Shahnaz Husain 

 Monsoon in India isn’t just a season—it’s a feeling. The hills wrap themselves in mist, waterfalls roar back to life, and the scent of wet earth stirs up nostalgia and promise. 

 As everything slows down, monsoons also bring lush landscapes, romantic rain showers, and refreshing escapes.

  Travelling during the monsoon season can be a magical experience. 

 It’s one of those lovely times when surroundings take all your worries away and you are reduced to a mute spectator, basking in the glory of the moment. 

 Monsoon season is one of the best times of year for travellers to explore a rainforest, a beachside town or a hilly city which offers ecstasy, beauty, and divine delight. 

 As a traveller, you must be careful while wandering around during the monsoon due to extreme weather conditions. The wet season can make travel more complicated. 

If you’re planning a trip during this rainy season, the constant temperature shifts can take a toll on your skin and leave it irritated and oily. The high humidity can affect skin health negatively.

Like any trip to a faraway destination, preparation is key. The following practical tips explain how to travel during the rainy season:

1----Eat Healthy -------

It's OK to splurge on vacation, but maintaining balance is a good idea.

Hitting the road or catching a flight for a monsoon trip this year?  Travelling can be tough on healthy habits.

If you’re trying to eat healthy, dining while travelling and away from home can derail even the best of intentions. Whether you find yourself famished at the airport or are tempted by fast food joints along the interstate, the challenges are there.

 Prioritise steaming-hot cooked foods, peelable fresh fruits, and safe hydration. Avoid raw vegetables, street vendor items, and tap water.

If you’re selecting food from a buffet or salad bar, make sure the hot food is steaming and the cold food is chilled.

Avoid eating raw foods. Fruits or vegetables may be safer to eat if you can peel them yourself or wash them in bottled or disinfected water.

 Carbonated drinks in bottles or cans, such as sodas or sparkling water, are typically safe because the bubbles indicate that the bottle was sealed at the factory and not tampered with. Avoid drinks that have ice.  Hot coffee or tea should be safe if it is served steaming hot.

Do not drink coffee or tea that is served warm or at room temperature.

 2--- Use Waterproof Sunscreen 

Despite the rain and cloud cover during the monsoon season, UV rays can still harm our skin, even on overcast days.

 Sun is barely visible in this season, so people tend to skip the sunscreen, thinking their skin will not get damaged as the weather is cloudy and rainy. However, UV radiation can be higher during cloudy days because the clouds can reflect and scatter the UV rays, increasing their intensity.

The weather is humid, and the thick formulation of sunscreens can make your skin oily, sticky, and prone to sweating all day.

 So it would be a good idea to pick something that’s gel-based, lightweight and does not end up clogging your pores. For the monsoon season, one must opt for water-resistant sunscreen. A single application will not protect your skin the entire day.   Sunscreen must be reapplied every three hours for the best result and strictly to reapply after prolonged sun exposure, heavy sweating, swimming, or heavy exercising.

3--Keep it Minimal 

Applying makeup can be challenging during humid weather during travelling as they might have a chance of melting in the rain.

In the monsoon season, less is always more. So, you may want to consider pausing the usage of heavy moisturisers and facial oils for skin prep. 

 Embrace a minimalistic approach to your makeup routine. Opt for a natural, dewy look with gel-based moisturisers and lightweight serums enriched with hyaluronic products that enhance your features rather than masking them. For your base, you can also substitute a foundation with a BB or CC cream to even out your complexion, followed up with a hydrating concealer to cover up any blemishes

4---Antifungal Treatment  ----------

 A jump in a puddle in the rain might satisfy your inner child, but this could cause a host of fungal infections for you.

High levels of humidity in the air allow bacteria and infections to multiply with ease, which leads to problems like itching, swelling, and a foul smell. The air is saturated with moisture during the rainy season, which makes it an ideal breeding season for bacteria, viruses and fungi.

In humans, fungal infections happen when an attacking fungus takes over a part of your body, and your immune system is not capable enough to ward it off.

Lotion-based moisturisers are better than cream-based ones in this season. Pure coconut oil provides instant relief. In its unheated form,  coconut oil works as a potent antifungal agent. Applying it over the skin makes it a good, safe topical medicine.

Neem oil is considered a natural antifungal. Neem is easily available and works 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 let it cool.  It can be used to massage the feet and can be applied to the toes. Lightly dab the neem oil onto the area using a cotton swab or cotton ball, and allow it to soak in for up to 30 minutes. Wash off the oil with warm water.

Dry and crush some neem leaves. Add this powder to sandalwood powder and make it a paste with rose water.  Now apply this paste to the area where you have the infection. in feet and nails 

5---Don’t forget your rainy day essentials.

A signature fragrance makes everything better, especially on grey days. Carry a soft fabric wipe or mini handkerchief misted with your signature scent. It gives your preparation a feminine and unforgettable touch.

 A raincoat is an essential item you should always keep in your vehicle's seat compartment for maximum protection during a downpour.

Create a playlist of songs that match your rainy season mood and relax as you listen to the rain outside.

Styling during the monsoon isn't about staying dry. It is about staying divine while staying dry.

Whether you’ve got caught in a downpour or you’ve been forced to walk through an unavoidable puddle, Waterproof boots are rightfully beloved for their ability to shield your feet from the discomfort of damp conditions.

  So  Waterproof shoes are essential for maintaining comfort and dryness during rainy season travelling. Choosing the right pair of waterproof shoes can be a daunting task for travellers.  It’s critical to try shoes before you buy them whenever possible to ensure the upper fits the way you like. Preferably buy sneakers that are comfortable to walk in and are skid-free.

Invest in a pair of popular brand waterproof,  windproof and breathable socks that live up to their name.

 Not only will they keep your feet safe from dirty water and slippery paths, but they also make for a great statement piece for your outfits!

The author is an internationally famous beauty expert and  is called the herbal queen of India