin cancer.
What’s worse? During monsoon, the humidity and sweat mix with dirt, making your skin even more sensitive to sun damage. When you skip sunscreen, you’re exposing your skin to invisible damage every single day.
Psychological impact: We often assume protection is only needed when danger is visible. That mindset, “if I can’t see it, it’s not harming me,” is the biggest enemy of good skincare.
What to do instead: Use a gel-based, non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) sunscreen with at least SPF 30, even if you’re indoors or it’s raining outside. Your skin will thank you in 5 years.
Myth 2: "My skin feels oily, so I should wash my face more often."
Oily skin
( Image credit : Unsplash )
Monsoon = Humidity. Humidity = Oily skin. And what do we all do? Wash our face like 5 times a day with foaming face washes. Feels fresh, right?
Wrong.
Washing your face too many times, especially with harsh cleansers, strips your skin of its natural oils. Your skin then panics and produces even more oil to protect itself. The result? Breakouts, enlarged pores, irritation, and even dry patches under the oil layer.
Emotional side: In our panic to feel clean, we forget our skin needs balance not punishment. Over-cleansing is like shouting at your skin when all it needs is a kind conversation.
What to do instead: Cleanse your face twice a day once in the morning and once at night. Use a gentle, pH-balanced face wash. And instead of wiping your face dry, pat it gently. Show your skin some respect’s working hard to protect you from pollution, heat, and bacteria every day.
Myth 3: "I don’t need to moisturize during the rainy season."
Applying moisturizer
( Image credit : Freepik )
One of the biggest skincare lies we believe during monsoon is: “My skin is already oily, so moisturizers will make it worse.” But here's the thing moisture and oil are two different things.
Just because your skin looks shiny doesn’t mean it’s hydrated. Oily skin can often be dehydrated underneath, leading to even more oil production. It becomes a weird cycle of confusion for your skin.
Political angle: Skincare products are marketed in a way that glorifies “oil-free” everything, making people believe oil is the enemy. But the truth is, your skin needs hydration just the right type.
What to do instead: Go for a lightweight, water-based, or gel-based moisturizer. Something with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or aloe-vera works beautifully in humid weather. It hydrates your skin without making it greasy.
Extra tip: Never skip moisturizing after washing your face. That's the golden rule, no matter what season.
Myth 4: "Rainwater is pure and good for skin."
Feeling the rain
( Image credit : Freepik )
This is one of those old-school beliefs that sounds romantic but is outdated. Many people, especially in small towns or rural areas, still believe that rainwater is "natural" and therefore better than tap water.
But reality says otherwise.
The truth is, rainwater today is far from pure. With rising pollution, industrial gases, and acid rains, the first few showers especially contain a lot of harmful toxins. Splashing or washing your face in this water can lead to allergies, acne flare-ups, and skin infections.
Unspoken truth: Many people don’t talk about how environmental damage has made even nature’s gifts harmful. Romanticizing rainwater without understanding its new reality is like trusting a friend who has changed completely.
What to do instead: If you get caught in the rain, wash your face with clean, filtered water as soon as possible. Don’t let rainwater stay on your skin for too long.
Also: Don’t store rainwater to wash your hair or face later’s not 1990 anymore, and the environment isn’t the same either.
Myth 5: "Acne and rashes during monsoon are just normal, they’ll go away."
Rashes in monsoon
( Image credit : Freepik )
The biggest myth isn’t what we do, but what we ignore. During monsoon, many people get tiny bumps, fungal infections, or acne, and assume it’s just “seasonal.” So, they don’t treat it seriously.
Why it’s harmful: Skin infections in monsoon are more common due to sweat, moisture, wet clothes, and dirty water. If ignored, they can spread, worsen, and even become chronic issues. That little rash on your arm? It could be the start of a fungal infection. That small pimple patch? It could be a reaction to bacteria trapped in pores.
Psychological note: We’re taught to “adjust” a lot in life. And sometimes, we extend that mindset to our health. But skin issues are your body’s way of asking for help. Don’t ignore them.
What to do instead: Use antifungal powders for sweaty areas like underarms and feet. Don’t sit in wet clothes for long. If acne increases, switch to salicylic acid or tea tree products. And if something doesn’t go away in a week see a dermatologist.
Some Important Skincare Truths People Still Don’t Talk About During Monsoon
Myth: You don’t need lip care in monsoon.
Truth: Lips get dry and chapped due to constant weather changes. Use lip balm with SPF.
Myth: Natural DIY packs are always safe.
Truth: Not during monsoon. The extra moisture in ingredients like curd or gram flour can attract bacteria if not washed off properly.
Myth: Drinking less water is okay since it’s not hot.
Truth: Your body still loses water through sweat. Dehydration shows first in your dullness, patchy skin, and breakouts.
Myth: Men's skin doesn’t need monsoon care.
Truth: Skin is skin. Gender doesn’t protect you from infections, acne, or dullness.
Listen to Your Skin, It’s Talking to You
Take care of your skin
( Image credit : Freepik )
Skincare isn’t vanity. It’s not just about looking good. It’s about feeling good. It’s about respecting your body, understanding its signals, and giving it what it truly needs.
The rainy season is beautiful, emotional, and refreshing. But don’t let myths make it miserable for your skin. Every pimple, every rash, every patchy area is your skin’s cry for help. And no matter how advanced products get or how many influencers talk about “glow-ups,” your skin will always need basic cleaning, moisturizing, protecting, and listening.
So the next time someone says “it’s just monsoon skin,” remind them:
Weather changes. Trends change. But skincare myths? Let’s leave those in the past where they belong.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, staying in damp clothes can lead to fungal infections and body acne.Is it safe to use face oils during the rainy season?
Yes, but choose lightweight, non-comedogenic oils to avoid clogged pores.Do I need to change my skincare routine completely in monsoon?
Not completely, just tweak products to suit humidity and increased moisture.Are clay masks good for rainy season oily skin?
Yes, once a week clay masks help absorb excess oil and purify skin.