Summer is here, and the temperatures and humidity are rising, which can cause problems with our skin. You can avoid annoying rashes, sunburns, and breakouts by adopting a warm-weather skincare routine and adding a few simple and natural beauty boosters to ensure healthy, glowing skin during these hot summer months.
1. Hydration
It cannot be stressed enough: drink your water! If your body isn’t hydrated from the inside, it will not be well-moisturized on the outside. Six to eight glasses of water are the recommended amount, avoid tea, coffee, alcohol, and aerated drinks; instead, opt for filtered water, natural fruit juices and coconut water.
2. Cleanse
In the summer, it’s more important than ever to wash your face twice a day—once in the morning and once in the evening. Between sunscreen, makeup and sweat, your pores can get clogged quickly. Wash your face frequently with cold water to remove the sweat and dust that tends to accumulate on the skin. Using cold milk on a cotton ball cleans and soothes with lactic acid and other remedies like a yogurt and honey mask that will clean, soothe and hydrate parched skin.
3. Exfoliate
Summer skin needs to be exfoliated weekly to keep it glowing with vitality. A thick paste made of mashed banana (bananas contain potassium and vitamins E and C that promote clear, glowing skin), milk and oatmeal, gently rubbed on the face and neck, is a replenishing recipe for glowing skin.
4. Protect
It is vital to protect our skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. So, don’t forget to apply sunscreen, at least 30 SPF, before you step out in the sun and reapply as necessary. Overexposure to the sun is a leading cause of wrinkles, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the outdoors. Rather than spending your summer stuck inside, use these sun care tips:
- Apply sunscreen before you go outside, so it has time to set
- Use a sunscreen that helps with other issues, like inflammation
- Don’t substitute makeup for sunscreen, even if it has an SPF
- Don’t use last year’s bottle of sunscreen, especially if it’s expired
5. Nutrition
Eat light meals, green vegetables, and fruits high in water content, like watermelons and melons. Avoiding alcohol, oily, spicy food, and salty, fried snacks are always good.
6. Clothing
Tight, heavy clothes can trap heat, causing rashes, itchiness, and buildup of sweat and oil. Keep a wardrobe of clothes made of materials like cotton, and linen for those days when you know you’re going to be in the heat.
7. Après Sun
Apply buttermilk after sun exposure to relieve burning skin and will lighten the tan as curd has natural bleaching properties. Aloe vera is also great for treating sunburns due to its soothing and moisturizing, and cooling properties. This makes it an ideal and inexpensive choice for soothing the pain of minor sunburns at home. Sunburned skin loses moisture, and applying aloe may help retain skin moisture due to a substance called mucopolysaccharides found in the plant.
8. Healthy Diet
Next on the list of summer tips for health list is following a balanced diet of smaller, lighter meals. Maintaining a proper diet and eating seasonal fruits and vegetables is a must. Consuming cooling and light fiber-rich foods (fresh fruits, vegetable juices, raw, vital salads, and lots of water) will nourish your body for outdoor activities. Include some protein with one or two meals in your diet and avoid greasy and junk food.
9. Alcohol Intake
When hot weather is accompanied by too much alcohol, your body temperature rises faster than if you weren’t drinking. You start to sweat more – perspiration helps cool the body. Then, alcohol further dehydrates you because it causes you to urinate and sweat more than usual. One of the critical summer health tips is avoiding heavy drinking and remembering to drink a lot of water between alcoholic beverages.
10. Skin Protection
If not correctly managed, too much sun can damage health effects. According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancers are the most common of all types of cancer, with an estimated 5.4 million skin cancers diagnosed each year in the United States. Most skin cancers are caused by repeated and unprotected skin exposure to ultraviolet rays from sunlight or sources such as tanning beds.
The best approach for protecting your skin should involve multiple measures. These include seeking shade whenever possible through shelter, wide-brimmed hats or umbrellas, wearing clothes that shield your skin, and using and reapplying sunscreen.
11. Preventing Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Stay hydrated by drinking many non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages, even if you’re not thirsty. Water is good, but sports drinks are better when engaging in vigorous activity in high temperatures.
Extra Tips to Enjoy a Healthy Summer
Here are a few extra tips to stay cool during summertime:
- Drink enough to keep your urine very pale yellow. You’re dehydrated if it’s a dark yellow or going for long periods without urinating. (Some medications and supplements can turn urine bright yellow or orange. If in doubt, ask a pharmacist or your healthcare provider about the medicines and supplements you use.)
- Don’t stay outside in high temperatures for long periods. Take breaks indoors.
- Don’t engage in vigorous activity in the hottest part of the day – from 11 am – 5 pm.
- Wear loose, lightweight clothing made of fabric that breathes and allows your sweat to evaporate.
- If you start to feel very hot or have any of the symptoms of heat exhaustion, respond immediately as described above under “heat exhaustion.”
The Perfect Recipe for an After-sun Glow
Add a teaspoon of milk to two spoons of oatmeal. Then add two tablespoons of tomato juice, some orange pulp, and a few pinches of poppy seeds. Blend the mixture so that it forms a thick density like a face-pack. Apply it all over your face and neck, leave it on till it dries, and scrub it off while rinsing. The tomato and orange extracts will brighten your skin tone, while the milk will add a glow.
