We all love the summer and the opportunities it gives us to slip on our bikinis, hit the beach and top up our vitamin D levels.
However, whilst your parent’s generation were told that getting a tan was a healthy and protective thing to do, experts no longer advocate this.
In fact, when the sun is at its hottest and most prolonged, your skin can be affected by sweat and heat. To the point that it may become saggy, more wrinkled and less elastic. Or worse, afflicted with rashes or blemishes.
For many women, the summer months actually result in them adopting a new beauty routine to counteract the hotter temperatures.
If you are worried about how your skin is going to cope with the warmer period, here are some things you can do to keep it ship shape.
Thoroughly cleanse and exfoliate your skin
It is worth cleansing and exfoliating your skin thoroughly every morning and night, even if you don’t have makeup on.
Before going to bed, be sure to wash your face properly. It is also worth your while to lightly exfoliate, as this is a good way to rid yourself of dead skin and stave off the threat of clogged pores of breakouts.
Your skin may become a bit more sensitive as a result of this, so it is also a good idea to put on a light moisturizer as well.
If you clean your skin twice a day with both traditional and exfoliating products, you’ll find it should be clear of dead skin cells, and generally much smoother and gentle overall.
Stave off acne
One of the biggest issues with enjoying too much time in the sun is the amount you will sweat.
This can subsequently lead to a clogging of your pores and excessive oil production, which often can result in acne.
To stave off acne, it is a good idea to use a good spot treatment for your face, as well as a gentle treatment on your body.
Add Vitamin C to your routine
Vitamin C is very good for your skin and can help it in several ways. As Vitamin C is an antioxidant it also protects your skin against any potential free radical damage. It can also prevent pigment cells from forming pigmented blotches, or spots on your skin, after prolonged exposure to the sun.
In addition to eating foods that are rich in vitamin C and taking supplements, you can also use skincare products that have this nutrient within your daily beauty routine.
Just be mindful that if Vitamin C does not have protection from air, it can quickly start to degrade. For this reason, pretty much all quality skincare products that have vitamin C in them, come in an air-proof container.
Use eye masks
During the summer, we often tend to stay out later and party a bit more.
While this is lots of fun and all, it usually results in going to bed later, which in turn can result in less sleep and puffy eyes.
A good way to counter the extra puffiness is with eye masks.
For added refreshment, put them in the fridge, so they are ready to be utilised whenever you have had a really late night of drinking, and nowhere near enough sleep.
Use a facial rejuvenation treatment
If you are concerned about the prolonged effects of the sun on your skin, another great thing to do in the summer is to have a facial rejuvenation treatment like dermal fillers.
Dermal fillers can help replace volume loss in the face, and soften any wrinkles on the skin.
Shower cool
Whilst a hot shower might feel like the perfect way to wake up, it actually isn’t great for your skin.
By contrast, lukewarm, or even better, cool to cold showers can be very beneficial for it, as well as your system as a whole.
In the summer months, try and shower in as cool a water temperature as you can bear. As hot water tends to rid your skin of more of its natural oils.
Cooler showers also have the added plus of making your shiny hair too!
Facial mists
During the summer, facial mists are a good thing to carry in your handbag, purse or beach bag.
These have several beneficial properties including giving your skin a boost. As well as enhancing your mood and providing aromatherapy.
As we tend not to wear as much makeup in the warmer months, they are an ideal thing to have on hand for a fast blitz of hydration.
If you are after a serious refresh when you are at the beach, be sure to keep a bottle in your esky!
Use proper sunscreen for long period of outdoor time
We all know that too much exposure to the sun can lead to a greater risk of skin cancer and sunburn.
But even a fairly light tan can make your skin wrinkled and saggy by destroying your skin’s natural elastic fibres. It can also lead to hyperpigmentation too.
Whenever you head out into the sun be sure to slip, slop, slap with a sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 30 or higher. Apply sunscreen at least half an hour before you head out into the sun, and at least every two hours when you are out there. Always apply liberal and even amounts to all parts of your exposed skin.
Correct sunspots
Unfortunately, sunspots do tend to become more pronounced in the warmer months of summer, particularly when you develop a bit of a tan. Subsequently, it is a good idea to use a spot corrector.
Apply it during the day under your sunscreen, or at night prior to moisturising, to keep them in check.
Protect your scalp
If you don’t like wearing a hat when you are in the sun, then a sunburnt scalp is a possibility.
A simple trick to reduce your chances of suffering from this, is to put sunblock on any exposed areas of your scalp like the parting.
This will help avoid a situation where your scalp becomes red and eventually begins to peel.
Use a light moisturiser once you get back indoors
Whilst you might have enjoyed your time in the sun, your body will have increased your skin’s oil production. Which means it will have retained its moisture far better.
Therefore, it might be a good idea to use a much lighter moisturiser during the summer months, as opposed to the heavier and richer products you might use in winter.
Refrigerate your products
If you live in a very hot climate, it is a good idea to keep your skincare products in the refrigerator. As this could result in your face, or eye cream, feeling much more soothing.
Before putting any of your products in the fridge, be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions first, to ensure that doing this won’t make it less effective.