As we find ourselves drenched in the heat and humidity of Summer months, you may notice a difference in the way your skin reacts to the products you use on a daily basis. As the weather changes, so does your skin, in order to keep your skin healthy and radiant, it is important to adjust your skincare routine as the months go by.
This Summer, use the following skincare tips to ensure you are protecting your skin from damage and wrinkles, while still enjoying a bit of a bronze glow.
Exfoliate Your Skin
During the summer, you’re outdoors more often, exposed to dirt, oils and even pollution around the city. As these elements combine with dry and damaged skin, they can affect the size and health of your pores and often cause breakouts. Find an exfoliating cleanser or an exfoliating brush, such as Clarisonic facial cleansing brushes, to cleanse your face. For the body, look for exfoliating body cleansers or scrubs, as well as exfoliating body brushes. These will help to clear your skin from the remaining dry cells and help to remove any buildup that may be dwelling in your pores.
Pay Attention to Sensitive Areas
Many people forget about protecting the-the lips and the scalp. These areas need the same level of protection as the rest of your body. The scalp often is protected by hair, but during the summer it is common to suffer from a sunburn around the hairline or part in the hair due to elongated exposure. Be sure to invest in a spray-on, hair-safe sunscreen this summer, or find an attractive Summer hat with a wide brim!
Protect your lips on a daily basis by finding a lip balm with SPF and apply it regularly throughout the day. This will ensure that you avoid a major burn on your lips, as the skin is so thin and often goes unprotected.
Apply SPF Throughout the Day
It is absolutely necessary for the long-term health of your skin that you look for a facial lotion with a minimum SPF 30 for the daytime, or find a sunscreen that is oil free for your face. Our Whole Beauty® Skincare Collection includes a facial sunscreen with SPF 30 and three finishes: emollient, matte, and tinted. Protecting your skin from the sun not only prevents melanoma; it helps to ward off wrinkles and slow the aging process and its toll on your skin. Reapplying sunscreen every few hours that you spend in the sun is always a key to a safe summer.
Moderate Your Time in the Sun
Spending the whole day under the sun is an ideal way to enjoy your Summer. However, your skin will not thank you when you are peeling from a sunburn! We suggest keeping track of your time in the sun by spending one hour in shade for every hour you are in direct sunlight. Whether that means bringing an umbrella to the beach, wearing a hat to protect your face, or heading inside to give your skin a break, you will be thankful that you planned ahead and saved your skin from serious damage.
Cool Down
Warm shower feels great, although applying hot water to your skin after time in the sun further dries your skin and encourages the body to continue sweating. A cool or cold shower will clear the buildup from your sweat and help to soothe the skin after a day in the sun, diminishing any inflammation.
Take Care of Your Burns
When your skin burns, the most important step to take to prevent further damage is by decreasing the swelling. Start by icing affected areas for about 10 minutes, then follow up with hydrocortisone cream and anti-inflammatory medication to keep swelling down. This will calm the skin and allow the healing process to begin. As the burn begins to heal, aloe vera may be beneficial in keeping skin cool and preventing peeling.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Hydrating your skin starts from the inside. Be sure to fuel your body all summer with plenty of water as well as foods that contain and retain water well. These may include melons, leafy greens, and raw vegetables like celery. A healthy diet is always beneficial in keeping your skin looking flawless.
For more information on how you can have gorgeous skin all year long, contact the Whole Beauty Institute at 312-751-2112 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Cook.