Summer's in full swing, and hopefully that means you are enjoying life pool-side, picnicking at the park, biking your favorite trails, etc. because you can do everything that defines your summer lifestyle without paying the price in wrinkles, sags and spots. That's right you can enjoy the sun and rebuff its skin-aging effects at the same time. Here's how to make summer fun and skin health a win-win.
It's All About Your Summer Attitude, so Relax!
No one ever reversed the signs of skin aging by worrying. So, the first step to make your summer lifestyle work for your anti-aging agenda is to relax. The sun is not your enemy. You actually need UV radiation to stimulate natural vitamin D production. In small doses, it also lends a golden glow to your complexion. What you need is simply to learn how to make the sun play nice with your skin.
Burn Protection
You don't have to hide away indoors to reduce sun exposure on your skin. You just need proper cover, and what makes the proper cover depends on your activities. When possible, rely on physical sun barriers:
- Large-brimmed hats
- Sunglasses
- Sleeves and pants
- Natural shade
When activities or temperatures make clothing cover impractical, then apply broad spectrum sun protection. For proper coverage, you need to make sure to use enough sunscreen and apply regularly. Read the directions on the bottle you might be using more than you think (about a golf ball-sized dollop).
Take a Bite out of Summer
You can enhance your burn protection by eating natural sun protection. Dark fruits and vegetables contain high concentrations of anthocyanins (pigments and flavonoids) that act as plants' sun protection. When you eat foods high in anthocyanins, you can boost your skin's natural sun protection ability too. Loads of fruits and vegetables are also high in antioxidants, the compounds that neutralize free radicals. The more antioxidants you have in your system, the more UV-induced free radicals your body can prevent from damaging skin tissues (and the lines, wrinkles and sags that result).Summer is the perfect time to taste, enjoy and experiment with the flavors, aromas and textures of a wide variety of fresh produce.
Nighttime Nourishment
There will be times you forget to reapply sunscreen, when you opt for potato chips instead of carrots and cherry tomatoes. These anti-aging mishaps do not have to wreck your progress toward younger-looking skin if you make sure to always give your skin a direct daily dose of the vitamins, nutrients and building blocks it needs for optimal health. At the end of every day, make sure to remove the residue of the day's adventures with a gentle soap-free cleanser. Then, deliver anti-aging boosters right to your skin:
Hale Cosmeceuticals formulates an array of products to replenish and rejuvenate your skin. Find which products are best suited for your skin type and skin health goals and contact us to order."
