Summer Skin Care Tips to Help You Stay Sun Safe

         The Nuclear Fusion Reactor

What's the most familiar nuclear fusion reactor you can think of? No, it's not the Springfield Power Plant - that's nuclear fission. It's the sun actually. Every single day, the sun produces large amounts of energy, some of which gets tossed down onto Earth and we get lovely warmth, plants get fuel, and Donatella Versace gets even more tanned.

Unfortunately, radiation is sent down as well, not all of which gets blocked by the Earth's atmosphere. This is part of why over-exposure to the sun has been linked to skin cancer.

Similarly, tanning beds also put skin at risk, and are no safer for summer skin than actual sunlight. Both tan options expose the skin to UV radiation. This is something to keep in mind for the tanorexic folks out there. Also, UV radiation is a major creator of "free radicals", which can affect the body overall (so not dangerous only to summer skin).

Try to avoid midday sun in particular, because that is the time of day when rays are the most intense. An easy way to check is by looking down. If you are taller than your shadow, it means the sun's rays are strong, at which point it is wise to seek protection.

Back to Top

           And Where Are You Now?

                                 

How sun savvy are you right now?
Take the summer skin quiz and highlight below to reveal the answers.


1. Tanning is safest by:

a. using a tanning bed.
b. getting a bit of sun (maybe 20-30 minutes) then applying sunscreen.
c. wearing sunscreen and building up the tan gradually during the day.
d. avoiding the risk to summer skin altogether by getting a fake tan.

2. Using sunscreen becomes optional if you have a base tan.

True
False

3. Which summer skin care statement is true?

a. There are benefits to sun exposure, such as a vitamin D.
b. Skin cancer is easily curable, so it's not something to be bothered about.
c. People with darker skin don't have to worry as much about summer skin.
d. The fake tan I use protects me a bit more from the sun because now my skin is darker.

4. Question 3 was a trick question:

True
False

5. The best way to protect summer skin with sunscreen is to:

a. apply a waterproof formula in the morning before leaving home.
b. apply it every 2 hours and immediately after swimming.
c. use a sunscreen before the expiry date and apply a very strong SPF once a day
d. d. huh? What's sunscreen?


Answers: 1. d    2. f    3. e    4. t    5. b
Highlight above for answers!

Back to Top

              Sunscreen, Of Course

Doctors have been preaching to us for years about summer skin protection. And that's a good thing! Daily sunscreen is such a simple, yet vital, habit to get into. Over one million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year. So, the more we can do to protect summer skin the better. And to protect summer skin well, adequate coverage throughout the day is a MUST.

Apply sunscreen in the morning at least 20 minutes before going out. This should be done even on cloudy days because, even though you may not see the sun or feel the rays, you do still need to protect. As a general rule, a sunscreen formula with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 is a good pick for summer skin. Approximately 2 oz (60 ml) should be enough to cover exposed areas. Sunscreen should be applied every two hours if you're out all day on a sunny day. And don't forget to reapply immediately after swimming.

If you have fair skin, particular the type that doesn't tan but merely burns in the sun, you may want to incorporate a sunscreen with either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide into your summer skin care routine. These two ingredients don't break down as easily as other ingredients may, so the protection is a bit better assured as time passes. Secondly, they cover a broad spectrum, protecting summer skin against both UVA and UVB radiation. This is a consideration beneficial to all skin types, but especially so in the case of fair complexions.

Summer skin protection relies on sunscreen effectiveness too. Be careful about using sunscreen left over from last year. Old open bottles should be discarded and unopened bottles should be checked to see if the expiration has passed. Preservatives break down over time, especially when exposed to heat (which is likely the case with a bottle of sunscreen). Wearing sunscreen that has lost its effectiveness is just as bad as wearing no sunscreen at all because, either way, summer skin is less protected than it could be.

Back to Top

  The Downside Of Being Thick Skinned

Don't forget to exfoliate and hydrate! Do incorporate exfoliation into your summer skin care routine; it is a good idea to exfoliate to remove the dead skin cells that no doubt have built during the cooler months. This would reveal the more radiant skin underneath and help your summer skin glow. It would also help the absorption of your sunscreen and moisturizers, as well as aid the evenness of any self-tanner you may use.

Moisture helps soften the top layer of skin, and exfoliating bath products are an easy addition to your summer skin care routine since there are so many choices out there. There is need to go overboard either, exfoliation once or twice a week is enough.


                Hydration Is Good For Summer Skin

This tip is not a summer skin consideration per se, in that all year round, it is important to drink ample amounts of water.

If you are concerned about whether or not you are drinking enough water, there are ways to roughly calculate how much water to drink each day in ounces and in milliliters.

In staying hydrated during the summer, skin benefits, but so does the rest of your body too.

Back to Top

         Wear Physical Protection Too

In addition to sunscreen, physical sun barriers are good ways to shield summer skin too. It is a good idea to wear a cap or wide-brimmed hat for long hours on the beach to protect your scalp, face, and neck. Sitting under a shady umbrella would similarly protect summer skin from potential sun damage.

For other activities that also keep you out in direct sunlight for long hours, like golfing or boating, thin cotton long-sleeved shirts and long pants would help to protect the rest of your body from dangerous UV radiation.

Back to Top

                 Light Switching

Similar to how clothing is lightened up in the summer months, summer skin care options should also be lighter versions of what you've been wearing. Products used during the cooler months are likely to feel heavier and sticky in the heat. An easy way to choose a lighter product is to trade in skin creams for skin lotions.

Sunscreen and moisturizers are most commonly offered as either a cream or a lotion, and generally brands will give you the choice of a product in a lighter formulation for summer skin. If you cannot find the same product in a lighter formula within the brand, seek out the ingredients that you like the product for in a different brand.

For foundation wearers, a way to lighten up for summer skin would be to switch to a powered mineral foundation during the summer months. Some powdered foundations are even formulated to absorb excess oil, which can help to alleviate summer skin breakouts. With the increase in sweat during the summer months, it is worth thinking about the small things that can be done to keep your summer skin looking beautiful while not creating an environment that invites acne outbreaks.

Back to Top

Back to Top

               Also Watch Out For...

                               

Summer skin isn't the only part of the body susceptible to sunburn. Probably THE most overlooked thing about sun safety is eye protection. In efforts to protect summer skin from the sun, the eyes should not be forsaken. Too much direct sunlight going into the eye can be harmful as well. Click below for a video with great illustration that explains why.


     

Back to Top

Back to Top