Summer is almost here! You can finally wear your favorite dresses, go to beach, and have fun. But, while you’re having fun, you shouldn’t neglect your skin. Hot temperatures, sun’s UV rays, and many other factors take their toll on your skin. Plus, skin tends to be oilier during the summer and to avoid the awkward shine on your face you have to take care of your skin properly. This article lists ten tips for daytime skincare that will help you protect your skin and improve its appearance this summer.
1. Protect your lips
This tip is number one for a reason – lips are largely overlooked in skincare during summer. But, just because there are no more cold temperatures, snow, and harsh winds, it doesn’t mean your lips don’t need protection. In fact, you should protect your lips throughout the year as the skin there is very delicate and prone to chapping or peeling. Sun’s damaging UV rays dry out lip tissue which is why you should purchase lip balm with SPF of at least 15.
2. Choose right moisturizer
Seasons change and so should products you use. Moisturizers aren’t exceptions from this rule. Applying heavy moisturizer during summer is equally uncomfortable as wearing a winter coat in July. Summers are more humid and coupled with heavy and oily moisturizers your skin can look overly oily. It’s needless to mention this can clog your pores and cause acne breakouts. Since your skin needs moisturizer during summer as well, you should opt for products with water-based, light formula. For example, look for moisturizers that are described as milks or lotions.
3. Use gentle soaps
Most dermatologists recommend avoiding soaps during winter. During winter your skin tends to be dry and using soaps could aggravate it and make it drier. Summer is a different story and experts explain soaps are beneficial to use. The heat and sweat during summer could lead to breakouts and bacteria breeding. Therefore, washing the oilier areas of your body with soaps can help your skin control oil production and keep your skin free of bumps. Don’t go for any soap you see, make sure the bar is gentle to your skin.
4. Apply sunscreen religiously
Although it might seem obvious to you, applying sunscreen is something that most people do wrong. It’s needless to mention that a vast majority of people doesn’t apply sunscreen at all. However, prolonged exposure to UV rays without proper protection can lead to negative consequences such as fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, and many other skin conditions.
• Prevents hyperpigmentation
• Reduces appearances of blotchiness
• Slows down appearance of saggy and wrinkly skin
That’s not all, the Journal of Clinical Oncology study conducted by Adele C. Green and the research group of the University of Queensland in Australia discovered that applying sunscreen regularly prevents melanoma.
Here are some tips for applying sunscreen:
• Use a sunscreen of SPF30 or higher
• Apply sunscreen about 15 to 30 minutes before you go out
• Most adults need at least one ounce of sunscreen to fully cover all exposed areas of the body
• Don’t forget your neck, ears, face, legs, and tops of your feet
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours.
5. Use a face mist
If you’re going to spend a day on the beach then you should bring a face mist and keep it in your ice chest. Face mists are rich in antioxidants and along with cooling effect they also help strengthening the skin’s outer layer. It’s because antioxidants attack free radicals and prevent any further damage to the skin.
6. Take a cold shower
You’re home from the beach and decide to take a shower. Instead of hot shower that could dry out your skin, cold shower will keep your skin unoccluded thus decreasing acne breakouts. This is particularly beneficial for all of you who have to deal with acne every summer.
7. Don’t forget protecting your eyes
Skin around your eyes lacks sebaceous glands which is why signs of aging appear there first. During hot summer days, you have to pay special attention to protecting delicate skin around your eyes. Here are a few tips:
• Wear sunglasses with complete UV protection
• Avoid rubbing your eyes
• Wear hats and sunglasses
• Apply moisturize in area around your eyes and make sure you apply sunscreen thoroughly at that area as well
• Seek shade.
During night, apply eye cream.
8. Choose right cleanser
Cleanser is one of the most important parts of skincare routine. It removes dirt and debris from your skin’s layers and it improves absorption of other skincare products. That’s why it’s important to choose the right product. During summer, you should go for gentle cleansers and make sure they don’t contain alcohol. Cleansers that contain alcohol could aggravate your acne breakouts. When looking for best cleanser for face you should make sure the product is formulated for your skin type and that it doesn’t contain irritating or “heavy” ingredients.
Nowadays, you can buy cleansers with citrus notes for summer. They are packed with Vitamin C which is a potent antioxidant.
9. Use a toner
Toner is probably the most underestimated skincare product. If you don’t have the habit of using toner, then you should definitely start. Toner removes final traces of debris that cleanser might have missed and it keeps your skin cool. Ideally, you should go for toners that don’t contain alcohol. For example, you can opt for rose water because its natural cooling properties are ideal for summertime.
10. Include antioxidants
Antioxidants are the key in summer daytime skincare. As mentioned above, they destroy free radicals; which means they will reduce damage caused by UV rays. That’s why, when buying skincare products for summer, you should make sure they contain potent antioxidants such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, green tea, coenzyme Q10 etc.
Conclusion
Daytime skincare routine during summer revolves around opting for lighter versions of moisturizers, cleansers and other products and buying items with antioxidant ingredients. It’s important to apply sunscreen religiously as well as to protect delicate skin around eyes and on your lips. With gentle formulas your skin can be protected, smooth, and acne-free this summer.