Summer is generally a time for lazy beach days, sun-kissed skin (without the burn) and lovely long evenings enjoying good food and wine.
Sadly, not all of those things are good for your skin. Amanda du-Pont, founder of skincare line Lelive, says that in the summer, hot temperatures, high humidity, extended sun exposure, and a change in diet could cause even normal skin to behave differently.
To make matters worse, taking a refreshing swim in the pool or just unwinding in a cool room further contributes to skin dryness.
“Caring for your skin and changing your regime as we move through the seasons should be a priority,” Du-Pont says. Du-Pont has five simple, practical, and efficient tips for maintaining flawless skin as summer progresses.
1. Cleanse
The best summer days are those that conclude with sweaty faces, tangled hair, and big smiles. Just remember to wash off the day’s adventures! In the evening, wash your face properly with a cleanser to remove all traces of SPF, sweat, and sea salt. Be thorough but gentle, especially if the heat has made your skin feel sensitive.
Tip: Since the skin produces oil and sebum throughout the day, you should wash your face in the morning and at night.
2. Moisturise
During the summer, people frequently skip this step, especially those with oily skin. After cleansing, your skin needs to be moisturised. The skin’s outer layer, which is vulnerable to damage from UV radiation, dangerous contaminants, and chemicals, is shielded by moisturiser. The ideal moisturizer is one with an SPF.
3. Use antioxidant-containing serums
Applying serum is the one step in a daily skincare regimen that should not be skipped. The best face serums target a variety of skin issues at once and offer a highly concentrated, strong dose of active ingredients to the skin. Serums have the ability to transport smaller molecules deep within the skin, where they are most effective, whether they be antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, peptides, botanical agents, or any other number of components.
4. Apply Sunscreen
Whenever you are outside in the sun, bring sunscreen. Apply a generous amount of sunscreen to your face before going outside, particularly if you are wearing short sleeves and have tied your hair up, your hands and necks. Dermatologists and other professionals cannot stress enough how crucial broad-spectrum sunscreen is. Apply sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30, paying extra attention to your hands, feet, ears, and lips.
Top Tip: Remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours.
5. Your summer wardrobe
Whether you have oily skin or dry skin in the summer, denims, lace, velvet, and polyester should all be avoided. These materials could make you feel irritated, itchy, or make you sweat more. Embrace silks, cottons, and linens instead. These materials allow your skin to breathe, as necessary.
In addition to the changes to your skincare line-up, du-Pont says that finding brands that support locally sourced ingredients with limited use of plastics will serve your skin better in the long run. “There are so many wonderful South African created products on the market boasting incredible local ingredients that do wonders for the skin.”
Bonus Tip: The ideal summer skincare regimen begins internally so be sure you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Your body stays hydrated and revitalized with water, which also helps to sustain the suppleness of your skin. People who consume a lot of water are less likely to develop scars, wrinkles, or soft lines, and they won’t age as quickly as people who consume less water.
Source: People
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