Summer’s here, and chances are, you already have plans for a relaxing vacation and some serious downtime to recharge your batteries. Many people spend the months leading up to summer with diets meant to give them the perfect “beach body.” Unfortunately, many of those same people often neglect a major component of their physical health—their skin. Summer sun and humidity can take a toll on your skin; as a way of heading this off, here are our top tips for making sure your skin stays healthy this summer.
Exfoliate
One important routine you should practice is exfoliating your skin; do this every day, first thing in the morning before you add anything else to your skin, like sunscreen or make-up. Use a loofah or exfoliating brush along with a scrub designed for this purpose. By doing so, you will get rid of the dead skin and other impurities that can clog up your pores and make your skin oily.
Hydrate
Most people know that water is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle, but many don’t realize how much the skin needs hydration as well. Adults should drink at least 64 ounces of water daily (that’s eight, eight-ounce glasses of water); this prevents skin from drying out, especially if you plan on spending time outdoors, and contributes to an overall healthier feeling.
Don’t be afraid to apply extra hydration such as moisturizing creams and masks. Toners can also be used throughout the day to help touch up your skin if it starts to get dry.
Sunscreen
We cannot stress this enough: if you are going to spend any time outdoors this summer, you absolutely must make sure that you apply sunscreen before heading out. The American Association of Dermatologists recommends using a sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 30. If you are fair skinned or burn easily, you will probably want a much higher SPF. We also recommend mineral-based sunscreen.
Plan on making time to reapply your sunscreen several times throughout the day. As a rule of thumb, you should put on more sunscreen every time you get out of the water and, if not swimming, you should still add more about every two hours. If you do get sunburned, use a soothing aloe-based gel to take the sting out and help your skin start to heal.
This summer, resolve to take better care of your skin. Healthy skin doesn’t just reflect good physical health, but it can also help boost your self-esteem and confidence.