Summer is just around the corner, and warmer weather means more time spent soaking up the rays. While you may be ready to get the bronzed look you’ve missed all winter long, neglecting your skin during these bright, hot days can be damaging. Are you willing to risk everlasting sun spots, wrinkles, and sunburn for the sake of a seasonal tan?
Cosmetic damage aside, too much exposure to UV rays increases your risk of skin cancer. According to the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, UV light is the major risk factor for most skin cancers.
You don’t have to put your skin at risk in order to get the ideal summer glow. Here are 5 must-follow rules to protect your skin this season.
- Wear Non-Toxic SPF
Even on cloudy days, the sun still emits harmful UV rays. No matter if it’s overcast, raining, or a full sunny day, wearing non-toxic SPF is a must. It’s recommended to use a product that offers at least 30 SPF. The higher the SPF number, the more protected you are. You’ll also want to reapply often, especially after taking a dip in the pool or the ocean!
But, high SPF isn’t the only factor to consider. The ingredients used to protect your skin are even more important. When choosing sunscreen, it’s important to go the all-natural route.
Store-bought products often have harmful ingredients such as oxybenzone and octinoxate. Both of these ingredients deeply penetrate the skin, sometimes so much that they’re found in breast milk! These ingredients also act like estrogen in the body which can potentially alter sperm production and cause other reproductive health issues.
For an all-natural SPF option, look for ingredients like carrot seed oil, red raspberry seed oil, shea butter, and coconut oil.
- Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking water not only keeps your body running like a well-oiled machine, it also impacts how your skin looks and feels. If you want soft and glowing skin, drinking enough water is a must. By staying hydrated, especially on hot days, your body is able to properly flush out toxins. Since you’re more likely to sweat during the summer, your water consumption should increase. As a rule, drink no less than 8 glasses a day — the more the merrier your skin will be.
Before you start to grumble that drinking water is boring, spice it up! Infuse your water with fruit and herbs. You can also up your intake of hydrating foods such as:
- Berries
- Pears
- Grapes
- Melons
- Cucumber
- Radish
- Carrots
- Tomato
- Use a Skincare Serum
Most people know the importance of using cleansers and moisturizers.However, many neglect the importance of skin serums. Serums are lightweight moisturizers that are able to penetrate deeper into the skin. This allows active ingredients to be more effective, creating noticeable results.
The best skincare serum to moisturize your skin during the hot summer days should be made of all natural ingredients that won’t irritate your skin. While you may not pay close attention to what’s used in your skincare products, chances are they contain harmful ingredients such as parabens, fragrance, triclosan, and synthetic colors.
Instead of purchasing a serum that’s available on the shelf, consider a natural option. Natural skincare serums contain safe ingredients like calendula, natural clays, herbs, essential oils, and other ingredients that calm, soothe, and protect your skin.
- Exfoliate & Moisturize
As dead skin cells build up, the skin becomes dull, dry, and rough. This is especially common during the warmer months. By exfoliating, you remove the top layer of skin to expose a more youthful and radiant layer.
When exfoliating, use products that contain all-natural ingredients. If you’re feeling a little daring, make your own exfoliator with items like all-natural oatmeal, sea salt, brown sugar, and olive oil.
Another key skincare rule is to moisturize. By moisturizing, you help your skin to maintain a healthy balance and youthful look. Without moisturizing, your skin may become too dry or too oily which could lead to all sorts of skin issues.
- Get Plenty of Sleep
Enjoy long summer nights, but don’t skimp out on sleep too often! Not getting enough sleep not only impacts your energy levels, it also impacts the health and look of your skin. When you sleep, your body is able to repair and recover from the day’s activities. Getting less than 6 hours of shut-eye a night is likely to increase the appearance of wrinkles and cause puffy skin around the eyes.
With that said, enjoy a nice nap by the pool or on the beach under the cover of a big umbrella. No one will judge you for catching up on beauty sleep!
Conclusion
Make this the summer you don’t neglect your skin! Be sure to follow these 5 rules every day to ensure that you’re protected against sunburn and more serious conditions like skin cancer.
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