You can stop fantasizing about sunbathing on the beach or reading by the pool because summer is finally here. Family beach days, summer gatherings by the lake, or potlucks in the park are some of the best summertime activities. There’s a “but” coming. You don’t have to avoid summertime vibes, but it is wise to take care of your skin while the sun is shining. When you take precautionary measures to protect your skin, you reduce the risk of skin damage, premature aging, and skin cancer.
The sun feels so good after a cold winter and chilly spring. People are ready to soak up some much needed vitamin D, which is an essential nutrient in the body. It aids with immune function, supports lung function and cardiovascular health, supports brain health, and encourages healthy teeth and bones. Of course, you can always have too much of a good thing.
Too much time in the sun can lead to excessive ultraviolet (UV) exposure. Ultraviolet radiation can affect the skin’s DNA, which increases the risk of skin cancer. UVA rays can cause damage to collagen and skin cells under the skin’s outer layer. UVB rays affect the outermost layer, causing the skin to burn, tan, or appear wrinkly, spotty, or weathered. When you are in the sun for an entire day, for example, the skin experiences photoaging, which leads to dark spots and reduced skin elasticity. This accelerates the natural aging process.
You have the ability to protect your skin this summer with a few simple tips. Keep reading to learn how to keep your skin healthy while enjoying the summer sun.
Cut Down Shower Time
Between beach days, workouts, and sweating in the summer heat, it’s common to shower more than once a day. If you shower that often, make sure to keep showers under five minutes. Too much time in the shower, or showering in very hot water, can dry out the skin. Not only does this increase inflammation on the skin, but it may cause summertime eczema.
Avoid Peak Sun Hours
You can easily track the UV index on numerous weather apps. If the UV index is 6 or higher, the sun is the strongest and your chance of burning is much higher. Ideally, you should minimize the time you spend in direct sunlight during peak sun hours to protect the skin. Additionally, be mindful of reflective surfaces like water or sand, which can cause eye strain and sunburn.
Cover Up
Not everyone wants to constantly apply and reapply sunscreen throughout the day. Not to mention, getting in the water and sweating can easily decrease the efficacy of the sunscreen. Additionally, applying that much sunscreen isn’t healthy for the skin. While there are reef-safe, skin-safe sunscreens that exist, they aren’t the ones that people typically buy. You can apply sunscreen, but you can also cover up with clothes or accessories that protect the skin. Remember to choose loose, lightweight clothing and large-brimmed hats to keep the skin safe. This type of clothing is like insurance for your skin!
Stay Hydrated
It’s very easy for the body to dehydrate when you spend an entire day in the sun. The intense heat also increases the risk of heat stroke. While you should always stay on top of your hydration game, it’s extra important to do so during summer. When you continuously hydrate the body, you enhance the health of your skin. You can further increase your hydration efforts by adding sliced lemon, cucumber, watermelon, or mint to your water. These deliver additional nutrients to the body that enhance hydration and promote collagen production.
Don’t Neglect Your Scalp
When you apply sunscreen, it’s easy to address the areas of skin that burn first. The face, neck, shoulders, chest, back, arms, and legs get all of the attention. Unfortunately, many people neglect the scalp, which can easily burn, especially if hair isn’t lusciously thick. We don’t recommend suffocating your scalp with sunscreen goop; rather, consider a sunscreen powder for the scalp. Not only can this protect the scalp from the sun, but it also acts as a dry shampoo to prevent it from becoming greasy.
Cleanse, Exfoliate, And Moisturize
Many people lather sunscreen all over their bodies during the summer. They sweat, go in the pool, lay in the sand, and expose their bodies to other environmental pollutants. All of these things tend to clog the surface of the skin, which causes debris to accumulate. Regular cleansing and exfoliation can help to clean the pores. Follow that routine with natural moisturizers to naturally soothe the skin and reduce the risk of inflammation. We have many natural moisturizers, cleansers, and exfoliation recipes on our website. Feel free to search those key words to find the recipes.
