10 tips on How to Look After Your Skin in summer!
Summer is a wonderful time! It provides you with the opportunity to spend more time outdoors doing the things you love. However, the sun and temperatures come at a price and it is your skin that pays that price!
Sun damage can lead to premature aging of the skin, wrinkles, marks, dry skin, and even skin cancer over time. The hottest season of the year requires careful thought for your skin even as you enjoy the heat and freedom of summer.
Not all sunscreens are created equal! Some provide a physical barrier (minerals) while others provide a chemical barrier that absorbs UV rays. SPF stands for "sun protection factor" and indicates the length of time you can stay in the sun; you calculate the SPF by the number of minutes you can stay in the sun without burning normally. (For example, if your skin turns red after 10 minutes in the sun, a sunscreen with SPF of 15 should allow you to spend 150 minutes in the sun.) Sunscreen should be used only as one part of your approach to guarding your skin during the summer; it cannot be the only method. If sunscreens trigger sensitivities, breakouts and other skin problems for you, switch from chemical sunscreens to mineral sun blocks (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide). Special sunscreens are formulated for oily skin. They are labelled as "Non-Comedogenic" so they won't clog pores or cause excess oil.
Stay out of the sun between the hours of 10am and 3pm. The hottest part of the day during the summer is the most damaging time. Don't stay out in the sun for long periods of time around the hottest hours; the longer you're outside, the longer your skin is exposed to the radiation. Get your exercise and activities done in the earlier, cooler hours, or in the later, cooler hours of the day.
This is especially important when you've been swimming in chlorinated environments as the chlorine can dry out your skin and for some people it can even result in an allergic reaction.
The psoralen in perfume (especially in citrus perfumes) can permanently stain your skin when they react with the sun. During the summertime, it is recommended that you spritz your clothes with your fragrance rather than your skin.
Hydrated skin is better skin and it's easy for skin to become parched during the summer months. Dehydration results in dry skin, frown-lines, spots, a sluggish complexion and a lack of "glow".
A healthy skin comes from eating well and summer is the ideal time to make dietary changes for the better. Cut down on sugar and refined processed foods which create unbalanced blood sugar levels and therefore contribute to premature aging
At least once a month, perform a "mole patrol" to check for signs of sun damage on your skin. Be especially alert to moles that have changed shape or size or that hurt, itch, or bleed.
You have so many choices when it comes to adding a little summer tint to your skin, and the tanning bed shouldn't be one of them. Using a sunless tanner will give your skin a beautiful start to summer. Even if you're not a fan of sunless tanners all over your body, you can happily use them on your face. If you alternate your facial moisturizer with one that builds a bit of color, you'll have a healthy glow that will make it look as though you just spent the weekend on the beach. Most facial tanners build color gradually, by alternating with your regular moisturiser, you'll never get too dark.
We love “Tan Organic” – it gives a wonderful rich natural tan. It’s a lightweight oil that helps hydrate the skin at the same time and so easy to use.
Dead cells sit on the surface of your skin making it look dull, rough and dry. By exfoliating, you are removing these dead cells, allowing your more radiant, healthier summer skin to shine through. Exfoliating also allows skin cells to regenerate more quickly, which keeps aging at bay.
In the summer it is tempting to ease up on moisturizing because your skin may not feel as dry. But good moisturizers work over time, promoting healthy skin with consistent use. We don’t stop eating well or exercising in the summer, so we shouldn’t stop taking care of our skin. If you do happen to get a sunburn, act fast to mitigate the negative effects by moisturizing liberally and often with a lotion containing aloe vera. This will keep the burned skin well hydrated, and it will help to soothe the discomfort.
Lack of sleep can lead to increased levels of stress hormones, which may slow the production of collagen in the skin. When our skin stops producing collagen, it begins to lose elasticity and starts looking tired and worn.
