With summer approaching, it’s time to bring in a little shift to our lifestyle. It’s time to shed those thick layers and soak in some sun and enjoy it in all its glory. But it’s also time for some skincare updates!
Summer is the season when oily skin becomes even oilier and dry skin becomes patchy. Sunburns, rashes, breakouts and inflammation become even more prevalent. The skin needs extra protection from the scorching sun and the sudden shifts between outdoor heat and indoor air-conditioned environment. Here are some simple tips to keep your skin glowing even through all the challenges of summer!
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Cleanse your skin regularly and maintain skin hygiene
Heat and humidity encourage the skin to produce more oil making it grimy and greasy. Oil loves to stick to dirt and dead skin cells to clog the pores. We all know the woes of oily skin and its association with acne! Clogged pores manifest into blackheads, whiteheads and painful pimples.
It’s important to cleanse your skin at least twice a day to wash off the excess oil and impurities. If you have oily skin, opt for a foaming cleanser while for dry and combination skin, a non-foaming cleanser should work. If your skin tends to develop blackheads, a charcoal soap might be the ideal cleanser for you.
While cleansing is crucial, there’s nothing worse than overdoing it! Go for a mild, alcohol-free, skin-friendly cleanser that is refreshing without drying up the skin.
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Use an effective toner
Toning is an important step in any skincare regimen. It helps reduce pore size to give the skin a smooth and even texture. Smaller pores means less chances of them becoming clogged with oil and grime. This in turn reduces breakouts and acne.
A toner also helps calm the skin and reduce inflammation. Summer skin is prone to UV damage and that triggers the skin easily. Use a toner with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties to add a layer of protection to your skin care routine. A rose water or aloe-based toner is ideal for all skin types, especially in summer.
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Shed the heavy winter creams, switch to light moisturizers
Dry winters demand heavy, greasy moisturizing creams and balms to keep the skin hydrated but summers don’t. In fact, if you’re just mindlessly following your winter skincare routine into summer, don’t be surprised if your skin feels oily and greasy all the time!
But let’s be clear here, that doesn’t mean no moisturizing! Your skin’s natural moisture still needs to be kept locked in but with a lighter, non-greasy lotion instead.
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Summer sun means sunscreen
Summer means you cannot avoid the sun and why should you! Sunlight is crucial for the body to produce the mood-enhancing hormone called serotonin. This is why sunshine is often associated with happiness and joy!
But there’s also the evil element of UV radiation that causes skin damage – hyperpigmentation, sunburn, inflammation, acne and whatnot. This is why sun protection for the skin is crucial. Use a sunscreen or sunblock with a high sun protection factor (SPF) of minimum 30 every time you step out in the sun.
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Wear protective clothing and breathable fabrics
Double up your sunscreen with sun-protective clothing and accessories. While it might be tempting to pull out those sleeveless tops and shorts, it might actually be more useful to go with full-sleeves and long pants when out in the sun. Wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses to protect the face and eyes.
It’s also worth considering wearing light, breathable fabrics like cotton. Cotton absorbs sweat and allows the skin to cool down and feel comfortable. On the other hand, avoid synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester. They make the skin itchy and accumulate sweat that can cause infections.
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Use light makeup with non-comedogenic products
Heavy layers of makeup don’t allow the skin to breathe. Makeup tends to clog up the pores to not only make the skin feel uncomfortable but also increase the risk of inflammation and breakouts.
Shed some of the layers of your makeup and strip it down to the basics. Use a tinted moisturizer or a makeup powder instead of a heavy foundation. Look for products that don’t clog the pores (non-comedogenic) for your pore-care to reduce risk of acne.
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Protect your eyes and lips
Ever wondered why wrinkles and fine lines occur in the areas around the eyes and the lips first? Most of us tend to forget how thin and delicate the skin in those areas is. This is why the first damages of continued UV radiation exposure show up near the lips and eyes.
Your summer skincare needs to address this issue. Invest in a good eye cream with antioxidants and vitamin E and add it to your night skincare regimen. Use a moisturizing lip-balm with SPF before your lipstick. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and try to keep your face covered with a scarf whenever you step out in the harsh sun.
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Exfoliate to renew your skin
Exfoliating not only helps get rid of dead skin cells but also stimulates the skin to rejuvenate itself. Exfoliate your skin at least twice a week to scrub out the oil and grime from the pores and provide a deep pore-cleanse. Use a mild exfoliator that suits your skin and don’t overdo it lest you may leave your skin wounded.
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Eat hydrating foods
While the summer heat may tempt you towards the sugary sodas and tetra-packed juices, you should know better! They actually have no hydrating qualities and instead of providing nourishment, only add empty calories to your diet.
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables instead. Hydrating fruits like bananas, kiwis, watermelons, oranges and pineapples are not just nourishing but are also great for the skin! Eat salads with lettuce, cucumbers, spinach, tomatoes, broccoli, etc. which are not only rich in water but also in essential vitamins and minerals.
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Use natural remedies to heal the skin
There’s nothing as satisfying as spending a lazy summer afternoon with a natural DIY face mask made right out of your pantry. And luckily, it will do your skin some good too!
Keep in mind that your kitchen and pantry hold a number of ingredients that are great remedies for summer skin troubles. From yoghurt to oatmeal, green tea to coffee grounds and tasty fruits like papaya to your favorite vegetables like potato, there are tons of home remedies to keep your skin glowing through the season!
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