Changing your skincare routine for hot weather

One of the best things you can do is change your skincare routine from Winter to Summer products. Winter we use heavy moisturizers and cream/oil cleansers. You exfoliate more in the drier winter months as well. In the summer months your skin is more sensitive and exfoliation is still required but with a product that is less harsh. During summer we should switch to lighter cleansers that can still clean off bacteria and pollution but in a gel form with less added heavy moisturizers. We sweat more in the summer so our skin does become clogged and congested faster and we damage our skin more from sun exposure. Moisturizing is still important but use serums instead of creams and treatment oils. In the winter you may layer serums, oils and moisturizers before you go to bed. Summer weather you can cut out the additional steps, so make sure you use the best since we are cutting out steps. Repairing your skin daily is also key as well to limit the signs of aging and adding a vitamin C treatment to your nightly serum is key to skins repair process. Protecting your skin with Sunscreen is your greatest defense against aging and preventing skin cancer as well and we will get into to that in more detail below.

The Short:

• Switch from heavy Moisturizers to Serums

• Switch from cream or oil cleansers to gels and cleansing waters

• A Witch hazel toner is your friend year around but use one with Cucumber, Rose and Chamomile added to moisturize. While the witch hazel lifts off left over makeup and dirt, bacteria left over from cleansing.

• Exfoliate weekly instead of every other day.

• Use nightly Vitamin C treatments that help repair from sun damage

• Switch from heavy makeup to a minimal make up routine. Heavy make up and summer sweating just make any skin issue worse so ease up on the contour.

• Use a sunscreen with a higher SPF then usual daily and reapply as needed

Sunscreen Types

Physical vs. Chemical Sunscreen-

Physical sunscreens are made up of naturally occurring minerals like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide that deflect and scatter UV rays from the skin. They protect against both UVA and UVB rays. People prefer these because they are natural and don’t irritate skin. Some people don’t like the white residue left over from them but if you find one with added pigment then this is not an issue. Also I have found if you rub them in enough they don’t leave mush residue. Also anyone with acne or any other skin issue Physical/Mineral dont clog pores. Also these sunscreens are reef safe and won’t pollute the oceans and lakes. These sunscreens are preferred for people that have autoimmune disease.

Chemical sunscreens are made from compounds that are carbon based that create chemical reactions in the skin. The issue with these is most people are allergic to them especially Oxybenzone that is linked to hormone disruption and cell damage. They are not reef safe and toxic to the environment hence, Hawaii band all chemical sunscreens from the islands and Australia. Also the downside is you have to re apply much more than Mineral and are not as water proof and clog pores. Also if you have an autoimmune disease you should never use these types of products.

Powdered Sunscreen- I am a big fan of powdered sunscreens except where I currently live which is high desert. Dry areas you want to use moisturizing sunscreens, but if you are in humid ares powdered sunscreens are awesome to use and easy to reapply and keep your face nice and matt.

Should I wear sunscreen when its overcast or cloudy? Absolutely! You can get more damage on over cast days. The UV rays are more intense from the reflection off of the clouds just like snow.

The Short:

• Dont forget your lips. Look up skin cancer on the lips in a Google search HORRIFYING!

• Reapply every two hours for fun in the Sun

• Wear sunscreen on cloudy days to!

• Physical Sunscreens are better for the environment and better for your skin and organs

• Buy a sunscreen with a pigment to take a step out of your morning routine

• If you live in Humid climates invest in a powdered Sunscreen

• Everyone should wear sunscreen even people with darker skin tones

• See your Dermatologist once a year to get a full body check to catch any abnormalities from the sun.

Sunburn Advice

Take an anti-inflammatory- Your body is going to be inflamed from the burn and probably in pain. Taking a anti-inflammatory will help with the swelling and the inflammation. I always recommend taking Turmeric over an over the counter pain reliever. You can find Tumeric pain relievers from Nutrition stores to Drug stores. They are easier on your stomach and work quite well. Here is a link to one I take regularly.

Take some Lysine- Lysine is a building block of protein as a essential amnio acid. Lysine can help promote wound healing by helping create collagen.

Cool bath with a cup of ground oats- Take your oatmeal in the pantry and put it in a blender, food processor, coffee grinder until it turns into a fine powder. Oatmeal baths have some scientific baking that they help with Sunburns. Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant and skin repairing properties.

Use Hydrocortisone Cream- this could be a life saver for people with a itchy burn. You don’t need much to get some relief. Make sure you contact your Doctor and get a prescription so you get the proper dosage.

Moisturize- Moisturize with a fragrance free moisturizer for sensitive skin as much as you can possibly can and do not peel your skin. Let it naturally sloth off by itself. Cetaphil is my favorite cream for sunburns. It works great and keeps the skin moist so it can heal.

Sunscreen- Use a Mineral(Physical) SpF 50 sunscreen made for sensitive skin on your skin after your burns have healed.

Drink lots of Water- Keeping hydrated is the number one thing you can do to help heal your body from the burn.

Keep the burn covered with loose clothing- Keep your burn skin covered with loose clothing until you are completely healed.

Disclaimer: Always see a Doctor for Sunburns that are painful, Scab, Ooze, Experience Light Headedness, and are very Red and look or feel different from a normal sunburn.

Hair & Scalp Care

Wash your hair more often in Summer- you should wash your hair after a day in the water to get rid of left over chlorine or salt water. Use extra conditioner and try a leave in conditioner as well.

Use hair care products with UV filters- you can do a quick search and find many of these spray in products that can save your hair and scalp.

Get a trim- Get rid of split ends. This keeps your hair healthy and shorter hair is easier to take care of durning a summer of water sports.

Wear a hat- The easiest way to protect your scalp from sun burn is to wear a hat! People do get skin cancer on there scalp and wearing a hat regular in the sun could help with this occurring.

Rinse your hair after you get out of the pool and beach- chlorine strips you hair and salt water does the same but not as serve as chlorine. Also chlorine can mess a very expense dye job as well. Always rinse your hair right after splashing around. Your hair will thank you and won’t be a brittle and damaged through the summer.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week and takes care of their skin this summer. Happy Wellness Wednesday!

All the best,

Shara

Sources: https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/summer-hair-care, https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g32128628/best-powder-sunscreens/, https://www.byrdie.com/natural-sunscreen-chemical-sunscreen, https://www.bustle.com/articles/167510-should-you-exfoliate-in-the-summer-heres-what-a-dermatologist-has-to-say, https://www.allure.com/story/summer-skin-care-tips-from-dermatologists, https://www.thehealthy.com/beauty/face-body-care/summer-skin-care/, https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/summer-skin-care, https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/beauty/skincare/a21964037/summer-skin-tips-from-a-dermatologist/, https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/sunscreen-guide, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/best-sunscreen/art-20045110, https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/,