Four Ways to Take Better Care of Your Skin This Summer
Summer is right around the corner, and it is no surprise that all the best activities take place outside. From gardening to hiking to spending a day at the beach or at the park, summer is all about having fun in the sun.
As much as we all want our summer fun to be blissfully carefree, this season also happens to be the time our skin is most susceptible to burning and damage. Spending so much time outside in the sun means we need to take extra precautions to care for and protect our skin. Not to mention, as we age, our skin already requires a lot more TLC than it once did.
So as you have fun this summer, keep these four tips in mind for the utmost skin protection and help your skin stay healthy:
1.Wear sunscreen. Even on cloudy or overcast days, your skin care regime should always include sunscreen. Be sure to choose a brand that has at least SPF 30, and cover all parts of your body that are frequently exposed to the sun (face, nose, arms, and legs). If you drive often or for long periods of time, remember to protect those hands most commonly sitting in the sun on those warm days in your car. And don’t forget to reapply often, ideally about every 90 minutes.
2.Exfoliate. Our skin sheds often, and for most people, the dead skin cells just sit on the surface making our skin look dull, dry or rough. By exfoliating once a week, you are removing these dead cells and allowing your newer, healthier skin to shine through. This becomes especially more important as we age. Be sure to choose a gentle, natural exfoliator and only exfoliate once a week to avoid drying out your skin.
3.Moisturize. The summer heat can really suck up all your body’s moisture. Make sure to moisturize every morning and night to keep your skin hydrated. Couple this with your sunscreen in the morning as part of a healthy skin routine.
4.Drink water often. Water is so important each and every day, but even more so in the summer when we may be perspiring more often. Healthy skin starts on the inside, so keep a water bottle close by at all times and make a habit of drinking it often.
As it happens, May is National Skin Cancer Awareness and Detection Month. Use this as a friendly reminder to book your dermatologist appointments and stay on top of your skin health.
If you are interested in learning more about skin care as you age, Inter Valley Health Plan offers free educational classes in your neighborhood.
ivhp.com/forhealthandliving