With the month of April stepping in, the balmy summers are now here to stay for a few months. With it comes our long list of summery activities planned at the beaches or serene picnic spots! While all of this sounds super exciting, summers are also bringing with itthe blazing sun and the scorching heatand one can’t help but dread what the summers have instore for their skin! With the strong UV rays attacking and rapidly dehydrating us, it is necessary to take required precautions to keep your skin young and glowing!
Worry not because we are here with some super easy to follow skin care preparation that will keep you ready to help you conquer this coming summer!
1. Start with the good old Sunscreen!Protect your skin from the harmful UV radiations which are maximum during the summers. Even if you are staying in shade or sun there is a good chance of your skin getting burnt or sun causing inflammation and damage to your cells. So, applying a layer of sunscreen with SPF is a great way to go! You can go for the lightweight sunscreens that you can barely feel on your skin. These will still protect you the same way as any other heavy sunscreen does. Apply it 10-20 minutes (as instructed) before stepping out.
2. Find a protective serum for you skin type and make it a part of your daily schedule. Check for serums with vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) and antioxidant properties that will help repair the damage caused by the sun.
3. Keep your body healthy and happy! Your diet and sleep schedule are a must to be taken care of when you want a healthy and happy skin and body. A balanced diet with tons of fresh fruits and vegetables along with a good 7 hours of sleep nourishes and reboots your body and makes you and your skin look healthier, happier and younger!
4. Hydrate! It cannot be stressed enough about how important it is to keep your body and cells hydrated regularly, throughout the day. It keeps your cells active and metabolism fast. With the scorching heat hitting you, the water is lost through your body faster in summers in the form of sweat than any other weather. So drink tons of water and fluids throughout the day to maintain various functioning of your body at peak.
5. Along with drinking water, you could also invest in a great hydration mask! The most direct and refreshing way to hydrate your skin is to come back after a long day and gift your skin a hydrating mask. You can choose the mask on the basis of your skin type.
6. Antioxidant capsules! Excessive exposure to sun can cause free radical production in your body that can, if not taken care of, cause skin damage, long term illness or even cancer. Antioxidant capsules help by reducing inflammation and allows skin to repair itself and correct visible damage. Some antioxidants, like vitamin C, can also stimulate collagen production, which is vital for youthful skin. These capsules are nutritional supplement with antioxidant properties that you can include as a part of your self-care regime.
7. Last but not the least, keep an exfoliant handy at home. Post the winters, it is necessary to scrub off the dull and dead skin cells and make your face ready for the summer. Apart from this, during summer, the use of make up along with sweat can clog your skin pores and make it difficult for your skin to breathe. So exfoliating your face once or twice a week can be the perfect gift for your skin this summer.
Follow these basic routines daily and this summer invest in yourself, your health and your skin!
The writer is a celebrity cosmetic dermatologist as well as founder of SkinQ & Kosmoderma Clinics.