Summer takes a toll on your skin every year. As if scorching heat is not enough to attack your skin during this season, pollution & humidity also gang up with this villain in taking your natural glow away. Furthermore, you may also have to deal with some infections due to these reasons. To avoid all such problems and to keep your skin fresh and glowing, take these simple skin care steps:-
10 am to 4 pm is the time when sun is at its peak and during this period you are at the risk of getting sunburns. Your best bet to avoid the harsh effects of the scorching sunlight is to not go outside. But if you have to go outdoors due to unavoidable reasons then use an umbrella, wear clothing that covers your arms and legs, wear sunglasses, apply sunscreen (with high spf) and try to move/stay in the shade as much as possible.
Your body tends to sweat a lot during summer. That makes it a must for you to stay hydrated, so make sure you drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water every day. Drinking lots of water will keep your skin soft and moisturized. Having lime water or fresh juice every day is also recommended. Eating plenty of juicy fruits during summer also keeps your skin healthy.
In India, different types of beverages are in high demand during the summer season, especially among youngsters who want a refreshing and cool break from the heat. These aerated drinks contain lots of sugar which is not good for your health. Thus, you should drink fresh juices or coconut water instead of having soft drinks. Moreover, make sure to minimize the intake of caffeine and alcohol as they harm the water content of your body.
Sunscreen is your skin’s shield against the sun. Purchase a sunscreen that is a combination of sunscreen and moisturizer. Your sunscreen must offer UVA as well as UVB protection and must come in SPF 30 or higher.
Useful Tip: Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before stepping out and reapply after every 2 hours.
You should wash your face at least twice a day to remove dirt and sweat– once in the morning and then in the evening. Washing your face with face wash containing mild AH or BH acids or papaya-based products is great for the skin.
Exfoliating is a pre-requisite to fresh looking skin as it removes dead cells and promotes blood circulation. Buy a good body scrub from the market or make your own homemade body scrub and gently exfoliate your skin about twice a week.
Most of us believe in moisturizing our skin only during winter or when it feels dry but moisturization of skin is equally important during summer as well. Hence, invest your money wisely in buying a body lotion that is light and summery, and doesn’t feel greasy or heavy on the skin.
Special Precaution: If you see any serious changes in your skin or have bad sunburns, visit a dermatologist immediately!