How Women Keep Their Skin Summer-Ready

For most people, warm summer months mean spending more time outdoors. While it should always be a priority to keep your skin healthy, glowing, and protected, this becomes even more crucial during summer. 

The good news is that there are numerous easy and effective steps you can take to ensure your skin stays in great condition while you enjoy fun in the sun. From selecting higher SPF sunscreens and switching to antioxidant-rich skincare products to investing in a high-quality collagen supplement to support your skin barrier and booking your annual skin check with your dermatologist, your skin will thank you this summer season. 

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SPF Minimums

Wearing sunscreen in the summer is not something new. But many people tend to overlook the importance of choosing sunscreens with the right SPF levels to guarantee their skin is properly protected. Health experts and the Skin Cancer Foundation both recommend using at least SPF 30 or higher for outdoor activities, especially during peak temperatures and extended time outdoors. Many people tend to opt for SPF 50 to use on the sensitive skin on their face, ears, and neck for extra skin protection. 

Furthermore, you should always apply sunscreen 5-10 minutes before heading outside to give it time to properly absorb into the skin and create a valuable shield to protect against harsh UV rays. You should also reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours and after being in water, regardless of whether it is water-resistant or not, as some of the cream will have been washed away. 

Check Your Moles

If you tend to spend your summer season at the beach or poolside, taking in as much sun as possible, it is strongly recommended that you visit your dermatologist at least once a year, preferably in fall or winter when your skin is typically a lighter color, or as soon as you notice any unusual skin changes. 

Your doctors will do a comprehensive examination of your moles and marks, documenting their appearance and condition to see if and how they evolve, as well as address any existing skin conditions you may have. 

Moisturize

Using a good quality moisturizer that is suitable for your skin type and needs is essential for maintaining healthy and resilient skin. It acts as a protective barrier to trap water, ensuring the skin barrier remains strong and preventing unwanted moisture loss. 

During the summer season, increased sun exposure combined with beach sand and salty water can cause the skin to become more dehydrated than normal. To compensate for these effects and bring balance back to your skin, switch to a stronger, thicker moisturizer to apply to your body and face after showering. 

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Revitalize & Repair

Revitalizing masks are a fantastic tool to use during summer to restore crucial skin balance, enhance your skin’s elasticity, and provide extra moisture your skin may need. Because your skin barrier can weaken with excessive sun exposure, it is vital to choose masks with ingredients that help keep your skin balanced and provide important protection against external stressors like pollution and bacteria. 

Additionally, once the summer season ends and fall begins, it's not uncommon for your skin to look and feel drier and more uneven than usual. Give yourself the ultimate pamper day and book in for a facial or two to enjoy a soft peel or moisturizing treatment to renew your complexion and fade any dark marks that might have popped up. 

Use Antioxidants

UV radiation is a common source of free radicals, which are unstable molecules that damage skin cells and collagen, leading to premature ageing. One of the most effective ways to protect your skin from their damaging effects is to add antioxidants to both your diet and skincare routine. Vitamin E and vitamin C are two of the most common sources of antioxidants.

Including foods like plant oils, nuts, citrus fruits, and red bell peppers will inject your diet with natural sources, while skincare products like serums and moisturizers can be applied directly to the skin for a more targeted approach. Oxidative stress is considered to be one of the biggest contributors to premature skin aging, and using antioxidants can significantly slow down its impact. 

Cool Showers

There are very few things more satisfying than a piping hot shower. But despite the satisfaction it may bring, hot showers can cause your skin to become drier, quicker. This issue is exacerbated by the fact that many people tend to shower more often during summer to combat high temperatures and clean off after swimming or outdoor activities. 

Instead, turning the water temperature down and using warm or cool water will not only prevent your skin from drying out, but cool water is fantastic for improved blood flow and skin microcirculation. 

Avoid Wet Clothing

Remaining in wet or sweaty clothing for extended periods creates the optimal breeding ground for unwanted bacteria, which can lead to skin rashes and potentially the development of the skin condition known as folliculitis, which describes skin follicles that become infected and inflamed. 

The easiest way to prevent these issues from developing is to immediately change out of sweaty or wet clothing after swimming or physical activity and properly wash and dry your clothes. 

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Shady Relief

Research shows us that natural sunlight carries some important health benefits. But spending long periods of time in direct sunshine is not healthy, and can lead to dangerous short-term issues, like dehydration and sunstroke, and serious long-term conditions like skin cancer. 

If you plan to spend a day at the beach or outside enjoying your garden, ensure you bring an umbrella or have access to shady areas to shelter from the sun, particularly during peak afternoon hours. Not only will you mitigate the risk of sunburn, but you will also reduce sun-induced wrinkles and the potential development of melasma.

By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Unsplash