Skincare in Hot Summer Months

Published: Jun 23, 2010

The majority of today’s skin problems occur due to sun exposure. Heat exhaustion and heatstroke can often occur when sweat glands fail to function properly. Excessive exposure to the sun can cause sunburn, dry and peeling skin.

By using proper skincare products and ideas, you can enjoy the summer while having youthful looking skin for years to come.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when enjoying a day in the sun:

• Avoid the sun during 10am-4pm because during this time, the sun’s rays are the strongest.
• Keep shades, umbrellas and hats in hand and try to stay in the shade.
• Keep skin hydrated with quality lotions and lots of water.
• Use sunscreen and reapply when necessary according to the SPF. Ensure that it is water resistant when going swimming. Avoid hair damage by using hair spray sunscreen.

The arrival of hot summer months also means acne breakouts and other skin related problems for some people due to increased perspiration. This can disperse oil on the skin causing pimples to grow. Women should adjust their makeup regimen according to summer climate and their outdoor activities. Powder brushes and eyes shadows are more effective instead of crème makeup products which cause less irritation and will last longer in the humidity. Natural looking makeup should be applied for outdoor activities.

Individuals with oily skin should wash their face with gentle cleanser atleast twice a day. Avoid splashing very hot or cold water on your face which can cause veins to appear on your face. Regular steaming can open the pores in your skin. Cleansing products should be natural and chemical free. Harsh ingredients in deodorant soaps can irritate your skin and clog your pores. In humidity, clogged pores always lead to blemishes. Everyone spends more time outdoors in the summer which means debris and pollution can also have an effect on your skin. Astringents and toners with acid work best in these situations.

It is very important to hydrate your skin especially the under eye areas. This is one of the first areas to show signs of aging. An eye gel or serum that contains chamomile or Vitamin E will refresh and nourish the delicate skin beneath your eyes. 90 percent of premature aging of the skin is caused by overexposure to the sun.

Failure to care for your skin not only leads to wrinkles and aging but it also increases the risk of skin cancer. More than one million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. Nearly all individuals with skin cancer have strong history of sun exposure or tanning. The chances of skin cancer are even higher when sun exposure results in burning and blistering. Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater at least 30 minutes before sun exposure.

Keep all the above mentioned things in mind and enjoy the summer.