Ways To Boost Skin Care In The Summertime

Skin is a beautiful feature to be displayed when the weather turns warm. It’s also one of our biggest instruments of protection and the body’s most prominent organ. And when you put a spin on skin’s POV like that, the need to take care of it becomes more than essential. Especially during the summertime. Especially in places like Florida where the heat and UV rays reign most of the year. 

Even though the sun and shine feels sensational, the sun’s UV rays can cause a lot of damage to exposed skin over time. The American Academy of Dermatology studies have shown that one in five Americans will develop some form of skin cancer during their lifetime. 

Not only skin cancer, but prolonged ultraviolet exposure may also affect your eyes and lead to cataracts. The National Eye Institute reports that more than 20 million Americans over the age of 40 deal with cataracts and premature aging of the skin. Sunlight is one of the biggest culprits of skin dryness, wrinkles, and age spots. 

So how do you combat dealing with harsh summer conditions? Avoid UV rays. This means wearing sunscreen daily including on cloudy days. Sun rays can still be harmful through mist, fog, and clouds during all seasons. However, the bulk of sun damage happens in the summer months. 

Summer and Your Skin

As weather temperatures increase and humidity rises, your skin starts to produce more sebum, or natural oil, in your sebaceous glands. The excess oil sometimes finds itself stuck on the surface of the skin which can lead to greasy blocked pores. 

This, as you know, may encourage more acne breakouts during the summer. This doesn’t help people with naturally oily skin! Leaving them more prone to bacteria and oils in the skin that mix with the sweat and ends up as clogged pores.

In other ways, when your skin is overly exposed to UV rays, you start to produce an increased amount of melanin in the skin. This is a way your skin protects itself from sun damage. Creating photoprotective qualities. Other side effects of prolonged sun exposure is sunburn, rash and itchy skin if you’re overly sensitive to it.

Basic Ways To Take Care Of Your Skin In The Summer

Maintain A Skin Care Routine

Follow a good skin care routine for your skin and skin type, regularly. For dry skin, a gel-based product, for oily skin,  water based products are normally the best options. Cream based products tend to be heavier and slightly greasy. Make sure to incorporate cleansing, moisturizing, and toning twice a day to keep skin fresh and clear.

Wash Off Excess Oil

Because our skin naturally gets oily, finding a face wash that is suitable for your skin type can help deep cleanse and remove dirt from the pores. Look for mild and alcohol free cleansers to avoid overly drying the skin.

Exfoliation

Gentle face scrubs can help remove excess dirt and dead skin from the surface. Again, only scrub products that are suitable for your skin type. Massage the scrub gently into the skin, in a circular motion making sure to include the neck and the lips too. 

Exfoliation helps by dead skin, dulling skin and debris. This prevents clogged pores and improves overall hydration and applications of toners and moisturizers. The best times to exfoliate are in the mornings before toner, moisturizer, SPF and make up application.

After exfoliation always follow up with a hydrating body cream to keep moisture in and seal it with SPF.

Find A Good Toner

Good toners can help keep open pores closed. Using a cucumber based or Aloe Vera toner can help prevent sweat and oil from clogging the pores.

SPF Daily

In the summertime we can become unnoticeable victims to the UV-A and UV-B rays. These can be harsh and be the cause of fine lines, premature aging, age spots and wrinkles. A good sunscreen is so important for all skin types even for those who don’t go outside as much. Look for sunscreens with an SPF of 30-50.

When in doubt, apply and reapply. Studies have shown that people don’t apply or reapply nearly as much as they should throughout the day. 

Sun tip: avoid the sun midday to afternoon.

For example: SPF 30+ allows 3.3% of the UVB rays and blocks nearly 97%. SPF 50+ allows only 2% of UVB rays to reach your skin and blocks about 98%.

Newer sunscreens now not only protect you from UVB radiation but also UVA. UVA rays don’t necessarily cause sunburns, however, they do contribute to aging skin and skin cancer. You can find sunscreens that protect against both. 

Studies show that applying sunscreen 15-30 minutes before exposure and a second layer 15-30 minutes after exposure is the best way to protect yourself from sunburn and risks. 

Protect Everything

Don’t forget your lips, eyes, and feet! Wear sunglasses to avoid harmful UVs and apply moisturizing under eye gel to help protect the skin. Make sure when choosing a lip balm that it also has a SPF to protect your lips as you do your face. If you find you always wear open toes sandals, make sure to scrub and exfoliate your feet and apply sunscreen and moisturizer too!

Hydration

Much like we should stay hydrated by drinking adequate amounts of water, that reigns true for our skin also. Using products like a hydrating face mask after you wash your face can add some much needed extra hydration, especially while you sleep. Another option is carrying a facial mist to continue to keep your skin fresh throughout the day.

Hydrate and Moisturize

Look for moisturizers that are light and non-greasy and specifically formulated for your skin type. Make sure to buy moisturizers that list important ingredients like vitamins A and C and antioxidants. Apply daily, especially after a shower.

You can also use intensive hydration masques one to two times a week. Also refresh your face with a revitalizing toner spritz wherever you’re at throughout the day.

Hydrate and Hydrate Some More

Water intake during the summer should always be a minimum of 2-3 liters a day. Dehydration can lead to headaches and dizziness. Drinking water helps flush the toxins from the body. Hydration doesn’t always have to mean water either, it could be coconut water, fresh juices and fruits like watermelon.

Make sure to also include certain vegetables like cucumbers in your food. Citrus fruits also help to keep the body cool from the inside and keep them healthy.

8 ounces of plain filtered water everyday helps maintain moisture inside and outside of the body. 

Let Your Skin Breathe

Products like heavy makeups prevent the skin from being able to breathe. In addition to elements like humidity that also hinder the skin from breathing, this in combination is a recipe for clogged pores and breakouts. 

Look for tinted moisturizers instead of heavy foundations, especially during the summer.

Lightweight/Breathable Fabrics

Wear light and loose clothing to avoid sweating too much. Synthetic fabrics, unlike cotton, can make the skin irritated and lead to infections.

Avoid Sugar

Sugary drinks normally contain excess sugar. This can make you feel sluggish after a sugar crash and definitely don’t add any nutritional value or hydrating qualities to your body. 

Good Hygiene

During the summer, good hygiene is even more important. The amount of sweat and dirt you accumulate during the day should be removed before nighttime to help prevent rashes. As well as in the morning followed by toning and moisturizing. 

Treat Sun Damage

Even though we may attempt to avoid UV rays and sun damage all together. Sometimes it’s inevitable. A tan may be beautiful to look at but it does indicate damage. There’s no such thing as overkill when it comes to fighting sun damage with anti-aging ingredients to help undo any side effects of the damage and further protect yourself from the effects of UV rays.

Seasons and Skin Changes

As seasons change, so does our skin. With the humidity, summer can lead to excess sweat, clogged pores and breakouts. The cooler air in the winter brings dry weather and dry skin by stripping the skin of it’s moisture which can cause scaly, irritated, cracked itchy skin. And both air conditioners and heaters in the winter and summer dehydrate the skin. 

So with each change of the season, we’ll need to update the rules of our skin care routine. 

Now that we’re heading into the summer, following a few simple rules like cleansing and moisturizing, having good hygiene, eating the right foods, drinking the right drinks, and wearing a strong SPF can help you protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun.

For more information on your skin and skin type, call Dr. Balshi in Delray Beach, FL about a consultation for your specific skin care needs in the summertime. 

For All Your Skin Care In The Summertime Needs…

For more questions about sunburn remedies or to learn how to better protect your skin from the sun contact a board-certified dermatologist in Delray Beach, contact Balshi Dermatology at (561) 272-6000 or send us a message on our Contact Page to set up your appointment.