Summer Skin Care: 7 Vows To Save Your Skin
We wait all year for summer to appear, and when it does, sometimes the excitement of the season takes over and we forget about the importance of summer skin care. This season let’s vow to make some tweaks to our routine so that the best time of year doesn’t last forever (in the form of skin damage).
Wash Away Chlorine | Don't Allow Sweat And Grime To Linger | Exfoliate The Face And Body | Reapply A High SPF Sunscreen | Avoid Using Expired Sunscreen | Establish A Nighttime Skin Care Routine | Prioritize Sleep
Summer Vow #1: Wash Away Chlorine
Planning to spend lots of time at the pool this summer? If your skin sits on the more sensitive side of the scale, a chlorine rash could be a very real issue. According to Health.com, this type of rash is more likely to occur in a pool with a higher level of chlorine – like a hotel pool or public pool. Those chemicals serve a good purpose but they are no joke. The risk of incurring a rash seems to increase the longer you spend in the pool and can leave the skin feeling dry, red and itchy. Thankfully, these types of rashes aren’t contagious. They are thought to occur because chlorine can irritate the skin and “strips away the surface layer of oil" that usually locks in moisture.
One way to minimize the effects of a chlorine rash or dry, irritated post-swim skin is to take off your wet bathing suit once you’re back on dry land. Shower thoroughly with soap to help remove the chlorine and apply a moisturizer to restore a feeling of hydration. If the rash worsens, check in with your doctor to rule out anything more serious.
Summer Vow #2: Don't Allow Sweat And Grime To Linger
Heat, sweat and bacteria are the unwelcome trio of summer skin nightmares. All three factors trapped together create the perfect environment for another undesirable threesome: clogged pores, problem skin and summer acne on the body. If past summers were marred by unpleasant skin issues, now’s the time to reduce these occurrences by re-thinking your clothing choices.
On warm days, change your clothes frequently to reduce the amount of sweat, oil and dirt hanging out on the skin. Try to wear flowy clothing or natural fibers (think linens and light cotton) instead of tighter, poly blends. If working out, invest in sweat-wicking activewear that keeps you cool and doesn't absorb perspiration. And don’t spend too much time in your workout clothes once your exercise is done. Shower off and change into something fresh and light.
Summer Vow #3: Exfoliate The Face And body
Your face is also a magnet for the gross stuff but you can achieve that fresh-faced glow by washing off the day with the Monoi Age Corrective Exfoliating Cleanser. It’s a gentle, multi-action exfoliating cleanser that clears away impurities, removes surface debris and smooths the look of the skin. You can also target your breakouts with our Clear Skin Willow Bark Booster-Serum and Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser to clarify the look of your complexion and leave your summer sorrows behind.
When it comes to the rest of your body, small actions can have a big impact on any “bacne” (body acne, of course), keratosis pilaris, dry spots and red patches that are much easier to ignore in winter when you’re a bit more covered up.
Keen to show off those shoulders and back this summer? Consider getting them in the best shape by booking a back facial at your local spa to exfoliate and treat the hard-to-reach areas that can easily collect sweat and bacteria, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. Goodbye summer acne!
If your skin is dull and scaly after a long winter, slough off that lackluster layer of dead skin cells to reveal smooth and glowing summer skin. According to the Cleveland Clinic, dry brushing your back, thighs, glutes, arms and legs before a shower is a great way to exfoliate, stimulate blood circulation and unclog pores to defend against the buildup of sweat and dirt. It also encourages lymphatic drainage, a gentle massage technique that stimulates the movement of lymph fluids to remove waste and toxins from the body.
Alternatively, a scrub specially formulated for full-body exfoliation is a great way to refresh the skin. Our antioxidant-rich Stone Crop Revitalizing Body Scrub and hydrating Coconut Sugar Scrub are both wonderful ways to uncover beautifully polished skin.
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Summer Vow #4: Reapply A High SPF Sunscreen
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Sunscreen is one of the most (if not the most) important steps in your skin care routine. But applying any old product isn’t always effective, so here are a couple of things to consider:
Set yourself up for success with a high SPF product – a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more is essential for skin protection against the sun. Any SPF from your makeup is a bonus but not enough on its own. If you want to avoid sun damaged skin on the face and body, apply (and reapply) sunscreen regularly. SkinCancer.org suggests using 1 oz (two tablespoons) of sunscreen on exposed body parts and reapplying every two hours depending on your activity. For the face, a pea-sized amount or ⅓ of a teaspoon is enough for your first application. If you’re dipping in and out of the pool or lake with water-resistant sunscreen, you still need to note the reapplication times on the instructions. The Lilikoi Mineral Defense Sport Sunscreen SPF 30 is a great non-greasy, water-resistant option.
Keep in mind, there is still potential for sun damage while sitting indoors. UV rays can penetrate windows even when you’re relaxing inside with the air conditioner or driving on a sunny day – which is why keeping the promise to yourself to make SPF a daily habit is so important.
Summer Vow #5: Avoid Using Expired Sunscreen
We know your intentions were good when you purchased that huge tube of sunscreen five years ago but it’s time to let it go. According to the Mayo Clinic, sunscreens sold in the US are required to remain at their original strength for three years. Anything close to the expiry date should be replaced. If the timeline of the product is shorter than that three-year window, an expiration date should be printed on the product. However, if the consistency is off, the smell is strange or the color has shifted, there’s a good chance your SPF product is not as effective as it should be, even before its expiration date. When in doubt, throw it out. It’s not worth the risk.
Summer Vow #6: Establish A Nighttime Skin Care Routine
Sun exposure, extreme heat, smog and salt water are just a few of the environmental factors that ravage our skin during summer. A good cleanse at the end of the day is always a must. Our Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser is perfect for smoothing texture without overstripping skin’s natural oils. Follow that with a swipe of the Pineapple Refining Tonique and then smooth on the Arctic Berry Peptide Radiance Cream (bonus points if you add the Superfood Booster-Powder). This combo will conquer dullness and dehydration with two illuminating formulas.
And for an extra dose of vitamins on the rare summer nights at home, spend 5-10 minutes in the Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Masque before applying your overnight moisturizer and wake up with skin that looks bright, firm and plumped.
Summer Vow #7: Prioritize Sleep
Summer days can be exhausting – in the best possible way. Early morning hikes, long road trips and late summer nights take their toll in the form of dark circles and shorter sleep cycles.
Sleep is important for your skin’s health in general – the concept of ‘beauty sleep’ is a real thing. According to Healthline.com, poor sleep can result in skin that ages faster and has less time to repair itself from environmental stressors. Snoozing at least eight hours per night will go a long way to eliminate those raccoon eyes that may have plagued you in the past, not to mention keeping your big sun energy up for all your future summer activities.
Need help committing to your new summer skin care vows? Visit an Eminence Spa Partner to get you prepped for a summer full of (safe) fun in the sun.
This article was originally published in June 2022.
