As the temperatures rise and the sunshine bursts through the clouds on a more frequent basis our skin begins to go though some changes. The warmth and humidity that summer brings with it can have a noticeable effect on the way your skin looks and feels. We have already covered sunscreens, vitamin C serums and how to prevent hyperpigmentation in previous articles. Now let’s dive deeper into what a summer does to your skin and how to keep your skin fresh and glowing all summer long.
I like to believe that summer starts with Memorial Day weekend, aka Opening Weekend of Tanning Season, and ends with Labor Day weekend. During these months I change my skincare routine from what I use during all other months. Granted, I live in Houston, Texas where the relative humidity is in the 80% range on average all year long so if you live in a place where all four seasons actually happen, you need to change it up. The first thing that starts to happen as the temperatures rise is that the sebaceous glands start producing more sebum — that is the natural oil on your skin. All of us have different levels of what that looks like depending on our skin type but generally, it is worse in the summer. The best way to kickstart your skin every morning is a good oil control cleanser. Look for a product that contains a little bit of salicylic acid and is free of alcohol. If you just really love your cleanser and don’t want to switch, then look to add a gentle toner to your routine after cleansing. This will get your day started with fresh clean skin minus the oily buildup. A good gentle exfoliation using a scrub for the evenings is always a great way to end your day outdoors too. Be sure to find a scrub that is suited for your skin type and never massage too hard.
Once you have applied your other hydrating serums or Vitamin C, then you absolutely must apply a form of SPF. Please do not be fooled into thinking that makeup is somehow going to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. If you are out on the range and sweating a lot, or out swimming, it is imperative that you reapply the sunscreen every hour. If you start to feel a stinging sensation or you begin to feel the heat of the sun, that means you need to reapply sunscreen. A mistake I often see, and commit myself, is forgetting to protect the lips. The skin on your lips is equally sensitive to the suns rays and can dry out and crack if not cared for. One of my favorite products is Burt’s Bees
Moisturizing Lip Balm ($4.39). They make an all-weather version that has SPF 15 that will ensure no damage is done to your lips. If you are looking for a little bit of color and plumping, Luxe Beauty has a product called Luxe Lips ($39), that contains plumping hyaluronic acid and brings a nice fleshy tone to the surface while protecting your lips with SPF.
While we are on the topic of lips, when you experience dry or cracked lips it is a clear indication of dehydration. Hydration is the most important part of a healthy body and skin, but I wanted to save it for last because it is the topic people seem to want to hear the least about. In my facial practice, I have clients that complain to me all the time about how much they don’t like drinking water. They struggle to drink enough water during the day and would much rather drink something else. If you are experiencing some symptoms of dehydrated skin and just can’t force yourself to drink more water then look for a facial mist to carry with you. Evian makes a wonderful product called Evian Facial Spray ($8), that comes in a perfect pocket size.
Remember ladies, skin care is self care. If you want beautiful skin then all you have to do is take care of it and it will take care of you. You don’t need the most expensive products or to spend an hour a day on this. Just find what works for you and stick with it. Your body and skin crave routine so the more consistent you are, the better your skin will feel and look.
BY NATALIA GONZALEZ
