Winter was vicious this year. Everyone’s skin took a beating. But the Farmer’s Almanac predicts a hotter-than-usual summer ahead. While this prophesied summer might sound like the hero that finally slays winter, going from one extreme to another will wreak havoc on your skin. Let’s take a look at how to best cushion your skin for a healthy glow this summer that is actually healthy.
Say goodbye to chemical peels and harsh exfoliants. Long Island summers are bright, spotlit by a blistering sun. Heat is irritating, and the sun is vicious. Your skin is never more exposed than after an exfoliation. Chemical peels and physical exfoliants remove the uppermost layer of skin to reveal the soft, smooth skin underneath. Advice after using these products is to avoid sunlight, but that’s next to impossible over the summer.
Skip harsh treatments this summer and pamper yourself through hydration. Everyone wants that lush look over the summer, but dehydration can sneak up on you. The obvious advice is to drink a lot of water. Start with the inside, and the outside will benefit. But to supplement that indulgent joy of performing a skin treatment, try a sheet mask or smooth on an under-eye mask. Sheet masks are cheap, fun, and fast. They blanket your skin and give you an excuse to stop and take a quick fifteen minutes for yourself. Under-eye masks are practical; put them on and then enjoy your cup of coffee. The shine these products leave behind is amazing, and they do it without peeling your face.
If the thought of hot summer days automatically triggers images of oily skin and breakouts, consider swapping out your facial cleanser. You want a soap that prioritizes gentle but effective cleansing. Summer builds up in gross ways. Sweat, sunscreen, and outdoor grit can sit on top of your skin. Wash it away with a gel or foam cleanser to save your moisture barrier.
Antioxidants are your friend. Keep your eye out for a serum that flaunts vitamin C or niacinamide. These are the superfoods of the summer skincare world. They baby your skin, soothing minor damage from sun exposure, stress, and remnants of winter. If the idea of working from the inside out for natural skincare sounds appealing, sprinkle blueberries into your smoothie. Grab a clementine to enjoy on the go—delicious, refreshing, and good for all of you!
It goes without saying, but let’s say it all together…sunscreen! You must wear sunscreen. It is not some internet craze you are immune to. No one is getting any younger, least of all the sun. The sun is an unpleasant entity in its old age. Pick a broad-spectrum coverage sunscreen, meaning it blocks UVA and UVB rays. Dermatologists recommend a sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher. Avoid the burn.
Enjoy your summer so much you glow. Protecting your skin as the seasons change will keep you looking radiant. Nothing glitters like health.
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