As summer approaches, it would be a good idea to consider some changes in your skincare routine. Heat, humidity, sweat and prolonged sun exposure can affect your skin. Thus, changes should be done to help your skin deal with the new conditions.

So, let’s look at some necessary steps that will ensure the health and good appearance of your skin.

Use sunscreen. If you aren’t of those that apply sunscreen even in winter time, it’s time to do it. Opt for a broad spectrum, lightweight sunscreen with a high SPF 50. Higher SPF means that you can be sun-exposed for a longer time without getting sunburnt. Apply it 15-20 mins before sun exposure. Chemicals filters need time to be activated.

This alone is not enough. Sunscreens become less efficient over time. Within a couple of hours. You need to reapply your sunscreen almost very two hours, particularly after swimming or sweating to ensure adequate protection.

Wear sunglasses with UV400. This means that the lenses block 99-100% of UV rays.

Apply an eye cream with SPF to protect the delicate area of your eyes. The eye area is the first one to show the signs of dehydration and aging.

Wear a hat. Offers extra protection to your skin and to your hair as well.

Cleanse. You may even do double cleansing. The purpose is to eliminate the rest of sunscreen, dirt and oil. Under no circumstances would you want to get clogged pores. Preferably use a gentle cleanser.

Exfoliate to eliminate dead cells and to achieve a smoother skin texture and a brighter complexion but don’t over- exfoliate. Skin is photosensitive after the exfoliation process. You should better choose gentler products so as to avoid skin irritation even inflammation.

Include antioxidants in your skincare routine such as Vitamin C, resveratrol, Coenzyme Q10. Those substances offer protection against free radicals. If you want to know more about the antioxidants, here is my related post. https://www.christiannak.com/?p=146

Hydrate your skin. You can go for creams or  lightweight gel-creams. It is up to you and your skin’s needs. If you feel that you need a rich texture product for a while, you can do it. You may also consider to apply a hydrating toner or essence.

Drink more water to prevent dehydration from sweat.

Avoid overexposure to the sun. Stay in the shade. Tanning may give a beautiful tone to the skin but overexposure can lead to dark spots.

Avoid wearing foundation and try a BB or lightweight tinted cream, instead. Foundations tend to dehydrate the skin. Moreover, the heavy texture may clog your pores.

The important is to respect and protect your skin during the summer. All the efforts you made the rest of the year, to have a beautiful and healthy skin, should not be wasted. It doesn’t need much. Just more attention.

Special thanks to pexels.com for the free photos download as well as to the creator of this specific photo.