Summer is the time of sunshine, warm weather, and swimming. However, it’s also the time of sunburn, sweat, and chlorine.
If you’re anything like me, you live for the few months of summer when you can wear tank tops, bask in the sun, and have days by the water. However, as a makeup artist and skincare enthusiast, I know that summer is one of the most brutal times for your skin. But, there are things you can do to save the skin you’re in, while still enjoying the dog days of summer.
1. Use Sunscreen
If you take nothing else from this article, take this: USE. SUNSCREEN. It is estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. That’s a pretty big chance of something that I’m sure none of us want to develop. Thankfully, skincare brands and even sunscreen brands are all over it. An example is Spot My UV detection stickers which tell you when it is time to reapply sunscreen.
It’s hard to find a skincare product that doesn’t already have SPF in it, including primers, moisturizers, lotions, foundations, etc. In my opinion, that’s worth spending a few extra dollars on so that you can “set it and forget it.” However, if you are looking for just a sunscreen instead of a makeup product, Neutrogena created products that are safe for your skin – including a specifically breakout-free sunscreen lotion for us who have acne-prone skin. Trust me – if you can do something so simple to help protect yourself from something so serious, do it.
2. Moisturize
A common misconception of skincare is that if you’re producing oil on your skin (specifically your face), you don’t need moisturizer. Let me squash that lie right now. If you have oily skin, that means your body doesn’t produce enough moisture so it’s working overtime to develop what you don’t have enough of. Using a moisturizer will save your skin – yes, even in sweaty weather. Honestly, especially in sweaty weather.
Moisturizer should be a part of everyone’s skincare routine, no matter their skin type. This is especially true when you’re skin may be taking in some extra sunshine. To keep your skin in check, moisturize at least once a day – right after you wash your face. For my makeup-wearing people, this should be twice a day: once in the morning and once at night after you take your makeup off.
3. Cooling Spray
I live in the south which means brutal heat and humidity. Hello 100° weather, hello sweat… The elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about. But I have news for you: everyone sweats. However, that doesn’t mean you have to really suffer through it. Let’s all thank the skincare gods that they’ve come up with an easy fix.
I’ve always been an advocate for Mario Badescu products. Although some may be a little pricey, I have yet to encounter one that doesn’t do what it says. Their facial refreshing sprays are no different. Like a good skincare brand should do, they’ve produced several different sprays for different skin types and skin concerns:
- Aloe, herbs, and rose water
- Aloe, cucumber, and green tea
- Aloe, chamomile, and lavender
- Aloe, sage, and orange blossom
All with stellar reviews, these sprays may just be the cooling sensation you need in the dead heat and humidity of summer.
4. Check the UV Index
The Ultraviolet Index (UV index) is a measurement created in the 90s used to find the strength of sunburn-producing ultraviolet radiation. Don’t let the word radiation scare you. In simpler (and less scary) terms, it’s the unit of measurement to see how intense the sun’s rays are. The scale is color-coded and number-coded and goes from 1-11+. The lower the number, the lower the exposure.
The lower the number, the “safer” it is to be out in the sun since there’s less sun exposure. Before you go out and tan, check your local UV index to see how long you can safely spend outside, what the recommended SPF is, etc.
5. Hydrate
Let’s be honest, we all should probably be doing this a lot more than we currently do. However, this is especially pertinent in the summertime. Drinking water is said to help clear up your skin – and trust me, it really does. Especially if you use sunscreen you don’t normally use, water is essential to keep your skin in tip-top shape.
Hydration is also essential when it comes to combatting heatstroke or other side effects caused by sun exposure. Of course, other help for heatstroke is cold water exposure (pools, ice baths, cold showers), rest, a colder environment… It may take away from your sun time, but it’s worth it to keep your body’s equilibrium in check.
Summertime can be relaxing, fun, exciting, and anything else you want it to be. In using these five tips, you can help to make sure your skin has the same amount of fun you do.
About The Author
Emmie Pombo is a latte and tattoo-loving Tennessean who specializes in mental health and beauty writing. She holds a degree in Journalism and a certification in Makeup Artistry and Airbrushing. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
