Summertime is almost here. And along with it comes, for some of us, skin care issues. It might be pimples, breakouts, rashes, or acne that just wouldn’t go away! Just a few simple changes in your everyday skin care routine can get you through the summer season.
How does summer effect your skin?
Usually warmer temperatures mean a change to your skin care routine. Just like your change in wardrobe, your skin care definitely needs a change as well. Using less products and lighter moisturizers is recommended by dermatologists.
With summer comes the exposure to more sunlight and being outdoors more often. Too much sun can be bad for your skin. Over exposure can cause premature aging and more melanin to be produced in the skin. Which causes a change in your skin color and/or tanning.
Going in and out of air conditioned areas can alone cause your skin to dry out. Having a good skincare routine during summer is even more important, given the UV rays of the sun that could result in premature aging and wrinkles.
What can you do to protect your skin?
• Skin care
Keep your skin hydrated and clean. Summer months brings more breakouts, pimples and acne. If you suffer from these issues, make sure you rinse your face with water at least 3 to 4 times every day and use a cleanser in your morning and night time routine to rid your skin of impurities. Using a cleanser, toner and moisturizer at night is recommended. During the summer season try using lighter lotions, serums and moisturizers. Use products that let your skin breathe naturally and do not block pores, which can cause more problems. Choose products that best suit your skin type. Estheticians suggest exfoliating and applying a mask once or twice a week, helps remove dead skin cells and hydrates the skin.
• Sunscreen
During any time of the year, UV rays can be harmful for your skin, especially in the summer months when your exposure levels are higher. Pick a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 and it must be applied 20 - 30 minutes before you head out into the sun. If you are going to be swimming, then you need to keep reapplying it as the sunscreen gets washed away. Some dermatologists suggest changing the brand you use every 6 months. For oily skin a gel-based sunscreen is preferred, while combination and dry skin should use a sunscreen moisturizer. If you apply makeup afterwards, you can use a brand with a matte finish. You may choose to use a cream base which absorbs well without leaving a residual layer. Don't forget that the skin around the eyes is very delicate and needs extra attention too.
• Daily intake of food and water
We have all at one point in our lives heard, what we eat has a lot to do with how we look and feel. Eating heavy foods can make your skin oily and susceptible to breakouts and even make you feel sluggish. Try consuming more seasonal vegetables and fruits and staying away from sugary foods and drinks. Make sure you drink at least 8 to 10 glasses if water daily.
• Sun’s benefits
We are not trying to make you fear going out and exposing yourself to the sun. On the contrary, we want you to enjoy the long summer days and all the activities that come with it. The sunlight helps us produce more serotonin, which is a mood boosting hormone. It also helps our bodies produce vitamin D. When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it makes vitamin D from cholesterol. The sun's ultraviolet B (UVB) rays hit cholesterol in the skin cells, providing the energy for vitamin D synthesis to occur. Vitamin D has many roles in the body and is essential for optimal health. Just make sure you balance the outdoor activities with a good skin care routine and protect yourself from harmful UV rays. Try to avoid exposure to the sun between 12 pm to 4 pm during summer months.
We hope you enjoy this Summer Season! Stay Safe and Keep Healthy!