Skin care rules change according to the season. In summer, you need a proper skin care routine to protect your skin from the blazing sun and the scorching heat. The sun’s UV can damage the skin’s cells, and cause sun burn and cancer. Pollution and other environmental contaminants can rob your skin of its natural radiance, leaving it oily, dull, and blemished. Here are some tips to keep your skin healthy in summer:
- Moisturize your skin: Moisturize your skin properly with a good quality moisturizer. Moisturizers provide much-needed hydration to your skin, especially in summer when the skin loses water due to sweating. A water based moisturizer which seals in the moisture levels, gets absorbed quickly, and keeps your skin non-greasy throughout the day is a good choice.
- Change Your Face Wash: You should consider changing your face wash in summer. While a nourishing face wash is best for winter, you would require a face wash that can draw out the excess oil from your skin in summer. A non-foaming cleanser which would be ideal for combination skin. Washing your face frequently will keep your skin clean and refreshed.
- Use sunscreen correctly: Winter or summer, sunscreen is a must to protect against the sun. It penetrates the skin and absorbs the UVA rays, giving them no chance to reach and damage skin. So don’t ever skip applying sunscreen on your face and body before you step out.
However, just wearing sunscreen doesn’t count. You need to make sure you’re applying it at the right time in your beauty routine. Physical sunscreen needs to be applied after your makeup and chemical sunscreen need to be applied under your makeup. Moreover, you should choose sunscreen with the appropriate SPF number to protect your skin from tanning. Your lips and hair need sunscreen too. Use a lip balm with at least 15 SPF and invest in hair products that have good UV protection abilities. - Exfoliate: Exfoliate your skin at least twice a week. Clogged pores, blackheads, and white heads are common in summer. Exfoliating your skin can get rid of dirt and dead cells and unclog pores. Natural exfoliators like fruit scrub are best.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to flush out the toxins from your body. You can have healthy fluids, juices and water, but avoid colas and fizzy sodas as they may contain artificial sugars which can cause skin aging. Health authorities recommend drinking 8 ounce glasses of water or two liters of water every day.
- Take extra care of overexposed skin: In your skin has been overexposed to the sunrays, splash your face with cold water and soothe it with a hydrating gel-based moisturizer or a lotion that contains aloe vera gel.
- Avoid tanning beds: Tanning beds are linked to cancer. There are self-tanning towels and lotions that can provide a healthy-looking tan and glow.
- Take frequent, cold showers throughout the day: Prickly heat, rashes, and fungal infections are common challenges in summer. These issues arise due to the excessive sweating and oiliness, resulting in clogging of sweat glands. Taking frequent cold showers throughout the day can keep these issues at bay. Use anti-fungal powder and wear cotton or linen garments as they absorb the sweat and keep the body cool and dry.
- Use minimal makeup: Use minimal makeup in the summer. If you do use makeup, try to use a waterproof product. Keep makeup brushes clean to avoid microbial growth and simultaneous manifestation on your skin.
- Wear sunglasses: Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses can protect your eyes and the surrounding skin. Sunglasses will also ensure good visibility on a bright, sunny day.
- Sleep well: Don’t skip sleep. Lack of sleep can lead to increased levels of stress hormones that slow the production of collagen.
