Summerize for summer!

Are you looking forward to Spring and Summer as much as we are? We bet you are, and we also bet your skin isn’t. The high heat and lengthier sun exposure can wreak havoc on your body’s largest organ, but it doesn’t have to. Here are some tips to “Summerize” your skin care regimen!

1. Be SPF Sharp. Don’t just rely on your foundation or bronzer with SPF to protect you from the sun. While it is a great added bonus, it isn’t sufficient enough to shield you from the suns rays. Don’t leave the confines of shelter without at least an SPF of 30 or more on, and remember that sunscreen dissolves more quickly in hot temperatures with sweating, and of course fun in the water. Reapply every 2-3 hours. And if you dug out SPF from the back of the bathroom cabinet that you think you bought 10 years ago for vacation, DO. NOT. USE. Not only do expired sunscreens lose their efficacy, they can harbor fungus and bacteria. It’s best to toss your sunscreen after a year, and go ahead and splurge on a new one!

2. Protect and Defend. Aside from using SPF, you can safeguard your skin with antioxidants. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, and green tea extracts protect your skin from damaging (also known as WRINKLE-CAUSING) free radicals that are produced when your skin is exposed to pollution, sunlight, smoke, and/or the very air we breathe. When you pair those antioxidants with a broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning, you also boost your skin’s ability to fight sun damage and help reduce collagen breakdown (losing your ‘umph!’) whenever your skin is exposed to the sun.

3. The Toil of Oil. It’s typical for skin to be a little more oily in the summer due to sweating along with high temperatures. This can lead to clogged pores and that extra shine and glimmer that no one likes. While you may feel like you need to cleanse more because of this, resist the urge! Over-cleansing will strip the skin of the oils it does need which results in the opposite effect of what you would want; your skin will start to produce MORE oil. Instead, continue to use a light moisturizer, and use blotting papers as needed to remove any excess. If your skin is VERY oily, using a cleanser or toner that contains salicylic acid will help minimize oil production.

4. Beach-bound vacay. If you’re heading to the beach, your skin is more at risk for sunburns and sun damage, so discontinue the use of exfoliants (such as Glycolic acid) at least a week before your visit. Regular exfoliating increases sun sensitivity by about 50%.

5. After all of these tips, I still got sunburned. Tsk! Tsk! But now what? The best remedy is using cold aloe vera gel (stick it in the freezer for a few minutes) or cold plain yogurt (which works as an anti-inflammatory and heat remover). Apply, let dry for 15 minutes and then rinse. Repeat every hour if needed. Avoid using too much lotion (even if they’re aloe-vera based) to soothe a sunburn. Layering lotion on sunburned skin traps heat, keeping the skin red longer. Also, be sure to wear loose-fitting cotton clothes as synthetic fabrics can irritate your burn.

Happy Summerizing!