Warm weather means summer skincare challenges. With so many products out there it’s hard to narrow down the few that work. When you dream about skin in the summer, you might envision it being tanned, smooth and glowing. You quickly realize that reality means tackling sweat, sunburn, and even premature aging. A solid skincare routine should be an all-year thing and not just in the summer when the sun rays are most intense.
If you’re not wearing a winter coat in summer neither should your skin. Summer is the perfect time to reevaluate your skincare needs and choose more lightweight products that still provide a great sun-protective barrier. Don’t let the summer get the best of your skin. Change your routine to help combat the new challenges facing your skin. Read on for helpful suggestions for how to handle and protect your skin during the summer months.
Treat your body with the proper care it needs by making sure you stay hydrated especially when out in the sun for hours. Your body is made up of about 70% water. So it’s a no brainer you need to make sure you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Water is nature’s natural beauty product. Aim for 8 glasses a day and watch your skin flourish!
Another good tip if you dislike drinking plain water is to eat water-rich foods that will help you stay hydrated. Strawberries, celery, watermelon, cantaloupe, and cucumbers are just a few foods you can incorporate in your diet to ensure you’re getting all the water your body needs.
UV light causes photoaging in the form of brown spots, coarse skin, and wrinkles whether you’ve burned your skin or not. When the sunlight comes into close contact with skin it can cause damage results such as inflammation, stunted healthy cell growth, and collagen destructing enzymes.
So skip the tanning beds!
This might be a hard one for some of you that love looking tanned during the summer, but seriously don’t do it. Your health is at risk. No tan is worth it trust me! Your future self will thank you for it.
During the winter and fall it’s common to tend to overdo it with the make-up product. I usually wear moisturizer, primer, concealer, foundation, and powder all day, every day. I also have oily prone skin and in the summer I can’t bear the feeling of heavy makeup plus it doesn’t stay on long anyways. To save some time and money, during the summer switch to wearing only the essential make-up products you need.
You should exfoliate your face and neck one to two times per week to get in the habit of practicing good summer skincare. The body sheds skin cells at a rapid rate. If you don’t exfoliate, those dead skin cells will just sit on your skin leaving you looking dull, dry and even flaky at times. Pore cloggers such as humidity, SPF, and sweat can all contribute to congested pores. Clogged pores equal blackheads, pimples, and dry complexion.
Our skin repairs itself at night so the best time to exfoliate is in the mornings to wipe away those dead skin cells.
Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean you should slack off on summer skin care especially in the moisture department. To keep your body looking young and firm you need to give it the proper moisture it needs. In the summer, lay off heavy creams and instead opt for more lightweight formulas. That way your body is being treated to the necessary moisture it needs without clogging your pores with heavy creams that will feel twice as heavy when you’re out in the sun.
Practice good summer skincare by wearing sun-protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses in the sun. A baseball cap won’t protect your face from the sun coming at an angle so opt for a hat with a brim for full protection. Be mindful to try and expose as little of yourself to direct sunlight. I know wearing dark colored clothes or long-sleeves in the summer is less than ideal but a good rule of thumb is to seek shade when possible even if that means sitting under an umbrella. If possible, try to not go out in the sun for long periods of time especially when the sun is at its peak between 10 am and 4 pm. If you must, wear sunscreen! No excuses.
In the summer, to keep your skin from drying out keep bathing at minimum. I know it might be hard since many of us shower more than once a day during the summer between working out, beach dates, or just plain summer sweat. However, over-showering can cause our skin to dry out especially when bathing with hot water. It can cause serious issues like summer eczema or inflammation. Cut down on the hot water and opt for cooler showers. It will cool you down faster and help to lock in moisture that your skin so desperately needs to retain.
Sunscreen is used to protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun. It helps to prevent sunburn and premature aging such as wrinkles. Practice good summer skincare application by choosing a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher, is water-resistant, and provides broad-spectrum coverage. Broad-spectrum coverage means it protects you from UVA and UVB rays. Apply sunscreen generously at least 15 mins before going outdoors and follow the label for when to reapply usually every two hours. Use sunscreen every day, even if it’s cloudy!
We saved the most important summer skincare for last. Sunscreen use should be everyone’s top priority to truly enjoy days in the sun without fear of sun damage.
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