We all love the summer sun and spending as much time in it as possible. But, that doesn’t mean we can ditch our skincare routines. Use our tips to take care of your skin this summer.
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Skincare is something that the kids are really good at. They grew up with beauty influencers on YouTube who really emphasized the importance of good skincare routines while they were doing their makeup tutorials. And those kids, their skin is better for it.
Those of us who suffered through dial up Internet have a different relationship with things like serum. Which your skin needs. Especially if you remember dial up Internet.
You can have a basic skincare routine, but there are a few things you want add during the summer, when heat and humidity are present.
So, keep your regular skincare regimen, but add these things to take care of your skin during the summer months.
Tips To Take Care Of Your Skin This Summer
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Protect Your Skin With Sunscreen
Baz Luhrmann did us all a favor when he turned a hypothetical commencement speech into a radio smash. I can’t remember any of the rest of it besides the last line: “but trust me on the sunscreen.”
And that’s what I’m saying you now. Wear sunscreen.
I don’t care if it’s one of those cloudy days or if you’re not planning on spending a long time outdoors. Wearing sunscreen is one of the most important things you can to do protect your skin from those pesky UV rays. Make sure you’re applying a sunscreen with a broad-spectrum SPF to block both UVA and UVB rays.
Don’t forget to reapply, too. Check the back of the bottle to see how long your sunscreen lasts, then reapply it if you’re in the sun longer or if you’ve been swimming or sweating.
Use it on all exposed skin (including your face, ears, and feet, if you’re in flip flops — places people forget!) if you’re planning some outdoor activities and put some on your hands if you’re driving. Because during the summer, we’re all taking extra road trips and that means more chances for our hands on the steering wheel to be exposed to the sun. So protect them.
Use Sun Protection Beyond Sunscreen
What you wear can really help your skin during the summer. You can wear a wide-brimmed hat or a baseball cap to keep the sun off your face.
What I prefer, though, is sun-protective clothing. There are items that are made with fabric that absorbs or blocks UV rays.
These items can actually be super cute and stylish too. Fun fact: Clothing has a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating, similar to SPF for sunscreen.
I ordered the viral Columbia Freezer III Dress (which protects against UVA and UVB rays, according to the description) before our most recent trip to Las Vegas. I wore it the day we were walking on the Las Vegas Strip because I knew that would be the day we would in direct sunlight for most of the day. It was super cute (I got a bunch of compliments on it), it kept me cool, and I didn’t get sunburned that day.
The dress I bought is sleeveless but, the American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends a long-sleeved shirt and long pants so you have as little exposed skin as possible. It also recommends dark colored clothing, rather than light colored clothing, because it offers more protection from the sun’s rays.
Also, while we’re talking about wearing the right clothes, closed shoes are a great way to assure your feet aren’t exposed to too much sun. If you’d rather wear flip flops during the summer, make sure that you’re covering them with sunscreen.
And finally, don’t forget to wear sunglasses when you’re out to protect your eyes.
Soothe And Care For Sun-Exposed Skin
If you spend time in the sun, it’s a good idea to use aloe vera, or products with aloe vera, after.
Aloe also cools your skin down after being outdoors and helps to keep your skin hydrated, which is important because a lot of people’s skin dries out after sun exposure. Aloe can help your skin retain its moisture.
It’s also really soothing and seems to have a way of pulling the sting out of burns, if you got any.
Cleanse Away Sweat And Sunscreen
After sweating all day because it’s hot during the summer, plus wearing sunscreen to protect your skin, your pores can get clogged up and potentially cause breakouts.
But, when you’re outdoors enjoying a baseball game or gardening or at a waterpark, you don’t want to constantly run to the bathroom to wash your face. That’s why face wipes are my BFF during the summer. You can just wipe your face, freshen up, and continue with your activity.
Of course, when you’re back indoors for good, either take a shower or just make sure to wash your face to get rid of any sweat or leftover sunscreen that’s lingering.
Protect Your Lips From Summer Sun
Everyone associates chapped lips with the winter months, but actually, your lips can get really damaged in the summer. Your lips can get sunburned and are really sensitive to UV damage.
Use a lip balm with an SPF to protect your lips from sun damage. If you do want to wear lipstick during the summer, you can. Just make sure to put the lip balm on first, then apply lipstick over it.
Sun exposure isn’t the only way your lips can get damaged in the summer, though. Those tasty summer drinks, like lemonade or anything made from citrus fruits, are really acidic. And they can cause your lips to dry out.
So if you’re planning on heading to a summer festival and getting a gigantic lemonade to wash down a funnel cake, keep your lip balm handy. And reapply it after you eat or drink anything.
Stay Hydrated
Your body needs moisture on the inside to keep your skin looking good on the outside. So keep water close by.
I always have a reusable tumbler filled with water near me at all times. I have one upstairs in my office that sits by me while I work all day and a second downstairs in the living room that I use when we’re having dinner, watching television, and it’s the one I take on my nightly walk.
Water is important to drink every season, but when you’re sweating in the warm weather, it’s even more important. You can drink infused water or coconut water, if you think plain water is boring. Just avoid any sugary drinks because, although those might taste good, they’re not hydrating.
Moisturize After Showering
A summer day outside means putting on sunscreen and sweating. It might mean getting sandy at the beach, dirty on a hike, or both.
So you come home, and you immediately jump in the shower.
After you shower, use some moisturizer on your body to keep your skin hydrated. And if you think, “Well, I’ve been inside in the air conditioning all day. My skin is fine.” Think again. Because, just like being outside, being in air conditioning can strip your skin of its oils and water too.
Personally, I also apply Vitamin C serum to my face because it helps repair UV-induced damage, so it’s good to use after a day in the sun. It is pricey, though, which is why I only use it on my face and other lotion on the rest of my body.
Take Care Of Your Skin After Swimming
For most people, swimming is a summer-only activity. So you kind of forget to take care of your skin after you swim, just because it’s mentally not in your routine.
But pools have chlorine, beaches have salt water, and natural swimming holes (like the one we visited in El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico) have, well, nature. They all can dry out or irritate your skin.
So, after you swim, you want to rinse off as soon as possible. Pools and beaches usually have a shower station nearby.
Pack a mini moisturizer in your bag so you can apply it when you rinse off. And if you’re done swimming but staying outside, make sure to apply some more sunscreen.
Be Gentle With Your Skin
Summer is when you’re out adventuring more, which is great. When it’s nice out, you can go to the park or the splash pad. But then, you come home and feel sticky from humidity and you immediately want to jump in the shower.
It’s possible that’s your second shower of the day, if you’re someone who showers when they wake up. And showering multiple times can leave your skin dry and potentially irritated. So choose gentle products that are softer on your skin.
Also, try a Japanese washcloth, which helps to gently exfoliate skin. It’s a really nice way to remove dry skin without a salt scrub, which can be harsh on skin that’s been in the sun.
Don’t Skip Your Skincare Routine On Vacation
Vacation you is way different than regular you. When you’re at home, you’re working and spending most of your time inside. When you’re on vacation, you’re out adventuring and exploring outside, which means your skin is getting a lot more sun exposure.
Don’t forget to pack sunscreen.
I have a travel-sized one in my travel bag, but I carry it around with me anytime we leave the hotel. That way, we can reapply it when we’re out.
I also pack travel-size versions of my daytime moisturizer, face wash, and night cream so that I don’t stop my routine just because I’m in a different city.
If you want a couple more tips, we have a simple skin care tips for when you’re traveling post that goes into more details.
Which of these Tips To Take Care Of Your Skin This Summer do you think is the most helpful? Let us know in the comments.
Sandra Garth
Saturday 13th of August 2016
Love these tips and I really should be applying more sunscreen.