As our body’s largest organ, skin covers us from head to toe and works like a protective coat that keeps us warm when it’s cold, and cool when it’s hot. It also helps keep things like germs out, and is susceptible to pain when cut or damaged. That being said, skin isn’t immune to problems, as the numerous people who suffer from acne, rashes, dry skin and other issues can certainly attest. Which is why it’s important to take great care of your skin, especially during summer when the weather outside pretty much requires wearing skimpier outfits. With that in mind, here are some excellent tips for taking care of your skin during the year’s hottest season:
1. Moisturize with Aloe Vera
Proper skin nourishment is the key to having a great complexion. Recommended by several industry experts, Aloe Vera is a great aid in this situation because of its anti-bacterial qualities and the fact that it can improve skin elasticity as well. For best results, choose a moisturizing cream or lotion that’s based on Aloe Vera and apply it liberally every time after you bathe, shave or exfoliate. People with dry skin would do well to carry a small tube of lotion that they can use whenever they feel like their skin is starting to dry up.
2. Don’t exfoliate more than twice a week
Exfoliation is an essential process for keeping your skin healthy. It works by removing all the dead cells that tend to clog pores and cause problems down the line. But people often tend to go overboard and exfoliate daily, thus actually causing more harm than good to their skin. Avoid this kind of self-inflicted damage by limiting your exfoliating sessions to once or twice per week at the most, and use a gentle, natural exfoliator.
3. Wear sunscreen every day
Sunscreen and summer go together like two peas in a pod, but it’s still remarkable how many people only put it on when they’re going to the beach. But, whether it’s blindingly sunny or overcast outside, there’s no reason not to apply sunscreen throughout summer when the sun’s rays are at their harshest. If you have fair skin, something with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of around 30 should work just fine. Always keep in mind that sunscreen can come off rather easily, so be sure to reapply it every 90 minutes or so and always after spending time in the water.
4. Avoid tanning salons
Speaking of skin protection, there is nothing worse for your skin than prolonged exposure to artificial rays. While the need for having a perfect complexion before you even hit the beach is understandable, tanning beds have been linked to long-term skin problems such as melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. So refrain from such methods and use self-tanning products instead. These come in a variety of forms nowadays, ranging from creams and lotions to self-tanning towels, but be sure you choose something that doesn’t contain any harmful parabens or synthetic perfumes.
5. Use a toner
An oft-underrated category of skincare products, toners are meant to be used after cleansing and provide a whole host of benefits for your skin. These include restoring its pH to normal levels, helping moisturizers work better and cleaning out your skin by removing excess dirt and make-up. The best ones are water-based and contain their fair share of active ingredients such as anti-oxidants, fatty acids and ceramides, which can have a positive impact on the look and feel of your skin. Remember that toners need to be kept in the fridge at all times in order to keep all their properties intact.
And so we’ve reached the end of our quick countdown of the five best tips for achieving perfect summer skin. Always try to remember, however, that your body and mind are inextricably linked, so maintaining a high level of personal well-being, drinking lots of water, and getting plenty of rest are just as instrumental for having good skin as any of the above-mentioned steps. Do so and you shall reap the rewards of an immaculate complexion that’s bound to be a real joy to the touch as well as the eye.
