Summertime, and the livin’ is easy…ahhh…I just love summer. Don’t you? The days are sunny, the weather is warm and there is hardly any reason to stay cooped up indoors. What’s not to love? Oh. Right. Extreme temperatures. OK, I’ll admit that while summer is hands-down my favorite time of the year, the things that make it so wonderful (sun and warmth) can sometimes be a little too much to bare. From sunburns to heat exhaustion, summer can really take a toll on you if you aren’t careful. Speaking of sunburns, I think today is a good day to talk about the do’s & don’ts of summer skin. After all, ’tis the season of half-nakedness!
DO: Drink lots of H2O. Obviously. You already know how important it is to drink water on a daily basis – 64 ounces to be exact! – and when the temperatures begin to rise, the sun is blazing and you’re spending lots of time outdoors, you have an even bigger reason to get your daily dose of H20. So do your skin a favor and start the hydration process from the inside.
DON’T: Drink caffeine of alcohol. OK. I don’t expect you to drop either cold turkey, but moderation is key. Caffeinated drinks, like coffee and soda, as well as alcoholic beverages, can speed up the dehydration process. And if you’re dehydrated, that means your skin is too. So think twice before you head for another cuppa joe or order that third fruity cocktail while you’re on vacation this summer.
DO: Lather up with SPF. This should go without saying but I, too, have forgotten – on occasion – the importance of sunscreen. The best way to avoid sunburn or skin damage caused by UV rays is to stay out of the sun entirely but, let’s be realistic, it ain’t happening. So before you head out into the summer sun, no matter if it’s only for a short period of time, lather up with a good dose of sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher.
DON’T: Forget your face! The skin on your face and lips is much more delicate than the rest of your body, so keeping your mug protected is essential. I’m hooked on Aveeno’s Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 because it triples as moisturizer + foundation + sunscreen! Also, be sure to keep your lips hydrated and protected with a shea butter or beeswax based SPF lip balm (avoid ones with menthol or camphor). Lastly, go the extra step by putting on a wide-brimmed hat and larger-than-life shades (functional and stylish!).
DO: Fake tan! As much as it pains me to admit to this (because I’d much rather lay out like a lizard under the sun), sunbathing is a major faux pas if you want to keep your skin healthy. You may not see it now, but years down the road you don’t want to struggle with premature wrinkles, sun spots or, even worse, skin cancer. So do you and your skin a favor and get your tan on with a self-tanner. Don’t forget to exfoliate and moisturize the night before you apply it to prevent streaking!
Image Source: flickr.com/photos/pecia/3670145202
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