Summer is just around the corner and everyone is eager to soak up that wonderful Vitamin D. The warm breeze and radiant sun just entices you to laze around for some well-deserved relaxation and rejuvenation. But before you trade your sweaters for swimsuits and your sneakers for your flip-flops, be reminded that the summer weather is not always your friend and can have unseen damaging effects, especially on your skin.
Here are 5 quick and easy tips to protect your skin during the summer weather:
This is the first, most obvious and most often ignored tip. Sunscreen is essential during the summer and needed for daily use, not just when doing outdoor activities. It may be a hassle, but sunscreen protects against UV rays, which decreases your chance of skin cancer, premature aging of the skin and skin discoloration. And there is no excuse, keeping your skin healthy is more convenient than ever, as cosmetic lines are regularly releasing moisturizers with built-in SPF.
Antioxidants are chemicals found in many everyday foods that have protectant and healing attributes. Due to anti-inflammatory properties, consuming foods with Vitamin A, C and E such as, oranges, berries, milk, eggs, nuts and seeds, helps protect your skin against sun damage.
While that summer air may feel amazing, it can be extremely drying — not to mention the air filtered on planes while traveling. Moisturizers helps, but the best way to keep your skin hydrated is to drink lots of water. Water also has the added benefit of aiding in digestive health and prevents fatigue on a hot summer day.
Meaning, cover particularly vulnerable parts of your body. The skin on your face is more delicate, hence, prone to sun damage. Moles and freckles may form with extensive exposure. Therefore, hats are your best friend, especially hats with brims all the way round to protect your ears. With new summer clothing lines coming out, there is no shortage of stylish hats.
Look, I get it. We all want that beautiful summer glow that gives people the illusion we've been tanning in the Bahamas, even though in reality we’ve been stuck in an air-conditioned office all day. But tanning beds are not the solution. Constant UV rays from tanning beds cause irreversible damage. It will age your skin, cause wrinkles, increase chances of skin cancer and it may even damage your eyes.
Summer is a great opportunity to relax, explore the outdoors and spend time with family. But by consistently practicing a few simple habits, everyone can enjoy their summer adventures worry-free.
