Unless you live in an area with the same climate year round, your beauty routine should change with the seasons. As summer approaches, there are some important actions to take to not only protect your skin during the hot, humid, and sunny days but also to ensure your skin looks radiant.
Cleanse
Cleansing and exfoliating your face should be important mainstays of your skin care routine year round. During the summer, it is even more important that you take the time to cleanse your face to prevent breakouts and other problems.
When the temperature rises, you sweat more. Plus, you most likely will be spending more time outside in the elements enjoying the longer, sunnier days. This can lead to more dirt and grime on your skin than during other times of the year. If you do not cleanse at least once a day, then you raise your risk of clogged pores and other problems. Exfoliating once a week will also help to keep your pores clean and your skin looking vibrant.
Skip the Makeup
Summertime is the perfect season to go without makeup, or at least use a minimal approach. In hot and humid conditions, you typically just sweat your makeup off, which can also clog your pores, leading to breakouts or dull-looking skin. Instead of caking on your makeup, stick to the bare necessities. For example, choose to wear powder or foundation, rather than both. If you plan to use foundation, switch to a lighter variety.
Protect Your Skin
Skin cancer is one of the leading cancers in the world. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, there are more than 3.5 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosed each year in the US alone. Experts estimate that more than 137,000 new cases will be diagnosed in 2015, and that one in 50 Americans will experience melanoma in their lifetime.
The best way to prevent skin cancer is to avoid UV damage from the sun, one of the leading causes. Therefore, when you go outside, you should cover up and wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. When you put on sunscreen, do not forget to reapply as directed, which is usually every hour or two. This also protects your skin from premature aging, as UV damage leads to wrinkles, sun spots, and other physical signs of aging.
Heal Your Skin
If you applied sunscreen, but it just did not work for some reason, whether you forgot to reapply or did not use a high enough SPF, then you are left with pink or red skin from a burn. You want to be sure to heal it right away to prevent any long-term damage. The best thing to use is aloe vera.
This simple desert plant cools the skin and kick starts the skin’s own healing capabilities. It also has antibacterial and antiviral properties, protecting your damaged skin from infection and further damage. If your burn is severe, especially if you have any blisters, then watch out for any signs that you require professional medical assistance.
Moisturize
Even though you may feel that your skin has more moisture during the summer months, you still need to use a moisturizer. This will help to give your skin the moisture and nutrients it needs without being too heavy and clogging the pores. It is best to use a light, water-based moisturizer that contains antioxidants and other skin-benefiting ingredients to further nourish it.
Hydration
Hydration is essential for your skin, and your skin should not have to rely upon moisturizer for this hydration. The best way to have smooth, supple skin is to be well hydrated. Even slight dehydration can cause problems with your skin and appearance. Therefore, you should drink plenty of water, especially if you sweat a lot. Plain water is the best hydrator. If you do not like water, you can infuse it with fruit slices or lemon. You can also get some hydration from fruit and other foods, especially melons and grapes.
Feed Your Skin
Summer is a wonderful time for indulging in fruits that have the best protective antioxidants and other ingredients that protect the skin from oxidation, free radicals, and UV damage. Other skin nourishing nutrients are vitamins A, E, and C. You should also choose foods that contain lycopene, such as tomatoes and watermelon, which may also provide some level of natural defense against UV damage, according to recent studies, such as one published on the BBC.
Taking care of your skin during the summer can be easy; you just need to make a few tweaks to your beauty routine. The most important thing you can do for your skin during the summer is protect it from the sun, no matter what your age.