Relaxing by the pool, long walks on the beach, and sunshine-filled days are only a few more weeks away. It’s time to show a little more skin and soak up some rays!
The summer sun seems to melt away the dreariness and gloom of winter, but it can cause major damage without the right precautions. UVA and UVB rays are out in full force without the longer nights of winter to temper their strength. Making a few small changes can keep you outside with friends and family without fearing for the health of your skin.
As the days start warming up, focus on protecting yourself from the sun and heat with a few changes to your everyday skincare routine:
SPF is Your Best Friend
First and foremost, you should be wearing SPF all year round. Even when it’s cold and dreary, the sun’s rays are damaging your skin. Summertime just ups the ante.
In response, bump up to an SPF 30 and reapply often. Sweat and water can wash sunscreen away, so it needs to be reapplied every two hours for maximum protection.
If you do get a little more sun than you intended, drink plenty of water and moisturize well. It will help rehydrate and heal your skin.
Don’t Neglect Your Lips
The skin on your lips is very sensitive and can burn just like any other part of your body. Icy adult drinks and hot days can also dehydrate them, leaving them chapped, dry, and flaky. Take care of them by applying balms that contain SPF every time that you reapply sunscreen to your skin.
Stay Hydrated
Both inside and out, your body needs plenty of hydration to combat the salt, sand, and sun of summertime. Make sure that you’re using a high quality moisturizer with SPF. Moisturizers can include anti-aging treatments as well as hydration. Advanced Skin Therapeutics has many products and are happy to assist you with finding the right fit for your skin care concerns.
You should also drink plenty of water, particularly if you’re enjoying any drinks that contain alcohol. Alcohol dehydrates the body, including the skin. Drinking plenty of water along with your beverage can combat this unfortunate side effect and help keep your skin from suffering.
Exfoliate from Head to Toe
Regular exfoliation unclogs pores and removes unwanted dryness, flaking, and dead skin cells that can cause your skin to look dull. Without it, your products and serums can’t do their job correctly, as they are unable to fully penetrate the layers of your skin.
Use gentle exfoliants once or twice a week to scrub away the nasties and leave your skin prepared for healthful, healing skincare products.
Consider Paring Down Your Makeup Routine
Sweat clogs your pores, leading to more breakouts and skin issues in the summer. Adding heavy makeup to the mix doesn’t help. If you’re going to be outside, consider using a mineral powder like jane iredale’s Pure Pressed Mineral Foundation. This weightless foundation has a sheer matte finish, is oil free, doesn’t clog pores and has SPF. Let your natural beauty shine!
