We all love the way our skin shimmers in the summer sun. That sun-kissed skin looks so much better and gives us more confidence in the way we look, but many of us don't realise how much damage we can do to our skin if we don't look after it in the summertime.
In this post, we will look at some of the best ways to look after your skin this summertime.
1) Exfoliate your skin
You should be exfoliating your skin all year round, but in the summer it's even more important. When it's hot we tend to use sun cream to stop from burning, which is a good thing, but this cream can sometimes cause our skin to be greasy and block our pores.
Blocked pores can result in a breakout of pimples. To keep your skin clean make sure to exfoliate at least once a day and to wash your face with cold water 3-4 times a day. The cold water washes will get rid of any grease or dirt to minimise the risk of pore blockages.
2) Use sunscreen
Sunscreen is important as UV can damage our skin without us even knowing. When using a sunscreen make sure to use the correct one for your skin and for the activities you are going to take part in that day.
Dr Shah who offers botox in Birmingham and London suggests that the use of sunscreen in the summer months can drastically minimise sun-related skin damage such as sunspots, wrinkles and dry skin.
When applying sunscreen make sure to apply it at least 30 minutes before going into the sun and get a waterproof sunscreen if you plan to do any swimming that day.
You should also reapply sunscreen often and you should check on the bottle for the recommended time. When using sunscreen you should choose a brand that has at least a 4 star UVA protection rating and an SPF rating of 30.
3) Take additional measures
We all want to tan but we should look to do it in a way that is safe for our bodies. To protect our skin, even more, we should look to take additional measures such as:
- Stay out of the sun at its hottest periods. Generally, between 11 am and 2 pm.
- Wear additional clothing such as hats and sunglasses.
- Set up a shaded area with an umbrella or tent that you can go under if the sun becomes too hot.
4) Face masks for oily skin
For many of us, we will have oily faces this summertime, and an oily face can make many problems appear. To get around an oily face you should invest in a good face mask that can mattify your face. A face mask can help draw out all of the sweat, oil and dirt in your skin and leave it drier than before. Just be careful not to overdo it as you equally don't want a dry face that can crack.
I usually use a mattifying face mask 3 times a week for around 20 minutes and this works well for my skin, your skin will be different though so just use one and test it.
5) Skip the bad diets.
A bad diet can give you skin problems all year round, but in the summer a bad diet can be even worse as our body needs good nutrients to function.
Many people go on crash diets in the summertime as they feel the pressure of looking good in a bikini or swimsuit. I highly recommend avoiding crash diets as they are not sustainable and can also ruin your skin. If you want to look well and not consume as many calories to slim down a little bit I would recommend incorporating high protein vegetables into your diet as they keep you fuller for longer and can provide you with a lot of nutrients to protect your skin and body this summer.
6) Use a moisturiser
You need to use a moisturiser during the summertime. Extreme heat in the summer (or even moderate heat depending on your body) can dehydrate your body and cause your skin to dry out.
A moisturiser creates a barrier on your skin that keeps in your essential oils. When choosing a moisturiser you should look for one that fits your skin type. A moisturiser can cause your skin to become greasier, and if your skin is generally greasy you should look to purchase a gel-based moisturiser.
7) Keep hydrated.
This goes without saying, but some people tend to enjoy themselves so much during the summer that they forget the essentials of keeping hydrated.
Ideally, you should aim for at least 10 glasses of water a day as you will need to drink more than usual as you will sweat much more and lose water quickly.
