With summer comes hotter weather and sweatier skin. How you care for your skin this season will affect how your complexion looks.
Breakout-prone skin may benefit from swapping creamier cleansers for a gel or foam option that won’t clog pores. Also, hydrating serums that contain humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid are best for the summer.
1. Exfoliate Regularly
Aside from preventing clogged pores, exfoliating on a regular basis can help minimize ingrown hairs and skin irritation caused by waxing or shaving, improve the absorption of your facial serums and face masks and boost cell turnover to promote healthy skin. In addition, it helps your sunscreen work more effectively by allowing it to penetrate deeper into the skin.
There are several ways to exfoliate, including physically scrubbing off dead skin cells with natural ingredients like salt or sugar, or chemically dissolving the top layer(s) of the face and body using gentle acids. The key is not to over-exfoliate, which can be tough on the skin.
If you choose to exfoliate every day, be sure to use a product that is specially formulated for daily use to avoid over-exfoliation. Try a cleanser that contains vitamin C, which also works to prevent hyperpigmentation and a brightening facial mist with lemon juice and coffee (both of which contain caffeine). It’s important to remember that even though you may sweat more in the summer, your skin still needs to be moisturized.
2. Moisturize
Even though summer heat can dehydrate your skin, it’s important to use a moisturizer. Moisturizers help hydrate the surface layers of the skin, locking in moisture and keeping it smooth. They also maximize the benefits of other products like serums and ampoules used before them.
Moisturizers are oil-based ingredients that come in the form of lotions, cream emulsions, ointments and balms. They contain occlusive ingredients such as petrolatum and mineral oils, and emollients such as esters and shea butter.
The soaring temperatures of the summer can lead to increased sebum production, especially in people with oily skin. If you have oily skin, you may be tempted to skip moisturizing your face and body, but this can cause the skin to become dehydrated. This can lead to premature signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, it can cause a flaky and chalky appearance of the skin. Moisturizing is therefore vital to keep your skin healthy and glowing.
3. Wear Sunscreen
As summer begins and the days get warmer, your skin starts to sweat more frequently and your pores open up. This is a good thing as it helps to remove any toxins that may have built up. However, this also means that you should use products that are non-comedogenic (this simply means that they don’t contain any ingredients that can clog your pores).
Make sure to wear sunscreen at all times during the day. It is recommended that you choose a sun protection cream that contains a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher. It is also recommended that you wear a hat and sunglasses to help protect your face and eyes from harmful UV rays.
Other key skincare tips for the summer include avoiding tanning beds and self-tanners, using products that gently exfoliate your skin such as alpha/beta hydroxy acids or Vitamin C serums, and drinking plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated. Following these simple steps can go a long way in helping to prevent any unwanted summer skin issues.
4. Stay Hydrated
The summer heat and humidity can increase skin’s sensitivity, which may cause dryness or irritated skin. If these symptoms occur, patients should immediately apply a non-greasy moisturizer and use products that contain ingredients like ceramides and niacinamide to help strengthen the skin barrier, reduce transepidermal water loss and slow down the natural aging process.
Hydration is especially important in the summertime because sweating causes a decrease in water content, leading to dehydration. It’s important for patients to drink adequate amounts of water and limit sugary and caffeinated drinks, as they can actually dehydrate the body more than they hydrate it.
Eating a diet rich in water- and antioxidant-rich foods can also help improve skin health. Incorporating foods like beets, spinach and mushrooms can not only improve your skin’s texture, but can also prevent bloating and inflammation. Additionally, consuming healthy fats, such as those found in avocados, can make the skin feel more supple and soft.