“Sun”sational Safety Tips For Your Skin

Hello Friends! Summer is now in full swing, and I hope everyone has been enjoying the great outdoors and soaking up the warm temps summertime brings, safely of course!  Let’s take a look at some easy summer tips to keep your skin happy, healthy, and sun-kissed without the burn!

KNOW YOUR INGREDIENTS:

If you don’t change up your skincare for the seasons, you may see some unwanted changes in your skin. Because of the heat and humidity often experienced in the summer months, your sebaceous oil glands become more active, resulting in unexpected breakouts. Those with oily and even combination skin, may even want to skip the moisturizer and stick with a hydrating, light weight serum or elixir that contains hydrating ingredients such as peptides, botanical hyaluronic acid, and tremella mushrooms, such as Eina Organic’s Mermaid Elixir, Vitamin C Elixir,  or their Natural Peptide Mask, which can be used as a mask or a night time moisturizer.  In the summer, regardless of skin type, it is better to use products that are lighter and save the more emollient products for the winter.  Also, make sure that the products you use daily don’t contain Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA’s) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA’s) as they can be more sensitive to sun.  More on this when we talk about exfoliating!

SEEK THE SHADE:

When the sun is at its peak, it’s always a good idea to find shade or create your own. Whether it’s under a large umbrella, a tree, a ball cap or sun hat, finding shade can give your skin a much-needed break from the scorching sun rays and saves your face from sun spots, accelerated aging, and other sun damage. Plus, a hat always adds a touch of glam or fun to your summer outfit!

WATER, WATER AND MORE WATER:

The summer heat can leave you dehydrated, and your skin is no exception. Keep yourself and your skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Once you think you’ve drank enough water, drink some more. Most people don’t get enough water each day, and to keep your body and your skin hydrated during the high temps, there is no such thing as getting too much water!  So, drink up my friends!!!

SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN!

I can’t emphasize this enough. Applying sunscreen with a 35 SPF is vital to shield your skin from harmful UV rays. Make sure to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Using a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 35 will protect your skin from 97% of those harmful rays (SPF of 50 protects from 98% of harmful rays and SPF 100 protects from about 99%). Zinc oxide is the active ingredient in natural sunscreens, which is an all natural mineral, called zincite. Not only does it protect you from both UVA and UVB rays, but unlike chemical sunscreens, it protects your skin immediately, rather than taking 15-20 minutes to work. Elina Organics Sun Day Sunscreen has an SPF of 35 and is 100% natural for great protection while being outside. My favorite facial sunscreen is a tinted moisturizer by Elina Organics called Sun Shelter! Oh my! It’s a wonderful moisturizer that I use in place of foundation and it provides great sun protection!

WEAR YOUR SUNNIES:

Wearing sunglasses does more than just help you from squinting. They really do protect your eyes and the delicate skin around them from the sun’s harmful rays, especially if you have lenses that have the added bonus of UV protection. So, rock those stylish shades and let your eyes shine!

COVER UP WITH STYLE:

Loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats (at least 3 inches wide), and flowy maxi dresses not only protect your skin but also keep you stylishly comfortable  under the summer sun.

EXFOLIATE AND MOISTURIZE:

To maintain that summer glow, exfoliate your skin 1 – 3 times per week, depending on ingredients, to remove dead skin cells. It helps your masks and/or moisturizers penetrate deeper and leaves your skin feeling smooth and refreshed. If your favorite exfoliator or exfoliating mask contains AHA’s or BHA’s, it is still safe to use them if you use them at night and don’t use them more than once or twice per week.  After exfoliating, you can follow with a mask, such as Eve Organics Beauty Hydration Boost Mask and chill it on ice to cool and hydrate your skin, and then use a lightweight, nourishing moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and supple, but as discussed above, if your skin is more oily, skip the moisturizer and use an elixir that has hydrating ingredients. It’s a winning combo for a radiant summer complexion!

AS THE SUN SETS

Remember, enjoying the summer doesn’t mean sacrificing the health of your skin. By following these tips, you can soak up the sun and protect your skin from harm, while looking fabulous doing it! So, let your beautiful, sun-safe skin shine all summer long.