The Joy of Summer



Summer no doubt makes us happier. However, for the body it is simply just another season which it has to survive. Whilst winter may be a problem for dry skin, summer is a problem for oily skin! Rashes sunburn and infections are also common problems that summer brings with it.

Warm weather also attracts various insects and as we spend so much of our time outdoors, insect bites are often quite common. The problems really are endless and sometimes summer can seem more like a chore than a time to relax and enjoy the sun! Luckily there are a variety of ways in which we can protect our skin; it is all a matter of preparing the body!

How to Care For Summer Skin

There are literally loads of things you can do to help your skin in summer. The most obvious one is sun tan lotion. Our skin is more likely to get burned in summer and sunburn can not only be painful, but it can also be quite serious too. Skin cancer is a very big risk is summer and so a high level sun protection factor is essential, especially for people with fair skin and freckles. It is recommended that you use a sun protection factor of at least 18 and really for fair skin it should be even higher. Also, make sure that you are spreading enough onto the body and pat it into the body rather than wiping it on.

Other things you can do to help your summer skin include:

Changing Your Products

Just as you would change your products in winter if you have dry skin, changing your products in summer is also essential if you suffer from oily skin. Soap free cleansers are good to use and followed on by an alcohol free toner should help to keep the skin clean and fresh. These kinds of products help to ensure that you clean your face without removing all of the skins oils, and they also will not cause any irritation.

Changing your moisturizer is also important as you will now need a much lighter one than you did in the winter. It is essential to choose one which is oil free which usually has silicone or glycerine based ingredients in them.

Do Not Overdo it With the Exfoliator

Exfoliating may be really tempting in summer as more skin is often on show, however, it is possible to overdo it and damage the skin. You can still exfoliate on the knees and on the elbows, but exfoliating the face should definitely be avoided. If you do exfoliate the face it can cause microtears in the skin which lead to uneven pigmentation once exposed to the sun.

If you do want a gentler exfoliator, a cleanser or a moisturizer with alpha hydroxy acid such as Glycolic or Lactic acid, will gently exfoliate the skin and improve the texture and tone of the skin.

Making sure you dry off completely after bathing or having a shower is also important, as is keeping an insect repellent close by!

Overall, if you do follow the above tips, you should be able to get through summer with no real problems. Remembering to protect the skin from sunburn is the most essential tip to follow. Sunburn not only hurts, but it can also cause premature ageing as well as skin cancer. Always make sure that the foundation you wear also has an SPF of at least 15 and remember, if you have oily skin stay away from oil based products!