While everyone is eager to get out in the sun during the warm summer weather, it’s also the most dangerous time to do so! Going into summer without an appropriate skincare plan can lead to skin damage and premature aging. If you want to enjoy everything that summer has to offer without risking your skin health, keep reading. Aesthetician Lori has 5 summer skincare tips that will help you navigate the season safely.
1. SUNBLOCK! SUNBLOCK! SUNBLOCK!
Sunblock is an absolute must year-round, but is even more essential in the summer season. My #1 summer skincare tip is to create the habit of wearing sunblock every day. Try building sunblock into your morning skincare routine. When sunblock is applied daily, you reduce your exposure to the sun and protect your skin against UVA (associated with aging) and UVB (associated with sunburn) damage. You should be wearing a minimum of 30 SPF daily. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that the SPF (sun protection factor) in your makeup is sufficient unless it contains 30 SPF or greater. Most Dermatologists agree that anything above a 50 SPF is not necessary however, if 100 SPF makes you feel more secure, DO IT!
Now, let’s talk about reapplication… If you work in an office all day, reapplication is not necessary. If you work or are playing outside YOU MUST REAPPLY SUNBLOCK EVERY 80-90 MINUTES. Be proactive and protect your skin from skin cancer, unsightly sunspots and accelerated aging. You are worth it!
2. Get Plenty of Sleep!
“Beauty Rest” is not just a saying, it’s real! A lack of sleep can affect the much-needed repair process your body goes through each night you lay your head on your pillow. Sleep deprivation can affect the integrity of the collagen in your skin, as cortisol levels that trigger inflammation will cause these proteins to breakdown. Loss of sleep also makes your blood vessel dilate, leading to those horrible dark circles we all try to avoid. Needless to say, sleep is an important component to healthy skin.
3. Hydration is Key
Staying hydrated both internally and externally is very important during the summer season. Because our bodies perspire so much during the summer, we need to replace that water. A good habit is to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water. On the outside, using a medical grade hyaluronic acid along with other medical grade hydrators is good practice. When your skin is well hydrated, it looks more youthful and radiant.
4. Adjust Your Skincare Routine
I don’t know about you, but my skin seems to change with the seasons. I am more dry in the winter and more oily in the summer. If you experience this too, change up your skincare routine. For summer, you might consider adding in a pore refiner or an oil control toner to help control oil. If you are not already using Vitamin C, summer is a great time to introduce it into your skincare routine. Antioxidants in general have been shown to enhance the efficacy of your SPF, and antioxidants help fight the free radicals that speed up our aging process. Plus, Vitamin C has a beautiful brightening effect on the skin.
5. Let’s Not Forget About Those Lips!
I feel like our lips get neglected when it comes to skincare. Lips need to be exfoliated and hydrated too! You should exfoliate your lips at least once a week, and there are so many options for yummy homemade sugar exfoliants. My favorite anti-aging lip therapy for hydrating your lips is PCA Hyaluronic Acid Lip Booster! It’s an AM/PM lip treatment that contains peptides and antioxidants to nourish your luscious lips.
Don’t make the mistake of jumping into the summer season without a game plan for your skincare. Protecting yourself throughout the summer is one of the most crucial ways to prevent skin damage and premature skin aging. If you need help identifying the best skincare products and habits for your skin, contact us today to schedule a consultation with Lori at Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery. If you overlooked some of these skincare tips previously, we also specialize in medical spa treatments that can reverse signs of aging and correct skin damage!
