Getting tanned is inevitable in the summer. Even if you’re not spending every day sunning at the beach, the heat and glare of the sun combined will still have an effect on your skin.

Fortunately, it’s not impossible to maintain your fair skin during summer. Dare we say you can even achieve lighter skin if you are truly dedicated! If having fair skin runs in your family, it will be easier for you to get whiter. If you don’t have those genes, don’t fret. It’s still possible to make your skin whiter.

Below are the steps to get fair skin in the summer:

1. Protect your skin from getting exposed to the sun. This means not going outside if it’s not necessary, especially between the hours of 10:00AM and 3:00PM. If you do have to step outside, use an umbrella or wear a cap or hat. Do these even if it’s a cloudy day. Even if it’s not bright and sunny, you can still get tanned if you stay out long enough.
2. Apply sunscreen on your arms and legs every day. Considering the state of the weather today, don’t choose sunscreen with an SPF lower than 20. It may be more expensive, but the higher the SPF is the better.
3. Also apply sunscreen on your face. You can use the standard body lotion or facial cream with sunblock. Ladies, remember to apply it on your face and neck before putting on any makeup.
4. Avoid using lotion or body spray with glitter. While the shimmer does look pretty and is very appropriate for summer, metallic glitter can promote skin darkening. The glitter will reflect sunlight; and being stuck directly on your skin, the effects of the reflected rays will be amplified.
5. Exfoliate daily. Removing dead skin cells will make way for younger, fairer skin. Pour a small quantity of your body wash or rub bath soap on a wet loofah or towel, and squeeze until bubbly. Gently rub all over your body to remove the dead skin cells. If you’re going to use an exfoliating scrub, do it twice a week.
6. Apply moisturizing lotion every day, and whenever you need.
7. Drink lots of water and stay hydrated. Your number one concern during summer is fighting off heat. When the heat index reaches 38 degrees Celsius or almost 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you can easily get dehydrated. Dehydration will have very obvious effects on your skin: dullness, dryness, and increased probability of flaking and sunburn.
8. 

   fresh fruit juice

   Drink fresh fruit juice instead of carbonated drinks.The latter will do nothing to improve your complexion, while fruit juices contain vitamins C, A, and anti-oxidants that nourish the skin and slows cellular ageing.Skin whitening shouldn’t just happen on the surface. It should also be supported in the cellular level.Take your pick:

• Orange
• Mango
• Apple
• Lemon and other citrus fruits
• Grape
• Papaya
• Watermelon
• Tomato
• Cucumber

9. What’s great about the fruits listed above is they are also effective skin whiteners when applied topically. You can blend, mash or peel them and apply on your body and face. Massage them directly on your skin so that it can absorb the antioxidants and whitening enzymes. They also help hydrate the skin, giving it a natural, healthy glow.You can add milk, honey, sugar, salt, turmeric powder and yogurt to form a paste-like consistency.

Here are some recipes you can use:

• 1 pinch turmeric powder + 2 tablespoons orange juice or lime juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice + 1 teaspoon honey + 1 tablespoon sugar or powdered milk
• Mashed ripe papaya + lemon juice
• Grated cucumber + honey
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice + 1 teaspoon milk powder + 1 teaspoon almond oil (you may also massage lemon juice directly on your skin, but no more than 10 minutes)
• Blend 2 teaspoons lemon juice + 2 tomatoes
• 1 cup rice powder + ½ cup water or milk

10. Grow aloe vera on your backyard or plant one in a pot. Its extract is proven to be effective at reducing skin pigmentation and discoloration. It hydrates and nourishes the skin, giving it a younger glow.
11. Whitening soaps and lotions are also very effective. The main ingredients for most whitening products are extracts of the same list of fruits above. Kojic acid, placenta extract, glutathione and hydroquinone are also popular whitening agents. Many people can attest to the effectiveness of soaps and lotions that have these as their main ingredients.
12. Avoid outdoor activities that will require you to stay directly under the sun for more than 10 minutes straight. If you are at the beach, stay under a beach umbrella or any shaded spot. Actually, consider swimming in an indoor pool instead of going the beach. It may not be as fun, but your goal is to maintain your fair skin, after all.
13. If you can’t avoid being outdoors for a long time, and if carrying an umbrella is not an option, wear arm protectors and leggings instead. Choose the ones made with light, breathable material so that you won’t feel too warm.

Wanting to have fair skin during summer is nothing to be ashamed of. It doesn’t mean that you don’t like to have fun. It just shows that you are more concerned about protect your skin and keep it healthy. Considering that the ozone layer is no longer as it once was, staying out in the sun increases your risk of getting UV radiation and skin cancer. It’s definitely better to be whiter and healthier in this case.