5 tips for caring for your skin in summer

However you feel about summer, it can be hard on your skin. The heat, humidity, and strong sunlight can create a host of problems, from excess sweating and oil production to acne breakouts and painful sunburn. Give your skin some TLC this season with these 5 tips to live your best life all summer long!

1. Wash your face twice a day

Excess heat triggers your sweat and sebaceous glands to go into overdrive. They’re part of your body’s defence mechanism against the hot, humid atmosphere. However they can lead to an unflattering summer shine, and increase the likelihood of acne breakouts. Tackle oil production and remove clinging dirt and debris by washing your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser. Avoid products that contain alcohol, and if you’re prone to dry skin, use non-foaming formulations.

2. Add exfoliation to your routine

Excess skin oil production makes it harder for the outer layer of skin cells to shed properly. This leads to a dull, tired complexion. Exfoliating regularly will help shift those cells, exposing the fresh new skin underneath. Over-exfoliating can be hard on your skin, so increase your routine slowly, say from once a week to twice or three times, depending on how oily your skin gets. Use a gentle formulation and avoid scrubbing your skin to get the best results.

3. Choose a lighter moisturizer

Our skin produces sweat and oil as a way of protecting our cells against damage from heat and dehydration. Adding more moisture to your skin probably feels like the last thing it needs, but moisturizing every day can help control and minimize unwanted symptoms. Summer skin doesn’t need the heavy, creamy lotions of winter, so look for a water-based formulation that will lock in hydration and keep your skin glowing instead of shining.

4. Stay hydrated

Even the best moisturizers will struggle to keep your skin in good condition if you aren’t drinking enough water throughout the day. A 160lb person needs to drink about a gallon of water every day to stay hydrated. In the summer, that intake may need to be higher to compensate for the excess sweat we produce in hot weather. When your cells are hydrated, they fill out, creating a smooth, even texture. That means your skin looks and feels soft and healthy, with fewer visible lines and wrinkles. Other ways to get extra hydration into your skin are to use products containing hyaluronic acid, and treat your skin with hydrating masks if it gets very dry.

5. Never forget to wear sunscreen

During the summer, UV rays from the sun are at their strongest. That means summer is the season we’re most likely to get sunburned. Not only does sunburn look unsightly and hurt, it also damages your skin long term. UV light can cause wrinkles, discoloration, age spots, and even skin cancer. You should use SPF 30 or higher, and don’t forget your hands, feet, and ears! Sunscreen needs to be reapplied every 2 hours to stay effective and keep you protected.

Bonus: Get more Vitamin C

Vitamin C is super important for protecting your skin against hyperpigmentation. This type of skin discoloration usually occurs in patches and spots. Exposure to UV light (sunlight) is a common culprit, which is why one of the most common forms of hyperpigmentation is called sun spots. Use skincare formulations that include vitamin C, eat plenty of citrus fruit, or consider a dietary supplement to help fight skin discoloration.

Love your skin in the summer

Summer is a great time to be outdoors loving life, but the bright weather can be hard on your skin. With just a few simple steps, you can reduce the damage caused by heat and sun exposure, keeping your skin healthy and happy all year round.