As the temperature rises and the days grow longer, it’s that time of the year when skin problems like sunburns, heat rashes and acne start surfacing. It’s crucial to adopt an appropriate summer skincare routine during this period.
The scorching heat, humidity and high temperatures can lead to skin issues like tanning, breakouts, uneven skin tone and sunspots.
As the sun shines brighter, we experience certain changes in our skin during this season. It’s time to revamp your skincare routine to keep your skin healthy and glowing.
Whether your approach is lightweight wear or just carefree, less is always more these days.
A summer skincare routine should focus on protection from the sun, hydration and cleansing to prevent clogged pores. Key steps include using broad-spectrum sunscreen, moisturising with lightweight formulas, and exfoliating regularly.
Read more:
Hydrating cleanser
Increased heat and humidity often lead to increased oiliness in the skin. It’s an essential step in maintaining healthy skin during the summer months. Opt for a mild, sulfate-free cleanser with soothing ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera, neem or tea tree oil to calm the skin and combat bacteria, etc.
The cleanser effectively eliminates dirt and impurities, unveiling a soft and radiant complexion. Make sure to cleanse your skin twice daily.
Consider double cleansing at night if you are wearing sunscreen or makeup. Start with an oil-based cleanser to break down makeup and sunscreen, then follow up with a gentle water-based cleanser to remove any remaining impurities.
Protect your eyes
To protect your eyes during summer, make sure you are wearing sunglasses that are marked 100% ultraviolet (UV) protection.
Know that clouds don’t block UV light. The UV rays can pass through haze and clouds. These UV rays burn the surface of your eye and can cause pain, redness, blurriness and even temporary vision loss. So, always wear 100% UV protection sunglasses when outdoors to keep your eyes healthy.
Frames should be contoured, comfortable to wear and fit close to the face and head, not too large and not too small.
There is a general belief that sufficient UV protection comes at a higher price, but that is not true. Cheaper goggles or sunglasses also offer adequate protection against UV rays.
Wear a hat with a brim that is at least 3 inches wide to reduce your risk. This protection can help lower the danger of damaging UV radiation directly reaching your eyes.
In summer, you are more prone to dehydration than usual. As a result, your body’s natural ability to retain moisture is affected by dehydration. Maintaining a healthy level of hydration can help retain moisture levels and prevent dry eyes.
Protect your lips
When it comes to protecting ourselves from harmful UV rays, we often prioritise our face and body, but what about our lips?
Lips are just as susceptible to the sun’s radiation as the rest of your body, which means they are vulnerable to skin issues. To protect your lips from the sun, use a moisturising lip balm with SPF 30 or higher and reapply every two hours, or more frequently.
Make sure your lips are clean before applying lip balm. Apply a generous amount of lip balm to cover the entire lip. Make sure to cover the corners of your lips as well. Apply lip balm 20-25 minutes before heading outdoors. Use lip brightening balms that also moisturise your lips. SPF-30 lip balms filter out about 97% of UV rays.
Treating sunburn on the lips can be similar to treating sunburn on the skin. You can apply aloe vera and cold compresses, among other products, or take anti-inflammatories to relieve your symptoms. The aloe vera gel can be used to relieve sunburn-related pain.
Avoid hot showers
While a hot shower may feel soothing, prolonged exposure to hot water can exacerbate dehydration, which can lead to serious complications, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Dehydration causes blood to thicken and clot, leading to pulmonary embolism, which is usually worse than a heart attack.
Taking a cold shower can be a quick and easy way to cool down your body. A cold shower can help lower your body temperature and reduce sweating, making you feel refreshed and energised.
Taking shorter showers during a heatwave is crucial for maintaining both personal and public health. Long showers can make your skin dry. Limit your shower time to 10-15 minutes.
Use a moisturising soap while showering to keep your skin hydrated and prevent it from drying out.
A soap with natural ingredients like coconut oil, aloe vera and glycerine is recommended during the hot summer season.
Banner image by Fernando Capetillo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/peaceful-woman-enjoying-nature-in-summer-field-31985536/
