Did you spend all your winter indoors? Well, if the answer is yes and you are going out in summer, especially if you are considering spending the whole day on the beach, then trust me, you don’t want to risk it without sunscreen and other effective ways to protect your skin from sunburn.
How Does Hot Weather Affect Your Skin?
Sun, the light of which is vital for life, can also become harmful in many ways if not appropriately directed. Undoubtedly, it’s the primary source of Vitamin D for our bones (1). Studies reveal that the Sun-induced vitamin D synthesis causes immune cells to travel to the outer layer of skin and this process can protect and helps repair damage caused by exposure to the Sun (2). Apart from being necessary, it can also be harmful if its exposure is more than an optimal limit.
Sun rays have ultraviolet rays classified as UVA and UVB rays. These rays can trigger the breakdown of biological cells.
While summer brings joy and fun along with it, hot weather can take away the water level of our body, leading to dehydration. This may result in dry skin, breakouts, rashes, and irritated skin. In addition, overexposure to sun rays can trigger moisture loss from the skin and cause dryness, loss of elasticity, and premature aging.
Common Skin Problems During Summer
Following are some common skin problems that one can suffer during hot summer days (3).
- Tanning
- Acne breakout
- Rashes
- Sunburn
- Dehydration
- Bacterial Infection
- Melasma
- Folliculitis
- Cuts and scrapes
- Athlete’s foot
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11 Tips To Keep Your Skin Glowing In Summer
1. Say Yes To Sunscreens
Higher SPF provides better protection. Most dermatologists recommend SPF 30, and it’s advised to maintain an application thickness of 2mg/cm² (4). It’s also recommended to use sunscreen on days when there’s not much sun exposure. Moreover, if you are fond of swimming or you have a sweating problem, then the need for sunscreen increases. Additionally, the sunscreens shouldn’t be stored at high temperatures, and if that’s the case with your product, then you better buy a new one.
2. Minimize Sun Exposure
There are certain hours when sunlight is most intense, and usually, it’s between 10 am to 2 pm. You should avoid sun exposure, especially during this time of the day, as it is most likely that you may get a sunburn. If you have a specific job you can’t avoid, you should use an umbrella or proper shelter, and it is best if you have a UV umbrella. Furthermore, you should use protective clothing and sun protection, even when in the shade.
Avoid exposure to Sun between 10 AM – 2 PM as the intensity of sun rays is maximum.
3. Protect Your Eyes
Proper protective sunglasses are critical in preventing damage to sensitive skin, most notably around your eyes. UV sunglasses protect the eyes from intense sun rays. On the other hand, you can also go for polarized glasses as they provide better clarity and eliminate glare.
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4. Use Right Headgear
A hat with a broader brim can protect your face, neck, and ears. Baseball caps do not cover the neck and ears, so it is suggested to use sunscreen if you wear a baseball cap. UV protective clothing is a fantastic innovation that can be useful to protect you from harmful radiation. It is highly recommended to wear protective clothing if your job is outdoor.
5. Take Proper Skincare
Taking proper care of your skin is critical. Certain brands produce excellent creams and serums using natural ingredients that can help you reduce inflammation and harmful effects. Moreover, moisturizers, sunscreens, and serums have an additional punch of antioxidants, so you should get one for yourself. However, before going for a product, you should always check the type of skin you have. If you have dry skin, you may experience redness and rashes. Therefore, the use of non-soapy face wash is advisable. People with normal skin types can opt for a gel-based face wash.
6. Hydrate Your Skin
You should keep your body hydrated, and do not forget to carry a water bottle along with you wherever you go on hot sunny days. It is vital to keep yourself hydrated as you sweat excessively in the summer. Drinking a lot of water not only keeps you hydrated but also helps to flush out toxins from your body. It also boosts your overall health and skin outlook.
7. Embrace Healthy Diet
Another essential part of keeping your body healthy and glowing is to have a healthy intake of food. You should pay proper attention to your diet. You may consider Vitamin C as it protects your skin from environmental damages. The organic diet help repair the skin and neutralize free radicals. Seasonal foods such as pineapples, citrus fruits, fresh berries, vegetables, and seafood are rich in essential vitamins and boost collagen production.
8. Improve Lifestyle
Maintaining healthy skin is the most essential and crucial part of skincare. Avoid smoking and drinking for better and instant results. Treat your skin with mild soaps and moisturizers. Avoid hot showers as much as possible, as they are likely to strip away the essential oils from your skin. Engage in stress-reducing activities as it can delay aging signs. Moreover, make sure to sleep at least 7-8 hours/day to get proper rest (5).
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9. Go For Minimal Makeup
It is recommended to avoid heavy makeup during summer as it can clog pores and make it difficult for your skin to breathe. Instead, apply minimal makeup that is easy on your skin. You may also consider a tinted moisturizer with an SPF.
10. Exfoliate Regularly
Using an exfoliator is a great idea to slug off dead skin cells during hot sunny days. This will ensure soft, supple, and radiant skin. You can either use an OTC product or quickly make your DIY exfoliating mask.
11. Moisturize Regularly
Your skin needs constant hydration to keep it soft, supple, and radiant. Therefore, locking skin’s moisture level is of utmost importance even during summer. You may reduce the usage of a moisturizer during summer; however, completely stopping its use is not recommended.
Bonus Tips – Avoid Specific Medications
The OTC drugs and antibiotics can make the skin more sensitive to the Sun. Moreover, Benadryl, NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), ibuprofen, aspirin, antidiabetics, and Tetracyclines can enhance sensitivity. Furthermore, certain antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs can also make the scenario worse. Therefore, you should always consult a pharmacist to know the possible side effects of medications you are taking, especially if you’ve sunburn problems or skin diseases.
How to Get Tanned
People are going crazy to get tanned. Many of them prefer to tan their bodies directly under the sun; however, others use tanning beds frequently to get their bodies tanned. Unfortunately, tanning beds produce harmful UVA and UVB rays, increasing the risk of skin cancer and even melanoma (most deadly amongst skin cancers). In addition, tanning beds are harmful because the rays used in this procedure can disturb the normal composition of DNA. So, if you consider getting your body tanned, you better do proper research on how it reacts to certain conditions.
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Care for Kids
Sunscreen should not be used for newborns and kids younger than six months, but they should be protected from sun exposure using other means such as glasses, caps, or protective clothing (6).
Regular Skin Checkup
Be aware of any freckles, moles, or suspicious spots appearing on your skin. Moreover, monitor any changes other than these in the skin that may have occurred. Besides, regular skin and health check-ups should be done with the help of your dermatologist or healthcare provider. If you closely monitor changes happening in your skin, you are highly likely to be able to counter any severe effect at its initial stage.
Summary:
Summer brings plenty of skin issues along with it. Some of the most common ailments are Tanning, Acne breakout, Rashes, Sunburn, Dehydration, Bacterial Infection, Melasma, Folliculitis, Cuts and scrapes, and Athlete’s foot. With proper usage of sunscreen lotion, headgear, adequate hydration, can save you from summer skin ailments. Following all these tips, along with a healthy diet providing all the nutrients, plenty of water and proper sleeping habits can help you achieve reasonably superior protection in summers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should apply to face in summer?
Wear a sunscreen lotion with SPF 30+, cut down on your makeup, keep your skin hydrated, exfoliate regularly, and use a refreshing toner.
Which oil is best for the skin in summer?
For oily skin, use Primrose oil or jojoba oil. For dry skin, use Almond oil or lavender oil. And for combination skin, use Olive oil and ylang-ylang oil.
Is coconut oil good for the skin in summer?
Yes, you can embrace the benefits of coconut oil during the summer. It will lock the natural moisture of the skin. However, avoid it if you are experiencing frequent breakouts.
Why does my face break out in the summer?
Summer comes with hot and humid weather. It leads to more sweating and accumulation of oil in the skin. This results in clogging of skin pores and acne breakouts.
Which facial is best in summer for oily skin?
Go for an organic facial and exfoliate your skin regularly. Try Multani mitti face packs 2-3 times a week.
References –
- “How to get vitamin D from sunlight” – nhs.uk
- “Could Some Sun Be Good for Your Skin?” – webmd.com
- “9 Tips to Protect Your Skin This Summer” – mayoclinic.org
- “Simple dosage guide for suncreams will help users” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “In search of sleep” – health.harvard.edu
- “When is it OK for a baby to wear sunscreen?” – mayoclinic.org
