We live in a time where everyone knows at least something about skin care and makeup. However, we often forget that the social media trends we love and aspire to adapt to keep ourselves or look great might not work for our face or body. In fact, many of these trends are not suitable for hot and humid summers.

So before you flood your skin with serums for crystal clear skin in the Delhi and Chennai heat, or decide to bombard your face with glitter, Coachella-style, for a sweaty party in Mumbai, here are a few words of caution from the experts.

Glitter is cancelled, for now

drama series Euphoria It got the makeup and fashion world obsessed with glitter and rhinestone stickers. But with the humidity of June, chances are your glitter will start to shift places before your Uber even arrives. “The all-over glitter trend, where you apply glitter not only to the eyes, but also to the lips, cheekbones, all over the lid and under the eyes, is not meant for Indian summers,” no matter how much turn down the AC (temperature) level, according to celebrity makeup artist Shradha Luthra. “Think about shining again in the winters.”

Break the glass ceiling (blush)

Dewy blushes work wonderfully to give you a natural flush, but the current obsession with bold glass blush is a slippery slope. “Glassy blushes look great when adding color to your cheeks (in Reels), but these don’t stay put and eventually melt in hot, humid weather,” Luthra says. “Instead, go for powder blushes (it will give a matte look and last longer), especially for oily skin.”

Don’t flood your skin

Skincare influencers have left us obsessed with skin barrier protection and are now convincing us to “flood” our skin with excess products/meaning, even to prep the skin. Over-application of products can lead to acne, blackheads, and even a reaction if the products don’t complement each other. “Prep is important, but too much toner and moisturizer will definitely make your makeup slip and not last,” says Luthra. Heat and humidity make it worse. “In this heat, this practice can hinder the skin’s ability to breathe and cause discomfort. Simplify your routine by reducing the amount of products to let your skin breathe and avoid excessive oiliness,” says Niketa Sonavane, dermatologist and founder of Mumbai-based clinic Ambrosia Aesthetics.

don’t hit it

Oil spills are bad, even for the skin. So don’t overdo it with thick, occlusive moisturizers. “These products and trends like slugging can work well in colder climates. But the heaviness of such moisturizers can make skin feel greasy and lead to clogged pores and breakouts in today’s climate. Opt for lightweight, oil-free moisturizers or gel-based formulations that provide plenty of hydration without weighing skin down,” says Dr. Sonavane.

close the sheet

Did you know that many masks and wipes are made of plastic? Also, that cat sheet mask might look cute for your airplane selfie, but the excessive moisture from the masks, combined with sweating, can lead to breakouts in hot weather. “Limit use of sheet masks to once or twice a week and consider incorporating hydrating mists or light serums into your daily routine for adequate hydration without overburdening the skin,” says Dr. Sonavane. He also suggests that you approach homemade face masks this season with caution, as certain ingredients can be too harsh on the skin. She warns: “Lemon juice, cinnamon, or baking soda cause irritation, dryness, or even chemical burns when exposed to the sun.”

Dhara Vora Sabhnani is a Mumbai-based writer.