Summer brings longer days and outdoor activities. As the temperature rises and the beaches fill with bikini-clad bodies, the need to protect your skin increases as well. Summer skin requires special care to protect it and keep it clean. By following some summer skin care tips, you can enjoy the warm weather without worrying about skin damage.
Protect
Overexposure to the sun's harsh rays may result in a nasty sunburn. In addition to the temporary pain, peeling skin and blotchiness, the Gale Encyclopedia for Alternative Medicine reports that repeated sunburns increase the risk of premature wrinkles, skin discoloration and even skin cancer.
Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen every two hours when you're outside helps protect your skin from overexposure. The Mayo Clinic suggests applying the sunscreen 30 minutes before you go outside for optimum protection.
Schedule your outdoor activities before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. to avoid the sun's harshest rays. In addition, wear a wide-brim hat that protects the face and neck from direct sun as well as a top with long sleeves and a pair of long pants.
Soothe
Sunburn can occur, despite your precautions. Soothe painful sunburn by rinsing the skin in lukewarm or cool water without scrubbing, and apply an over-the-counter sunburn relief solution or make your own. The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine recommends boiling lettuce in water, straining and cooling the liquid before applying to the skin.
Other sunburn soothers include cool plain yogurt, a salve made from cucumbers, liquefied in your blender, witch hazel and skim milk.
Clean and Moisturize
You may bathe or shower more often during the summer, but harsh soaps can remove protective oils from your skin, so limit your bath or shower time and use warm, not hot, water to reduce overdrying your skin. Apply moisturizer to your skin soon after showering or washing your face.
Summer Diet
Skin needs plenty of water to stay healthy ,but you're more likely to sweat bodily fluids during hot weather. Drink fresh water liberally throughout the day, taking bottled water with you when you're outdoors to avoid dehydration.
The Mayo Clinic recommends following a healthy diet that includes whole grain cereal products, plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, and lean sources of protein. Eating foods high in Vitamin C but low in saturated fats and carbohydrates might keep your skin looking younger, longer.
References
- Mayo clinic: Skin Care
- "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, Volume 4"; Jacqueline L. Longe; 2005
- Pioneer Thinking: What's in Your Beach Bag This Summer?
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