Everyone loves the summer season! Who doesn’t feel much happier when summer comes around. It’s the season completely devoted to leisure and good times with the people you love. One of the best parts of the summer season is spending time in the sun’s warm rays and daytime summer activities tend to bring a lot of this. With all of this fun in the sun, it is important not to forget that the sun can be detrimental to your facial skin if you do not take the proper precautions.
When basking in the sun’s glory, follow these five simple steps to protect your facial skin and make the most out of this wonderful time of year:
Apply and Reapply
Sunscreen is your face’s best friend. While a golden-brown tan can look amazing, burnt, red, blotchy and peeling skin does not! If you are going to spend several hours in the sun, one application of sunscreen may not be enough. Sunscreen’s protection fades over time, especially if your summer fun involves water. Depending on your skin tone, you should reapply your sunscreen every two hours or more if you are very fair.
Lots and Lots of H2O
Water is important for your body, year-round; however proper hydration is critical in the hot summer months. The sun can cause dehydration which can be damaging to your facial skin, causing dryness and premature aging and wrinkling. Water moisturizes your skin from the inside out, so drink at least eight glasses of water every day. If you indulge in caffeinated products such as coffee, soda or even some teas, it is important to up your water intake more than your normal daily amount.
Moisturize
Keep your facial skin hydrated from the outside as well as the inside. Moisturizing should be part of your daily skincare routine. However, in the summer you may want to consider a different moisturizer than you would use in the winter or other seasons. In the winter you may tend to have drier skin. In the dryer months, you may want to use a slightly heavier moisturizing product, such as a cream instead of a lotion. In summer, you can use a lighter, less dense lotion that contains sunscreen protection.
Exfoliate
One of the most effective ways to exfoliate during the summer is to use a scrub on dry skin before you shower. Exfoliation helps to remove dry skin and unclog pores that can be impacted by excess sweat, dirt and oils. Only exfoliate once a week during the summer, overdoing it can make your skin more susceptible to sunburn and sun sensitivity.
Eat Well
Make sure to include skin-friendly fruits on your picnics and beach outings. Foods such as watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, oranges, avocados, celery and tomatoes all have essential benefits for your skin. Being outdoors and sweating in the sun, can increase your risk for dehydration, skin sensitivities, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. The simple solution is to stay hydrated and eat local, in-season fruits and good for your skin snacks.
