The summer top three skin care tips are protect, cleanse and moisturize.
- Protect – As often as needed
The best sun protection is a physical block. This means that it will physically block the sun rays not filter it or disperse it through the skin. The top 3 physical blockers are hat, shade and a sunscreen with Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. The sunscreens with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide only need to be applied once, since they do not deteriorate or penetrate the skin during usage and they are water proof. Beware that a white tint will be added to your skin
2. Cleanse – At Least once per day
The use of sunscreen will exacerbate any skin conditions that you already have like dryness, oiliness or sensitivity. Removing the sunblock once you are done with the fun in the sun is imperative. If you are using a cleanser that cleans your skin without making it overly dry, use it during the summer. If your present cleanser is not removing your sunscreen well or is making your skin dry; or you don’t have a cleanser, take the time to purchase a face wash for the summer. Whatever face wash method you use dedicate at least 30 seconds to it. Do not exfoliate or scrub your skin during the summer months.
Natural Oils – All skin types
If you prefer the natural and simple ingredients route choose from organic, natural, cold-pressed vegetable, seed, or nut oils, as these have nutrients, vitamins, and fatty acids. These can be formulated for you or you can formulate them yourself. Oils are great cleansers, even for oily skin. The summer time is a great opportunity to try this out, since the skin will be naturally more dry and in need of more cleansing because of the usage of sunscreen.
Below are simple instructions of how to cleanse with oils:
With a quarter size oil in your palm, spread it all over the face, including eyes, eyelids and lips in a circular motion. Dedicate at least 30 seconds to this.
- Oily skin:Try a blend of 30% castor oil to 70% sunflower seed oil.
- Balanced Skin:Try a blend of 20% castor oil to 80% sunflower seed oil.
- Dry Skin:Try a blend of 10% castor oil to 90% sunflower seed oil.
Hold a warm washcloth to cover your face. Allow it to stay until it cools. You will feel your pores softening and releasing the impurities. Wipe the oil gently away and rinse the washcloth well in hot, running water. Hold the washcloth to your face again, allowing it to cool. Wipe gently, rinse well, and repeat two or three more times. Avoid any temptation to scrub, as you’ll find it’s completely unnecessary and your skin will be soft, smooth, and free of flakes without the additional manual exfoliation and irritation that will result. Sunscreen, dead skin cells, and bacteria will be gently swept away.
Don’t be surprised if you find you’ve unblocked an oil flow for the first few days. The new oil coming from your skin is actually a good sign and will balance out very shortly.
Fruit Enzyme – Dry, combination, normal and oily skin
WARNING – Fruit enzymes are fruit acids and are acidic and caustic. That said, they are excellent for removing oils from skin and unclogging the pores. Choose a cleanser with a low percentage of fruit enzyme, 2% or lower. If you have sensitive skin this ingredient is not recommended during the summer. If you have a higher percentage fruit acid cleanser, consult your skin care professional before using it in the summer. If your skin becomes dry, calibrate by using the fruit acid cleanser in conjunction with another cleanser and switch as often as needed. If the dryness continues, put the fruit acid cleanser away and use it again after the summer.
Honey Cleanser – All skin types
Honey is gentler than soap and moisturizes the skin. Honey will absorb the oils on the skin and delivers antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. The longer you leave the cleanser on the skin the more oils it will absorb. So, if you have oily skin or for the day that you are removing your sunscreen, indulge in a longer face washing. For people with dry skin, usually 30 seconds is enough for the face washing.
All of these cleansers and cleaning procedures can be done on the neck, decollete, and arms.
- Moisturize
Look for moisturizer with lipids, oils that are from cold-pressed vegetables, seed, nuts, Vitamin E and phytosterols from plants. Or better yet, the same lipids that compose the skin like squalene, ceramides, phytosphingosine, and cholesterol. The benefits of these lipids are that they mimic the oils in the skin or are found in the skin, in turn the skin will absorb it and is used not only for hydration but for many other skin functions and health. Make sure to check the ingredient list on the package to find these ingredients on the top of the list or in most quantity compared to other ingredients.
- Only moisturize after you remove all sunscreen.
- Always moisturize your lips, neck and eye lids.
- Moisturize even if you have oily skin and/or acne.
Last thoughts…
Do not get any chemical peels or other exfoliating treatments during the summer, unless you are under the care of a skin care professional.
Summer time facials should be hydrating and with antioxidant topical ingredients.
Do not treat hyperpigmentation or sun spots in the summer.
Drink water and eat raw! Eat raw vegetables, sprouts, leaves, and fruits as often as you can. Drink atleast one gallon of water per day while playing in the sun. Water is the zero calorie choice, but other drinks that are mostly water will also supplement your water intake. Choose low sugar and low caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea, fruit juice, broth, vegetable juice, sports drinks, coconut water, and low fat milk.
After the summer get a facial. The damaging effects of the sun can be reversed with a facial like, sun spots, dehydration, clogged pores, premature aging.
