While we all love summer and spending time outdoors, we need to understand that UV rays has a very bad effect on our skins. Healthy skin is the reflection of overall health condition of an individual. Summer is the time when our skin needs more protection. Taking care of your skin in summer, in comparison to winter follows a different recipe. Hot weather conditions can be very challenging for the skin. Skin problems like heat rash, dry skin, oily skin, dark spots, pigmentation, wrinkles and even skin cancer are more common in summer.
10 tips that will help contribute to healthier skin this summer:
1. Sunscreen: When you go outside, wear a protective hat and clothing, sunglasses, and apply sunscreen with an SPF greater than, or equal to, 30, at least 30 minutes before going outside. Take the sunscreen with you so that you can keep applying it over a period of time as the sunscreen wears off. Re-apply every 2 hours.
2. Hydrate yourself: Dehydration causes dry skin, spots and lack of glow. The likelihood of being dehydrated in summer is very high because our bodies lose water through sweat, hence it’s important to increase water intake during summer time. It is also advisable to include fruits and vegetables in your diet during summer season, as all of them include water content in some way or the other.
3. Rinse skin after swimming
In summer, we often swim to cool our bodies down from the heat. However it’s important to rinse after swimming, especially in water with chlorine as it can dry out your skin and for some people it can even cause allergic reactions which could damage your skin further.
4. Stay out of the sun between 10am and 3pm
The hottest times of the day are the most damaging to the skin. Don’t stay out in the sun for long periods of time around the hottest hours because the longer you are out, the more your skin is exposed to radiation which causes damage to the skin.
5. Switching moisturisers when the seasons change.
Your skin needs less moisture in summer than in winter. So switch to a lighter moisturizer during the summer months. Do remember to witch to a heavier one as winter approaches.
6. Ditch the obsession with a tan.
Sunbathing or using a solarium increases your chances of damaging your skin and getting skin cancers. Moreover, sunbathing will add a good 20 years to your age by dehydrating and wrinkling your skin. Do you really want that?
7. Using a toner and exfoliator: A skin toner will keep the pores closed and keep the skin cool. You can try rose water as its natural cooling properties are excellent for summer. You should exfoliate your skin two to three times a week as it will help in removing unwanted dead skin which may be clogging your pores and also improving blood circulation to the face.
8. Getting at least 7 – 8 hours of sleep a day.
9. Clean your face at least twice a day morning and evening.
Apply a light-weight moisturiser.
10. Use waterproof or no make-up: Make-up becomes a mess during summer because of the rise in temperature. Use light make-up which is water proof. Make-up tends to block the pores and causes excess oil build-up.
Remember when the seasons change, so does your wardrobe, diet and lifestyle. It is vital to make the necessary changes and adjustments to your skin care routine as well. But do apply your sunscreen even in Winter. The UVA rays are as prevalent in Winter as it is in Summer.