Summer Skin

If you’re not wearing a winter coat or spring sweater, why should your skin? Just like your wardrobe, your skin-care routine may need to be a little more lightweight.

The blazing sun and the scorching heat can be unforgiving, especially to your skin. Pollution and other environmental contaminants take away your skin’s natural radiance leaving it oily, dull, and blemished.

Here are some tips to help your skin stay radiant and healthy all summer long.

1. Consider a Change to Your Face Wash.

The heat and humidity of summer means you can swap out that heavier cleanser (like cream or Oil cleansers) for a gentle, foaming option. Summertime requires a face wash that can draw out the excess oil from your skin. If you have dry skin, consider using a non-foaming gentle cleanser. This would be ideal for combination skin as well.

 

2. Include Antioxidants in your Facial skin-care routine.

Invest in a good antioxidant serum during the summer. It will hydrate and protect your skin from environmental damage. It will also help to boost collagen production, and will scavenge harmful free radicals to prevent skin damage. Remember that you can include antioxidants in your skin care regimen by adding them to your diet as well. Stock up on citrus fruits, green and leafy vegetables, green tea, nuts, and whole grains to have younger looking skin.

 

3. Keep Your Skin Hydrated

To help lighten things up, switch to a combination moisturizer and reef safe sunscreen with SPF 30+.  Thicker moisturizers can lead to clogged pores, inflammation, and Acne, especially if you have Acne-prone or oily skin. Losing one skin-care step with a combination moisturizer/SPF can help keep skin clear.

 

4. Exfoliate Regularly for Smoother Skin

Summer is the time when your skin requires moisture as well as hydration. Invest in a good hydrating mask which you use a couple of times a week. Wash your face first and apply the mask as directed at night to repair, rehydrate, and soothe your skin. A mask can treat specific skin conditions like dryness, Acne, oil, etc. Pick the appropriate mask and spend those 10 extra minutes on wiping away the stress, fatigue, and blemishes from your skin.

NOTE: Exfoliation is required for your entire body and not just your face. You should, however, make sure to be gentle while exfoliating your skin. Do not over-exfoliate because your skin will get bruised and you may end up getting rashes. People with sensitive skin should opt for mild exfoliators that are tender on the skin.

 

5. Wear Sunscreen

Sunscreen should be your best friend during summers. Choose one that has a broad ultraviolet spectrum (between 30-50 SPF and covers UVA and UVB rays). Reapply every three hours if you are spending all day in the sun. Make sure to cover your hands, feet, shoulders, and neck as well.

6. Cut Down on Makeup

Summer means that you should ease up on the makeup. Wear minimal facial makeup to allow the skin to breathe better. Take a close look at your makeup product labels and only keep those that are non-comedogenic (formulated without pore-clogging ingredients). Humidity and heat suppress the skin’s ability to breathe and stress it out. Avoid anything heavy on the face.

7. Use a Refreshing Toner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using a good toner can help you close open pores. This is essential in summer to prevent oil accumulation in the open pores. The T-zone of the face has the largest concentration of sebaceous glands and will tend to look the slickest in the summer months. Pay attention to this zone while toning your face. Use a cucumber or Aloe Vera based toner which is light and refreshing.

8. Take Special Care of the Eye Region

While you choose moisturizers and toners for your face, remember that the skin around your eyes is much thinner and more delicate as compared to the rest of your face. Pick a good under eye gel that has hyaluronic acid, cucumber, or even honey. These ingredients keep the skin around the eyes hydrated and prevent wrinkle formation.

 

10. Stay in the shade and stay hydrated.

Wear sun-protective clothing, wide-brim hats, and sunglasses in the sun. We don’t expect you to wear a long-sleeve shirt every single moment you’re on the beach, but be mindful to expose as little of your body as possible to direct sunlight. That might mean sitting under an umbrella, wearing an extra-large hat, or avoiding the mid-day sun.

Hydration is always important for our skin, but even more so in the summer. Aim for 8 glasses of water daily. Hydration can help skin recover after a sunburn, BUT we know you are too smart to get those in the first place.