Beauty & Lifestyle, Makeup and Beauty, Skin and Hair Care
Get Your Skin Ready for Summer
Every year we promise ourselves that we will prepare our bodies for summer on time, and yet it always catches us unprepared. Although the summer season is just around the corner, there is still time to get your skin glowing for the beach. Here are a few useful tips to get you started.
1. Full Body Exfoliation
No matter the season, regular exfoliation should be a part of your skin care routine. While we remember to take care of our face during winter, we often neglect our bodies because they are hidden under layers of clothes. If you have not done it yet, now is the time to exfoliate both your face AND your body. Unless your skin is too sensitive, dermatologists recommend exfoliating once or twice a week to achieve smooth and healthy-looking skin. But be careful – exfoliation is meant to remove only the surface, dead skin cells, without damaging the underlying new layer. Since body skin is a bit rougher, you can use brushes and exfoliating cloths or natural scrubs with coarse particles, like sugar. On the other hand, avoid using them on your face because they might cause irritation.
2. Sunscreen as an Everyday Accessory
Freshly exfoliated skin is extremely susceptible to burning. This should be a reason enough to use sunscreen daily. If you are wearing makeup that contains sunscreen, that does not count. The SPF of beauty products is too low to provide an effective UV protection. But any broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 will be enough on a regular day. Make it at least 30 if you are heading to the beach. If you are wearing makeup, you should layer sunscreen under it. But remember that you will have to reapply the SPF about every two hours, so you might want to skip the whole makeup thing.
3. Switch to Summer Skincare Products
Products that kept your skin feeling hydrated and comfortable during cold and dry winter months may leave it sticky and sweaty once the heat sets in. As the temperatures start to rise and the air becomes more humid, your skin begins to adjust by producing more oil. So, you need to adjust your skincare products accordingly. Pick products that contain lightweight ingredients, such as silicones and glycerine. They will hydrate your skin and leave a breathable barrier. If your skin is prone to breakouts, dab facial oil in dry spots and skip the rest of your face. You may be tempted to use harsh soaps in order to get squeaky clean skin, but this method can only backfire and cause your skin to produce even more oil. Instead, use a gentle facial cleanser such as rose water spray or a foaming face wash. If you have sensitive skin, opt for an online doctor consultation.
4. Get Familiar with the New SPF Regulations
In 2012, the FDA adopted new regulations that redefined sunscreens as we knew them. The term ‘sunblock’ came out of use because it cannot be scientifically proven that these products completely block sun radiation. New sunscreens are labelled only ‘broad-spectrum’ if they filter out both UVA and UVB rays. SPFs higher than 50 are also a thing of the past since the sky-high digits are not a guarantee of higher protective powers of sunscreen. A SPF 30 filters approximately 97 percent of UVB rays, and SPF 75 cannot be much more effective than that, can it?
With age, these tricks become less effective in providing us youthful-looking skin. This is when you should consider facial rejuvenation. We recommend laser clinics whose experts assure you that facial rejuvenation can improve the look of deep lines and prevent the occurrence of new ones.
About the Author:
Amy Mia Goldsmith is an Australian literature graduate with a passion for organic cosmetics and hair care.
