Longer days, cloudless blue skies, not too cool nights—summer’s on the horizon. And nicer weather means more time spent outside in the heat and sun. As you plan your outdoor adventures, whether it’s a weekend camping trip or afternoon soccer game, it pays to keep skincare in mind. Here are five tips to keep your skin healthy while indulging in some of that sweet, sweet sunshine this summer.
Skincare is Seasonal
Hotter weather requires a skin routine rethink—lighter product during the day and heavier creams at night. Lightweight day moisturizers will absorb quickly, perfect to avoid your creams mixing in with sweat and naturally produced oils. Plan for any sun exposer situation by switching to a daytime moisturizer with a broad-spectrum SPF of 15+, skin tone depending. Whether your skin is naturally more oily or dry, there’s a product for every skin type, like this Protective Day Lotion and Cream from Celavive®†. And as the heat rises, lighten up on the makeup. Use bronzer on just the high points of your face and reduce your routine to only the essentials to show off a beautifully natural look.
After a long day of sweating—er, glistening—and sun exposure, nothing feels better than some nighttime skin rejuvenation. Throw your favorite sheet mask in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to enjoy a chillingly refreshing facial treatment. Take a cool shower to reduce your core body temperature, then use a moisturizer before completely drying off for added hydration. Your skin will feel nourished and you’ll sleep better, too.
Rethink Your Sunscreen
It’s true you can get a healthy dose of vitamin D from direct exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, but fairer-skinned folks may only need a quick 15 minutes to get their vitamin fix. And it’s no mystery that excessive exposure to those UV rays is a contributing factor for melanoma, a form of skin cancer. We all know it, yet we still painfully avoid putting on sunscreen—mention the acronym SPF and you can practically taste the bitter overspray in your youth.
Great news: you don’t need to resort to the same old sunscreen you grew up with. Turns out, there are some pretty bougie sunblocks out there, from mineral blends to lathering foams. I used Coppertone’s foaming sunscreen lotion on a recent trip to Arches National Park, and I’m completely sold. Plus, when you establish good sunscreen habits, your kids will, too. Remember to apply early and often, reapplying throughout the day as needed. And limit your UV time during the noon hours, when the sun’s rays are the strongest—and most damaging.
Make the Habit to Hydrate
Each one of your organs needs water to function properly, and your skin—comprised of the epidermis, dermis, and subcutis—is the largest organ of all. A lack of proper hydration, especially during the sweltering summer season, may leave skin itchy or dull, exaggerating the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I struggle to keep my H2O intake up outside of the office, so here are a few suggestions I use to keep hydration top of mind:
- Have a water bottle handy, which is easier to do when they can blend so beautifully with the décor.
- Keep a variety of naturally flavored sparkling waters in your home and wherever you work or play.
- Commit to drinking one full glass of water with, or before, every meal.
- Wake up to a glass of warm lemon water, and treat yourself to some tea and a good book as you prep for bed.
Whatever keeps you sipping is a win.
Take Your Vitamins
The right nutrients and minerals go a long way to promote healthy skin, even protecting from UV damage. Many vitamins promote a wide-range of skin benefits. In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C plays a role in collagen synthesis and neutralizing free radical damage. Vitamin E compounds are commonly found in moisturizers and serums. Early studies show combined vitamin C and E supplementation may help protect against UV damage by supporting photoprotection from UV light in skin. Vitamin B12 helps your body with protein metabolism and helps to regulate the production of pigment in the skin, and B6 keeps skin clear by supporting normal hormone regulation.
Vitamin K may help balance skin coloration by supporting blood circulation. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble antioxidant which helps maintain healthy collagen by neutralizing free radical damage stemming from both external and internal sources, including sunlight. Vitamin D is vital to help the epidermis lock in moisture, keeping skin soft and hydrated.
To get all these vitamin benefits, you could try to manage umpteen separate supplement bottles, or you could opt for something a little simpler. USANA Health Sciences®†, a leading company in the nutritionals industry, has a daily AM/PM supplement pack called the HealthPak™†, featuring an ideal blend of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.
Avoid the Burn
It can’t be overstated. Whatever you do, avoid any kind of sunburn and, while you’re at it, tanning in general—the effects are far from short term. Tan skin might look attractive in your 20s, but the effects of the tanning bed can be harsh in the long run. Premature aging of the skin and a 75 percent increased risk of melanoma make “sun-kissed” sound passé. Focus on your skin’s health through nutrition, lifestyle habits, and proper skincare to reveal your true radiance in the long run.
Everyone’s skin has varying tolerances to UV rays, but some medications may actually increase your risk, causing adverse reactions in the form of photoallergy and increased sun-sensitivity due to phototoxicity. If you do find yourself the victim of too much sun, you can alleviate the pain of the burn with a cool bath, aloe vera moisturizers, and lots of water, since sunburns draw fluid to the skin’s surface.
Go Forth and Enjoy Your Summer
This blog might have you feeling like a vampire, ready to burn up at the first sign of sunlight. But it isn’t so bad when enjoyed responsibly. In fact, a bit of sunshine every day is good for you—Harvard said it themselves. Grab your water bottle, pack your SPF, and head out to savor the warmer weather!
