Skincare Tips for Glowing Summer Skin

With summer fast approaching, there’s a lot that we’re looking forward to. Tropical cocktails, pool parties, outdoor trips and the warmth of the sun’s rays, what’s not to love about summer? Unfortunately, the warmer weather is somewhat of a bittersweet event.

On the one hand, we can spend an entire afternoon soaking up some vitamin D. But on the other hand, too much sunlight exposure takes a toll on our skin health. As Mayo Clinic dermatologist Dr. Dawn Davis explains, excess sun exposure causes skin damage, and in extreme cases, skin cancer and premature aging.

Want to keep your skin glowing during summer? Check out these science-backed tips.

Exfoliate

During summer, it’s not easy to determine whether you should exfoliate or not. But as Dr. Kally Papantoniou explains, you should still exfoliate. This is to get rid of the dead cells sitting on your skin; hence revealing the smoother, brighter skin underneath.

The only thing you have to be mindful about is the frequency at which you exfoliate and the products you use.

With frequency, base your decision on how active you are. If you’re not as active, exfoliate once a week. But if you spend most of your time outdoors, you can hold off on this practice.

Next, find a gentle scrub. In the event that you can’t find a summer-friendly scrub, Dr. Kally recommends using natural substitutes. For instance, you can apply a thin layer of honey and leave it to sit for between 10 and 15 minutes before rinsing it off.

Ditch your Winter Beauty Products

Once the summer season begins, you’ll want to tweak your skincare products. As tempted as you might be to continue using your wintry products, resist that urge.

Here’s the deal: the rising temperature and humidity levels trigger your skin to pump out more oils. By applying the heavy products that you used during winter, you’re creating the perfect recipe for disaster, that is, pores and breakouts.

Instead, opt for lighter lotions, moisturizers and serums. You should also take your skin type into account. For normal skin types, use water-based moisturizers. For oily skin, use gel-based ones and for extra oily skin, invest in facial sprays with minerals that enrich your skin.

Remember to Hydrate

You’ve probably heard this so often that it’s become a cliche. Interestingly, a recent survey by Quench revealed that American workers don’t drink enough water.

Now, if you want to maintain your radiant skin in summer, it’s important that you hydrate. Think of it as a part of your daily routine. If you have a tendency to forget, set a reminder on your smartphone or computer.

If you’re still reluctant to adopt this habit, consider these incredible skin benefits you’ll get from hydrating:

• Flushes out toxins; hence keep your skin clean
• Makes your skin glow
• Prevents premature aging

Apart from taking the recommended amount of fluids, choose skincare products made with hydrating formulas.

Don’t Skimp on the Sunscreen

This may seem like a no-brainer, but forgetting to wear sunscreen is among the most common summer skincare mistakes.

UV rays can damage your skin any time of the year, but more so during summer because you’re more likely to be exposed then.

So how often should you wear sunscreen to keep your skin glowing? The American Academy of Dermatology suggests reapplying it every two hours if you’ll be in an outdoor environment. If you’ll stay indoors, apply sunscreen on those areas that won’t be covered by any clothing.

It’s also crucial that you choose the right sunscreen for the season. Here are a few pointers to guide you:

• Use broad-spectrum sunscreens – these protect you against the two types of UV light: UVA and UVB rays
• Look for sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more – these products can block out up to 97% of the sun’s harmful rays
• Go for water-resistant brands- this way, the sunscreen can’t be washed off easily when you sweat or go for a swim

Eat Right

Want to get a youthful and healthy skin complexion? Well, you have to start from within, that is, be mindful of what you eat.

If you’re constantly chowing down on processed foods that are high in unhealthy fats, sugar and devoid of essential nutrients, this is going to manifest in the form of dull skin. In the worst scenarios, you might end up with acne, dry and oily skin as well as dark eye circles.

The recommended foods for glowing skin are:

• Fish such as salmon and mackerel are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that boost skin health
• Sunflower seeds also contain several skin-boosting nutrients like vitamin E, selenium and zinc
• Cooked tomatoes are rich in lycopene, which enhances collagen. Collagen is the protein responsible for giving your skin its tight and youthful attribute
• Carrots contain beta-carotene and vitamin A, to prevent overproduction of cells on your skin’s exterior layer

Final Thoughts

As you go about enjoying the warm summer weather, you should not forget to care for your skin. Even if you’re not prone to sunburns, extended exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is harmful to your skin. More specifically, this UV light can cause it to appear dull, rough, and blotchy.

For a glowing summer skin, ensure you hydrate, eat superfoods that promote skin health, exfoliate, invest in sunscreen and other weather-friendly skincare products.