Hot weather, salt water, humidity, and chlorine take their toll on our skin during the summer months. Don’t neglect your skin this season. Most skin aging occurs during the hot months, so consistent, regular facials and a good home care routine are your best defences! Here are a few common sense tips for surviving the lazy, undisciplined days of summertime.
- WEARING SUNSCREEN EVERY DAY WILL SIGNIFICANTLY CUT BACK ON ACCUMULATIVE SUN DAMAGE
You may say, “I’m not out at all during the day.” Just walking to your car, and even driving in your car will subject you to unnecessary sun damage. Windshields do nothing to protect you from UV rays! Wear a moisturizer that contains a sun block with a minimum of SPF #15. Apply it in the morning so you’ll be covered all day! Or make sure your foundation contains SPF,
- FOR CONTROLLING EXCESS OIL ON THE SKIN, AVOID USING A BAR OF SOAP ON YOUR FACE
One of the biggest complaints we hear during the summer is, “My skin gets so oily!” The binders that hold a bar of soap together are in an alkaline base (high pH balance), which will strip all the water and natural oils out of the skin, causing the surface of the skin to dehydrate. Your skin cells need to stay moist in order to be healthy. Without water, your skin will produce more oil to compensate for the lack of water, which is that last thing you want in the heat of the summer!
- WHEN SOOTHING A SUNBURN, AVOID APPLYING LOTION. INSTEAD USE COLD YOGURT!
A common misconception about soothing a sunburn is that you should continue to re-apply lotion – to keep the skin moist. But layering lotion on sunburned skin traps heat, keeping the skin red longer. Skin must breathe to let out heat. Cold plain yogurt applied to the skin works as an anti-inflammatory and heat remover. Apply, let dry for 15 minutes, and rinse. Repeat every hour.
- FOR SOOTHING SENSITIVE SKIN, KEEP YOUR PRODUCTS IN THE REFRIGERATOR
For skin that has redness or rosacea-like symptoms, the constant summer heat can keep skin looking red and irritated. Keep your products in the refrigerator so that when you use them, they not only feel refreshing, but the coldness acts to constrict capillaries. This helps to reduce redness.
- DON’T RELY ONLY ON YOUR SUNSCREEN
Sunscreens wear off, sweat off, and wash off, so reapply every hour if you are out in the sun. Also, wear a hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing to guard your skin against sun damage. If you want to look young, avoid the sun! No amount of sun exposure is damage-free. A little sun means a little damage, and a lot of sun means a lot of damage. And suntan beds are the worst!
- FINALLY, GET YOUR ZZZZS
According to recent research, – particularly women – are sleep-deprived. Lack of sleep not only makes you grouchy, forgetful, and drowsy, it also wreaks havoc on your skin. Even an extra 30-60 minutes every night will make a difference. |
