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.
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.
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:
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).
It can also help to think beyond a single sunscreen product so protection is easier to maintain throughout the day. Lip balm or lip color with SPF can protect an often-missed area, fast-absorbing SPF serums can layer easily under moisturizer and makeup, and mineral makeup can make touch-ups more convenient when you need to reapply.
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.
Along with berries and dark leafy vegetables, citrus fruits and melons can add even more phytonutrients and antioxidants to your summer routine.
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:
There is no such thing as 100% effective sun protection, whether because sunscreen expires, coverage is uneven or reapplication gets skipped. That is why topical antioxidants are such a valuable part of summer anti-aging care: they help neutralize free radicals that contribute to the breakdown of collagen and elastin, the structural components that keep skin looking firm and smooth.
Warm weather can leave more oil, sweat, sunscreen residue and environmental debris sitting on your skin, and that buildup can contribute to a dull look and clogged pores. In addition to cleansing twice daily, make exfoliation a weekly habit to help keep skin smoother and clearer through the summer months.
Because hot water can increase surface-level evaporation and leave skin drier, lukewarm or cool water is a better choice for your shower and for your morning and evening facial rinse.
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."