Talking about skin protection, we all know that the summer season is all about having fun in the sun. However, as you plan day trips to the beach and vacations, it’s important to remember how to keep yourself safe from harmful UV rays while sunbathing. Eventually, being outside in the sun is one of the best parts of summer, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe as long as you are exposed to the sun.
Sun safety is always in season. It’s important to protect your skin from sun damage throughout the year, no matter the weather. Why? Sun exposure can cause sunburn, skin aging (such as skin spots, wrinkles, or “leathery skin”), eye damage, and skin cancer. The epidermis acts as a protective barrier, keeping bacteria and germs from entering your body and bloodstream and causing infections.
It also protects against rain, sun, and other elements. The epidermis continually makes new skin cells. Sunburns hurt and can lead to skin cancer and sun damage that causes wrinkles and premature aging. Enjoy summer without worrying about your skin. For example, while water won’t protect you from the sun, it can prevent dehydration and keep your skin supple and healthy.
Water, vitamins and minerals are also a healthier choice to keep your body nourished. It’s better than popular summer beverages like sweet tea, soda, and juice. Since sweating and the heat from the sun dry out your skin faster than usual, keep water with you at all times to protect your skin and overall health. That said, some tips can help protect your skin during dry periods (summer seasons).
The Topmost Simple Skin Protection Steps To Consider During A Summer Season
The goal of any skin-care routine is to tune up your complexion so it’s functioning at its best and also troubleshoot or target any areas you want to work on. Beauty routines are an opportunity to notice changes within yourself. And, as your skin needs shift with age, so will your products. Still, it’s not about creating perfection. Fortify your skin and ground your day. Learn more in this video:
Great skin is not simply a matter of DNA — your daily habits have a big impact on what you see in the mirror. But depending on which product reviews you read or doctors you consult, there is a dizzying number of opinions on everything from moisturizing to protecting yourself from UV rays. Ultimately, caring for your skin is simply personal.
For skin protection, the most basic function of a moisturizer is to hydrate and soften the skin. Essentially, moisturizers assist in preventing water loss through the outer layers of the skin. They can also complement the naturally found protective oils and other building blocks within the skin, such as ceramides. This is one product that doctors recommend using year-round.
Perse, for all skin types. Skin naturally loses the ability to retain moisture as we age, and daily activities, such as washing, can strip out our natural skin hydrators from the surface. Everyone needs moisture, but the texture of your moisturizer will differ depending on your skin type. That said, here’s what more that you should keep in mind to sort through all the noise.
1. Use Protection (Like Sunscreen)
Summer is the best time to showcase your smooth legs, but showing more skin increases your risk of sun damage. The best way to protect your skin is by using sunscreen that blocks harmful UV rays. Even in cloudy weather, UV rays can damage your skin, and the easiest protection way is by adding a layer of sunscreen on all visible parts of your skin, including your face.
When looking for sunscreen, consider getting one that’s broad spectrum and protects against both types of UV rays. Experts recommend using SPF 30 or higher for the best protection, but if you’re fairer skin, you should choose SPF 50 or above when spending lots of time in the sun.
Sunscreen should be applied multiple times per day, especially if you’re swimming or sweating. For example, if you’re at the beach and go for a swim, you should reapply sunscreen after each dip because it can wash off. Daily and consistent sunscreen use help to prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles.
As well as textural imperfections, and changes in the appearance of pores over time. More importantly, daily sunscreen use can help to prevent the formation of certain skin cancers. To make it easy to remember, experts recommend using a daily moisturizer with a built-in broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30.
2. Wear A Hat/Face Mask
Hats with wide brims can keep the sun out of your eyes and off your face. Unfortunately, hats can’t protect your entire body, but they can protect the more delicate skin on your face that’s prone to sunburns, including your forehead, cheeks, and nose. Hats have one significant benefit over sunscreen: they don’t wear off.
But, they also can’t provide the same level of protection because they don’t cover your face. Therefore, you should still wear sunscreen on your face for added protection in the summer, even when wearing hats. To say that face masks have become popular lately is a bit of an understatement — Sephora has more than 400 varieties (60 of those launched a few months ago).
Realistically, most face masks offer highly concentrated treatments to address specific issues. But, unlike a toner or a serum, masks deliver ingredients under occlusion, which helps the ingredients absorb more efficiently. Then there’s the fun factor: Many of the latest innovations bubble up, turn colors and peel off. Yes, it’s a little gimmicky!
And this step is certainly not essential in your routine. Think of masks like boosters — not necessary but beneficial. Apply masks after serum but before moisturizer, unless it’s a leave-on overnight mask, which can take the place of your nighttime moisturizer. And, just like any product that supplements your regular routine, masks should also be used in moderation too.
3. Avoid Sunbathing (UV & UVB Rays)
Everyone enjoys the feel of the warm sun on their skin. However, sunbathing overexposes your skin to UV rays over an extended period. In addition, since most people sunbathe to tan their skin, they’re often wearing little protective clothing, so the sun is more damaging to the entire body.
If you choose to spend time outside during the summer, consider staying in the shade. You can use an umbrella at the beach to keep the sun off your skin. All of the experts we consulted unanimously agreed on one thing: Sunscreen is, hands down, the most crucial skin-care product. It’s “of utmost importance as part of your year-round regimen.
Personally, I typically advocate the use of sunscreens that contain a combination of physical and chemical blocking components. These will provide protection from both UVA and UVB rays, and typically do not create any visible residue.
4. Avoid Strong Rays (Use Creams)
The sun is strongest between 10 AM and 4 PM, so it’s ideal to stay indoors or in the shade during those times. Of course, the late morning and early afternoon are the best times to spend outside, with most people heading to the beach in the morning and staying all day. If you plan to go to the beach (or relax in your backyard spa), consider checking the UV index.
Specifically, through your favorite weather app — to learn how intense the rays are and find ways to keep yourself protected. You should also avoid taking your dog on a walk or exercising outside during this time because that’s when it’s hottest out, and it can contribute to dehydration and heat exhaustion. The next thing is to apply creams, during the day or at night.
Can you survive without eye cream? Absolutely. But, if you have specific concerns — like hyperpigmentation, dryness, or puffiness — you might want to try one. The skin around the eyes is quite thin and delicate, and more likely to react to irritating ingredients than other areas. Therefore, dermatologists recommend an eye cream to your rescue.
On one hand, creams you apply in the morning are equipped to protect your skin from the environmental aggressors you’ll face when you leave the house — many contain antioxidants to minimize pollution-based free radicals and sunscreen to shield you from ultraviolet radiation. Typically, they are known to have a lightweight consistency.
Night creams, on the other hand, focus on repairing any damage you might have picked up with ingredients like retinol to speed cellular turnover and counteract dark spots. These creams also replenish moisture levels, which naturally dip in the evening, with emollients that often create a rich, thick texture.
5. Protect Your Body (Use Facial Oil)
You should also take care of your overall body wellness not to be exposed to so much sun. And, one way to protect your body from too much exposure, especially, your face is by using some recommended facial oil products. Touted as a pure and natural way to improve your skin, botanical facial oils — are infused with plant and farm-fresh extracts.
And, it does not stop there even — for they have exploded into the mainstream market lately. Still, experts often advise caution when dousing yourself, as not all oils are created equal. I recommend avoiding essential oils or those with added perfumes, which increase the potential protection against skin irritation.
The key benefits of facial oils:
- Intensely hydrate without leaving a greasy residue. Look for: maracuja oil.
- Brighten and even out your skin tone. Look for: olive oil.
- Rid bacteria and soothe acne-prone skin. Look for: marula oil.
- Calm red inflamed skin, and ease the symptoms of rosacea. Look for: rosehip oil.
For your information, most facial oils can be used twice daily, both morning and night. They should be applied after facial serums and gels but before your creams and lotions. Spread a dime-size amount between your palms and pat it on, targeting the outer areas of the face, and then sweeping in toward the center, around your eyes, nose, and lips.
In the same fashion, summer is also a time for sandals, but they don’t protect your feet from the sun. If you choose to go barefoot outside or wear sandals, consider adding a layer of sunscreen just to keep your feet protected no matter what.
6. Check Your Skin (Avoid Irritation)
It’s important to monitor your skin for signs of skin cancer and damage, including new spots and changes in moles. If you notice any symptoms of skin cancer, consult your doctor and continue to monitor your skin throughout the year. Many times skin irritation, from acne to eczema, can be traced back to overzealous habits.
Unfortunately, a lot of what clinical officers do is get people back to having healthy skin from the overuse of products. Whilst, stripping cleansers, and items that over-exfoliate or contain sensitizing ingredients — though they were used as a foundation for healthy skin, it took them farther away from it. To bring your skin back to its baseline, use holistic remedies.
Consider some of these simple steps:
- Run cold water over your pulse points, such as your wrists, to lower your internal body temperature, which calms your skin.
- Apply an oatmeal mask to rid yourself of inflammation. Mix dried oats with a few spoonfuls of water. Spread this paste on your skin, and let it sit until it’s semi-dry, then rinse off.
- Use chilled, steeped green tea as a rinse that you splash on your face. EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate), a polyphenol in green tea, has an “immediate soothing effect.”
In addition, you can also try acupuncture to improve circulation, digestion, and immunity internally, all of which support healthy skin externally. Start with weekly treatments initially, and then monthly maintenance sessions.
7. Consider Medications (Use Serums)
Some medications may increase your sun sensitivity, including antibiotics and over-the-counter pain medications like aspirin and ibuprofen. Always check with your doctor to ensure your medication won’t contribute to sunburns or cause a sensitivity that makes going outside during the summer uncomfortable. What about serums treatment?
Simply put, serums are powerful skin allies. Filled with concentrated doses of active ingredients, these elixirs can mitigate a number of issues, from dark spots to wrinkles. Even if you don’t have any specific issues, everyone still needs a general antioxidant serum in the morning to protect from daily aggressors. There are “limitless options” for ingredients.
8. Avoid Tanning Beds (Try Cleaners)
While summer is the perfect season to get a glowing tan, you should avoid tanning beds at all costs because they produce harmful UV rays, increasing the risk of skin cancer. Additionally, tanning beds don’t decrease your risk of sunburn by giving you a base tan, so there’s no reason to use them before, during, or after summer. If things go south, consider a cleanser.
Washing your face is the most basic and essential step of any routine. Our skin comes in contact with environmental pollutants, dirt, and other factors each day that should be gently removed. Wash twice a day, morning and night, to avoid clogged pores, dullness, and acne. The right formula cleanses your skin without stripping essential, healthy oils.
Take it easy with exfoliating scrubs (use once a week) and avoid those with crushed walnut shells or abrasive ingredients. But, depending on which product reviews you read or doctors you consult, there is a dizzying number of opinions on everything from how to moisturize to how to protect yourself from UV rays. Ultimately, caring for your skin is simply personal.
9. Cover Your Skin (Use Toners)
Summer heat makes it difficult to be comfortable in too much clothing. However, keeping your skin covered protects it from UV rays without the need for sunscreen. Opt for lightweight and breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, and bamboo when spending time in the sun. For many, the word “toner” brings to mind stinging astringents from the ’80s.
The original was an alcohol-based product that was used to dry up oily skin and remove any leftover dirt following cleansing. Today’s formulas, however, have evolved. Think of them as supplements — these thin liquids deliver an extra shot of nutrients. Whilst, helping the other products in your regimen absorb better, while still balancing your complexion.
Toners should be done after cleansing and before putting on anything else. The traditional application method is to saturate a cotton pad and pass it over your face. But, you may end up losing a lot of products. Applying toner with clean hands is the most efficient. Just pour a few drops in your palm, then swipe it on. Or if you prefer, you can pull apart a cotton pad.
So that it’s not so thick before putting toner on it. Most formulas can be used morning and night, but you might want to use those with exfoliating acids only at night or every other day.
10. Make Healthy Choices (Avoid Premature Aging)
With any skin-care product, apply in order of consistency — from thinnest to thickest. For example, cleanser, toner (if you use it), serum, and then moisturizer. Think of your skin-care routine as consisting of three main steps as follows:
- Cleansing — Washing your face
- Toning — Balancing the skin
- Moisturizing — Hydrating and softening the skin
Unfortunately, the sun isn’t the only thing you have to worry about during the summer when it comes to your skin. Your lifestyle choices, including your diet and how you treat your skin, can affect your skin health. Of course, you should avoid smoking to maintain healthy skin and prevent premature aging. Additionally, you should use daily moisturizers to your rescue.
And also, eat a healthy diet that provides your skin with all the vitamins and minerals it needs. Of course, you can read stress on your face — literally since high levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) can weaken your skin, bring on acne and even accelerate wrinkling. Exercise regularly, get your rest, meditate, or find ways to feel positive. Definitely, the results will show.
Final Thoughts:
Truth be told, the science behind skin-care products has come a long way but there’s still no such thing as an instant fix — you need time to reap the benefits. Results are only seen through consistent use only. Generally, aim to use a product over at least six weeks, once or twice daily, to notice a difference.
In nutshell, if a product claims to be non-comedogenic it means that it shouldn’t clog pores or trigger acne — either by occluding the skin, blocking glands, or irritating the hair follicle. The claim is not regulated by the F.D.A., however, and many companies do their own internal tests to determine whether a product should be considered comedogenic or not.
Some commonly known comedogenic ingredients are coconut oil and cocoa butter. Typically, the fewer ingredients a product has, the easier it is to determine if it will cause any reactions. Of course, with so many activities available in the summer, you too don’t want to stay inside or indoors all the time, right?
However, going outside can harm your health if you don’t protect your skin. Always use sunscreen on any visible skin and cover up as much as possible while remaining comfortable. You should also continue to take care of your skin using hydrating products and moisturizers that contain SPF for additional coverage. You can Contact Us if you’ll need more help.
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