Summer is the most-awaited time of the year, probably next only to Christmas and New Year. It’s the time when families can go on week-long trips thanks to the lengthy school vacation. Even adults schedule their year around summer. Trips to other countries or outdoor outings would be booked at summer when you are almost always guaranteed a clear, sunny day to fully enjoy the outdoors.

Sunny days: the very thing summer is known and loved for,but the same thing that is a problem for many, particularly for people who are conscious about the health of their skin.

Love Summer, But Don’t Embrace The Sun

Being exposed to the summer heat for more than 10 minutes is sometimes enough to make you crave for autumn again. Climate change is real, people. Summers are now hotter than ever!

Long exposure to the summer sun can lead to many skin problems:

• Dry, rough skin
• Reduced elasticity
• Redness
• Sunburns
• Formation of melanin pigmentation (freckles)
• Faster skin ageing
• Skin sensitivity
• Rashes

You can still enjoy summer though without compromising the suppleness and overall health of your skin.

How to Keep Your Skin Soft

The following are simple yet effective ways of keeping your skin soft, moisturized, and protected throughout summer:

1. Apply sunblock before going outdoors.

   Choose SPF 20 or higher. These are more costly than sunblock lotions with lower SPF, but paying a bit more is better than contending with the aftereffects of sunburn and UV exposure. Remember, prevention is better than cure.

2. Use an umbrella whenever walking outside

   Especially when the sun is at its peak. That’s at 10:00 in the morning to around 4:00 in the afternoon.Sunblock won’t protect you from the sun’s heat. You’ll avoid dehydration and prevent your skin from getting rough and dry. If you don’t like get tanned, using an umbrella is your simplest and most effective solution.

3. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

   Use moisturizing soap for bathing and apply moisturizing lotion afterwards. You have to select the skin care products that are compatible with your skin type; otherwise, they won’t be as effective at keeping your skin hydrated. If you have oily skin, applyingmoisturizing lotion once a day will be enough.

   Here’s a tip: Apply moisturizer while you are still in the shower. Thanks to the steam in the closed room, your skin should still be moist and your pores will be open. Apply the lotion all over your body, particularly on knees, elbows, and other dry-prone areas.

4. Drink lots of water.

   You should never rely on lotions alone to keep your skin soft and moisturized. Water is also essential for retaining your skin’s elasticity. If your skin feels tight, that’s an indication that you need to drink more water not coffee, carbonated drinks or juices.

5. Snack on fruits, not on junk food.

   Fries and a cold can of coke does sound wonderful when you’re hanging out on the poolside, but they will do nothing good for your skin. The sodium in junk food and artificial sugars in softdrinks promote dryness and pimple formation. Have some watermelon, apples or avocado instead. These fruits are not only nourishing, they are also refreshing.Your tummy will be satisfied andyour skin will reap the benefits.

   

6. Scrub at least once a week.

   Removing dead skin cells will give way for younger, healthier cells, making your skin smoother and softer. But remember not to scrub too hard and/or use hot water. Doing so will chafe your skin and result in micro-wounds. Once they scab, your skin will be rough and have discolored spots.

7. Use natural masks and moisturizers.

   

   Honey and aloe vera extract in particular are very effective natural moisturizers. Apply honey or aloe vera on your face for 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly. Your skin will immediately feel softer and smoother. If you add a small amount of sugar in honey, you’ll have an instant facial scrub.

   Raw honey is available in most supermarkets. If you have a small garden plot or an empty flower pot at home, grow some aloe vera. It is a low-maintenance plant and grows quickly. Acquiring the extract is very easy, too. Simply break off a leaf and gently rub the sap directly on your skin.

   Here are other natural moisturizers you can apply topically:

   • Sliced cucumbers
   • Extra virgin coconut oil (apply sparingly)
   • Milk and honey bath
   • Potato peels
   • Pineapple slices

8. Shave properly

   Shave properly and along the direction the hair grows. This goes for both men and women. Sometimes the reason for rough legs or facial skin is poor shaving technique. Shaving against the grain can cause irritation and chicken skin. The best time to shave is after you shower, when hair follicles are soft. Make sure your razor blades are sharp so that you won’t have to make double passes. Redness and irritation tend to occur on spots that were double-passed with a razor.

9. Get a full-body massage with natural oils.

   This will not only soothe your body after hiking, swimming, cycling, camping and whatnot, but it will also moisturize your skin very effectively! Spas use special oils that relax and help detoxify the body. After 30 minutes to an hour of having oil rubbed all over your body, your skin will be perfectly soft and supple. These effects can last for more than one day, too.

By following the tips above, you can be confident that your skin remains soft, unblemished, and healthythroughout the summer!