We wait all year for summer to arrive, but when it does arrive, we can get lost in the excitement of the season and forget the importance of summer skin care. This season, vow to make some changes to your routine to ensure that the most enjoyable time of the year doesn’t last forever (in the form of skin damage).
Rinse away chlorine | Leave no sweat or dirt behind | Face and body exfoliation | Reapply high SPF sunscreen | Avoid using expired sunscreen | Establish a nighttime skincare routine | Make sleep a priority
Summer resolution number 1: Wash off the chlorine
Planning on spending a lot of time at the pool this summer? If you have sensitive skin, chlorine rash can be a real problem. Health.comThis type of rash is more likely to occur in pools with high levels of chlorine, such as hotel pools or public pools. These chemicals serve a good purpose, but they’re no joke. Your risk of developing a rash increases the more time you spend in the pool, and your skin may become dry, red, and itchy. Thankfully, this type of rash is not contagious. It’s thought to occur because chlorine irritates the skin and “stripping away the surface oily layer” that normally traps moisture.
One way to minimize the effects of chlorine rash and dry, irritated skin after swimming is to remove your wet swimsuit when you return to land. Shower thoroughly with soap to remove the chlorine, and apply a moisturizer to hydrate. If the rash gets worse, see a doctor to see if there’s a more serious problem.
Summer vow number 2: Leave no sweat or dirt behind
Heat, sweat, and bacteria are the three biggest summer nightmares for your skin. When these three factors combine, they create the perfect environment for another nasty problem: clogged pores, skin problems, and summer body acne. If your summer so far has been plagued by unpleasant skin issues, now is the time to reevaluate your clothing choices to reduce the occurrence of these issues.
Change your clothes frequently on warmer days to reduce sweat, oil, and dirt from sticking to your skin. Wear loose-fitting clothes and natural fibers (like linen or lightweight cotton) instead of tight-fitting polyester blends. If you exercise, invest in sweat-wicking activewear that keeps you cool and doesn’t trap sweat on your skin. Also, avoid staying in your exercise clothes for long periods of time after you’re done. Shower and change into fresh, lightweight clothing.
Summer Resolution No. 3: Exfoliate your face and body
Your face is a magnet for dirt, so washing away the day’s grime can leave you feeling refreshed and glowing. Monoi Age Corrective Exfoliating Cleanser, a gentle multi-action exfoliating cleanser that draws out impurities, removes surface dirt and smoothes skin. You can also target breakouts with Clear Skin Willow Bark Booster Serum and Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser to brighten your skin and shake off those summer blues.
As for the rest of your body, small actions can make a big difference in combating the “back acne” (and body acne of course), keratosis pilaris, dry spots, and redness that we tend to ignore in the winter because our skin is covered.
Are you looking to bare your shoulders or back this summer? Look your best by booking a back facial at your local Eminence Organic Spa Partner to exfoliate and treat those hard-to-reach areas where sweat and bacteria can easily build up, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. Say goodbye to summer acne!
If your skin is feeling dull and flaky after a long winter, slough off layers of dead skin cells to reveal smooth, glowing summer skin. Cleveland ClinicDry brushing your back, thighs, buttocks, arms and legs before a shower is a great way to remove dead skin cells, increase circulation, unclog pores and prevent sweat and dirt build-up. Lymphatic DrainageIt is a gentle massage technique that stimulates lymphatic flow and removes waste and toxins from the body.
Alternatively, scrubs specially formulated for full body exfoliation are perfect for refreshing skin: our antioxidant-rich Stone Crop Revitalising Body Scrub and hydrating Coconut Sugar Scrub are both great ways to achieve beautifully polished skin.
Summer resolution #4: Reapply high-SPF sunscreen
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Sunscreen is one of the most important steps in your skincare routine. But any old product doesn’t always work. Strive for success with a high SPF product. A sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is essential for protecting your skin from the sun. Daily Defense Tinted SPF provides broad spectrum protection of SPF 50+ while hydrating and nourishing skin, and if you’re also looking to combat signs of aging, try Radiant Protection SPF Fluid, a lightweight liquid sunscreen that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while providing SPF 30 protection.
SPF in your makeup is a bonus, but it’s not enough: If you want to prevent sun-related skin damage on your face and body, make sure you apply (and reapply) sunscreen regularly. Skincancer.org It is recommended that you apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to exposed areas of the body and reapply every 2 hours depending on activity. For the face and neck: 1/2 teaspoon This should be enough for the first application. If you plan on using a water-resistant sunscreen and going into a pool or lake multiple times, you should pay attention to the instructions on how often to reapply.
Keep in mind that you can still experience sun damage even when you’re sitting indoors. UV rays can penetrate through windows, even when you’re lounging indoors with the air conditioning on or driving your car on a sunny day. That’s why it’s so important to stick to your commitment to making SPF a daily habit.
Summer Resolution #5: Avoid Expired Sunscreen
I know your intentions were good when you bought that big tube of sunscreen five years ago, but it’s time to let it go. Mayo ClinicSunscreens sold in the US should remain at their original strength for three years. Replace any that are nearing the expiration date. If the product has less than three years to go, it should have an expiration date printed on it. However, if it has a different consistency, a strange smell, or a change in color, even if it’s before the expiration date, your SPF product may not be working as well as it should. When in doubt, throw it out. It’s not worth the risk.
Summer Resolution #6: Establish a Nighttime Skincare Routine
Sunlight, extreme heat, smog, and salt water are just a few of the environmental hazards that can wreak havoc on your skin in the summer, so make sure you wash your face thoroughly at the end of the day. Our Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser is perfect for refining skin texture without over-stripping the skin’s natural oils. Follow with a swipe of our Pineapple Refining Tonic and our Arctic Berry Peptide Radiance Cream (add our Superfood Booster Powder for even better results). This combo combats dullness and dryness with two luminous formulas.
If you’re looking to get a vitamin boost at home on a rare summer evening, leave the Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Mask on your skin for 5-10 minutes before applying your nighttime moisturizer to wake up to skin that’s brighter, firmer and plumper.
Summer Resolution #7: Prioritize Sleep
Summer days can be exhausting in the best way. Early morning hikes, long drives, and late summer nights can take their toll in the form of dark circles under the eyes and shortened sleep cycles.
Sleep is important for your overall skin health. “Beauty sleep” is a reality. HealthlineLack of sleep can cause your skin to age faster and give your skin less time to repair itself from environmental stressors. Getting at least eight hours of sleep a night can go a long way in eliminating that sagging eye bag that’s been bothering you. And of course, it’s also important to make sure you’re storing up plenty of solar energy for upcoming summer activities.
Need help sticking to your summer skincare resolutions? Visit an Eminence Organics spa partner to get ready for a summer of (safe) fun in the sun.
