For some people, summer means spending time at the beach, hanging out with friends, and getting that tan you’ve always wanted. But with the COVID-19 pandemic still making waves across the globe, others may be putting their summer plans on hold. While your summer plans may still be up in the air, this doesn’t mean that your sun protection has to be.
One thing that many people aren’t aware of is that UV rays are almost always present. On cloudy and rainy days, these harmful rays can still negatively affect your skin and health. As they say, prevention is better than cure, so taking precautionary measures to avoid damaging your skin is important as the summer months approach. From staying hydrated to avoid the sun at certain times, here are a few ways you can take care of your skin without missing out on the summer fun.
Have a Good Skincare Routine
Maintaining a good skincare routine that you follow regularly is important to keep your skin looking its best and help you avoid acne, wrinkles, and other skin problems. If you’re new to skincare, it’s important to use weather-appropriate products that suit your skin type for your routine to do the job properly.
The first thing you need to note before establishing your skincare routine is figuring out your skin type. Four basic skin types can help you determine which products are best for you: normal, dry, oily, and combination skin. Once you’ve figured out your skin type, consider researching what types of products are the most effective for your skin. For example, those with oily skin would benefit from using gel-type cleansers and moisturizers that feel lighter on the skin and prevent greasiness in the middle of the day.
It also helps to look for products that help with any skin problems you may be having. If you have combination skin and are prone to acne, you may want to look into a facial wash that best deals with acne while being compatible with combination skin. Remember to take a close look at the products you’re using or are planning to buy because if you’re not using the right product for your skin, it may not be effective on your skin, or you could end up dealing with more skin issues than you started with.
Choose Your Sunscreen Wisely
One of the most important ways to protect your skin from the harsh summer sun is by using sunscreen, but just any sunscreen won’t do. Be mindful of the following things the next time you shop for a bottle of sunscreen:
- Make sure that the bottle says that your sunscreen is “water-resistant.” This ensures that your sunscreen won’t wear off when you start to sweat or go for a swim. In most cases, water-resistant sunscreen lasts anywhere from 40 to 80 minutes before you need to reapply.
- The bottle should also have the phrase “broad spectrum” on it, meaning that it can protect you from both UVA and UVB rays that can harm your skin.
- When looking at how much SPF a sunscreen offers, dermatologists recommend getting one with SPF 30 or higher. Sunscreens that have SPF 30 block 97% of the sun’s UVB rays, and those with higher SPF can block out slightly more than that. It’s also important to remember that whether your sunblock has an SPF of 30 or an SPF higher than 30, they both wear off at the same right and need to be reapplied after a couple of hours.
Don’t Forget to Exfoliate.
We’re more likely to sweat and accumulate dirt on our faces because of the heat and humidity caused by summer weather. To eliminate this excess oil and dirt from our skin, it’s important to exfoliate twice a week with an exfoliant that’s appropriate for your skin type. Avoid harsh exfoliants that can cause micro-scratches on your skin, and opt for chemical exfoliants that help strip your skin of excess dirt and oil without irritating your skin.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking water is important during the summer to help prevent the dangerous effects of excessive heat, like heat stroke or heat exhaustion. However, water isn’t enough to keep our skin hydrated. Hydrating facial masks, mists, and appropriate moisturizers can battle oily skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Opt for Lighter Makeup
We all want to look good during the summer, even when we’re wearing our face masks in public. However, giving yourself full-face makeup is not the best way to do that. Humidity can make it harder for your skin to breathe, which is why we feel more comfortable wearing lighter clothing in the summer. The same goes for heavy makeup, which impacts our skin’s ability to breathe and leads to breakouts. If you feel like you can’t leave the house with a bare face, consider using a tinted moisturizer and lip tint. Your skin will thank you for it.
Don’t Just Focus on Your Face.
Protecting our skin isn’t only limited to our face. Oftentimes, especially when we apply sunscreen, we miss areas like our ears, lips, neck, and even feet. Protecting these areas will help you achieve the summer glow you want without damaging your skin.
It’s important to remember that our skin is one of the most sensitive parts of our body that needs extra care, especially in the summer. Simple steps like applying sunscreen and following a simple skincare routine can go a long way in protecting you from the negative effects of the sun and heat. And whether you choose to stay home or indulge in some summer fun this year, it’s still important to take extra care of your skin and keep an eye on any changes.