When we think of summer, we are thrilled with the idea of the sun, a sweet vacation, the beach and everything else that involves being out in the open air. Unfortunately, our skin is not resilient enough to protect itself against harsh UV rays, pollution and all that chlorine most of us live in during the hot weather months. Here are 4 simple and effective steps and tips that will help keep your skin healthy and vibrant.
#1 We all know how important it is to drink plenty of water
Hydration is the key not only for your skin during the summer, but your entire body all year round. If you drink 2 to 2.5 liters a day you’ll quickly notice a change in your skin, hair, digestion…the list is endless. Here are some tips to help you get it done:
- Flavour your water with a cinnamon stick, lemon or just toss in some fruit.
- Set yourself an alarm to remind yourself to drink a cup every 2 hours.
- Use an app to track your cups!
- Drink a glass before every meal.
- Mark your water bottle with the time to drink.
#2 Exfoliate at least once a month
The exfoliation process allows us to eliminate dead cells that can accumulate on the skin making it easier to apply make-up, and making our creams and sunscreen more effective. No need to break the bank, you can easily create one from home, using common household products:
2 Spoons scrub recipe
Mix:
- 1 tbsp. of coconut oil
- 2 tbs. sugar
Or
Lemon sugar scrub recipe
Mix:
- 1/2 fresh lemon
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp organic honey
#3 Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisturize.
Your skin is the largest organ on your body and has the most contact with the sun and air. It is important to moisturize in order to restore hydration and oils after long days in the rays and harsh pollutants in the air. For those of you with dry skin, use a rich moisturizer with a shea butter base, wheat oil or argan. If on the other hand, you have oily skin, opt for an ultralight cream, enriched with a sebum regulator. Oil-free creams with vitamin E or B5 are good options to choose from.
#4 Serve and protect your skin with sunscreen!
The sun’s UV rays can cause serious damage and even age the skin; so sunscreen is an absolute must! Did you know that the Sun Protection Factor (SPF), indicates the how long it is effective for and not its degree of protection? For example, a sunscreen with SPF 30 protects you from rays for 30 minutes before you should reapply.
It’s so easy to forget about shielding ourselves against the harshness of the sun when we are so elated to finally be able to enjoy the summer weather. But; we all need to take the time and prep with some of the easy tips above to ensure we protect our magnificent bodies not only for today but for our future selves as well.
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