Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It’s what protects your whole body from harmful pathogens so it’s important that you do everything you can to keep your skin in tip-top shape.
The best routine to keep your skin healthy looks different depending on whether it’s winter or summer.
Your skincare routine during the winter months focuses on keeping your skin nourished and bright, despite the not-so-bright weather outside. Hydration is key to preventing your skin from becoming dry, flaky, and pale.
However, when the weather starts to heat up, the focus shifts towards preventing excess oils while also maintaining a hydrated complex. As spring rolls around, it’s the perfect time to reevaluate your summer skin care routine and switch things up.
It’s important to protect your skin against the potential negative effects of heat and humidity in the summer months. Failing to look after your skin can lead to sunspots and long-term damage.
Here are five top tips to care for your skin as the weather gets warmer.
Wear the Right Glasses
Most people remember to wear sunscreen when they go out on a hot, bright day. But many people neglect the skin around their eyes.
Understandably, glasses are probably not the first thing that comes into your mind when you’re thinking about skincare. However, protecting your eyes from the harmful UV rays emitted by the sun is just as important as protecting the skin elsewhere on your body.
Wearing glasses with high index lenses will maximize your eye health while you are out and about over the summer period. They can prevent the sun’s glare from causing any damage to your pupils and the delicate skin that surrounds your eyes.
Use a Lighter Moisturizer
Thicker moisturizers are best for winter when the weather can easily dry out your skin. During summer when the temperature warms up and it becomes more humid, you should switch to a lighter option.
Continuing to use a thick moisturizer can clog up your pores and leave your face feeling heavy. When you choose a light, oil-free moisturizer, you can maintain a hydrated complexion without oversaturating your skin. An oil-free cream will protect you from outbreaks and redness.
Moisturizing should be a part of your daily skincare routine. Try to find a cream that contains a proprietary blend of beneficial nutrients and plant compounds, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, green tea extract, and clove.
You should also search for a light moisturizer that contains other helpful products that will keep your skin hydrated and nourished, such as hyaluronic acid and Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs).
If you care about environment, these natural face moisturizer products may be a good idea for you.
Don’t Forget to Exfoliate
If you already use an exfoliator during the winter, you should continue to use this throughout summer. Exfoliator is necessary to remove the dead cells from the surface of your skin, keeping you looking fresh and healthy.
You can get three different types of exfoliators.
Physical exfoliators, such as face scrubs, contain tiny beads that remove dead cells when rubbed on your skin.
Chemical exfoliants contain chemicals that naturally break down any dead cells on your skin.
Mechanical exfoliators use a machine or handheld device to exfoliate the skin. Examples include microdermabrasion or laser treatments.
Shorten the Time You Spend in the Bath or Shower
Prolonged heat exposure can cause your skin to become dehydrated. Staying in a hot, steamy bathtub or shower cubicle for longer periods of time every day can worsen this problem by pulling even more moisture out of the skin.
Keep your bathing time short and sweet to prevent your skin from drying out and becoming pale and dehydrated. Apply moisturizer to your skin shortly after you have finished bathing to keep your skin soft and supple.
Protect Your Skin with SPF
Sun protection factor (SPF) is found in sunscreens, body lotions, face creams, and lip balms. It contains active ingredients that can help to block the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays from penetrating through the skin.
Find SPF products that contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are two of the best ingredients for protecting the skin. Make sure your products have an SPF of at least 30 when you go outside on a sunny day.
Most sun lotions and face creams wear away after a few hours as they get absorbed into the skin. Take your SPF creams out with you so that you can top it up every few hours and maintain a protective layer on your skin.