With long sunny days and warmer weather, there are more opportunities than ever to switch up your routine and enjoy what the season has to offer.
Experts say excessive heat can cause sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can escalate rapidly, leading to delirium, organ damage, and even death.
Follow these simple steps to keep your skin looking at its best and protect yourself from scorching heat of summer.
Keep hydrated
When you're dehydrated, your body doesn't have enough fluid and electrolytes to work properly. Electrolytes are minerals in your body like sodium, calcium and potassium. They're found in the foods you eat and the fluids you drink.
During summer, your body has to pump a higher blood volume to your skin that causes sweating. Sweating is essential to keep your body cool during summers. Still, when you’re overheated, you need to hydrate yourself to maintain balance.
Avoid beverages that contain alcohol, caffeine, or lots of sugar, which are dehydrating. Also opt for hydrating foods, try a smoothie for lunch, and add more fruits and vegetables to all your meals. Watermelon and cucumber have the greatest water content of any food out there.
Wear sunscreen whenever you’re outdoors
A good sunscreen, preferably with SPF 50, is ideal for protecting yourself from harmful sun rays. If your body is exposed, apply all over your body and not just your face.
Wearing good sunscreen will help you prevent skin cancer and aging and wrinkles due to excessive exposure to the sun.
Supplement your SPF
Sunscreen alone doesn’t fully protect your skin from sun damage. In addition to wearing traditional topical SPF, an antioxidant supplement that helps the body repair the damage done by UV rays.
Add soothing ingredients to your skincare
A good way to care for your skin during summers is by adding soothing ingredients like tomatoes or cucumber to your skincare regime.
Tomatoes are a great source of antioxidants. You can mix tomato and lemon juice to apply it all over your face and skin, and leave it for a few minutes. It will cool your skin and keep it hydrated.
Shield your eyes
One of the most vulnerable areas you’re exposing during summer activities is the skin around your eyes. Eyelid skin is the thinnest skin on the body, unfortunately, and skin cancers can often occur around the eyes. Wear wraparound sunglasses to protect your eyes. In addition to the sun protection, it also improves dark circles and decreases fine lines.
Prevent ‘bacne’ breakouts
If you’re prone to developing acne on your back, sweat brought on by summer heat might aggravate the condition. Always shower after working out to wash away sweat and the bacteria in sweat which can cause back acne. Treat the area with a body wash that includes benzoyl peroxide to help kill bacteria. In addition, avoid tight-fitting clothing and wear your hair up so you’re not trapping dirt and oil on your back.
Lose old layers
Twice a week, scrub skin with a brush, an exfoliating scrub, or a salicylic acid wash to brighten it and allow lotions and serums to absorb more deeply. If your skin becomes irritated, exfoliate just once a week.
Cleanse without cream
As the weather warms, switch from a cream cleanser to a gel variety that’s lightweight but soothing. If you have oily skin, try a foam cleanser. Be sure to wash your face every night in the summer. More time outside means more exposure to harmful air pollutants, which can attach to moisturizer and makeup and exacerbate signs of aging.
Eat light meals
Eating smaller portions of food will help maintain the right energy balance and promote skin health on hot summer days. Eat foods high in antioxidants (such as colourful fruits and vegetables, iced green tea, and nuts) and probiotics, like yogurt with live active cultures and kombucha, a fermented tea may offer an extra layer of sun protection from within. Take plenty of fruits, seasonal produce, and fresh citrus juice to add vitamin C intake to your body.
