Top 7 Skin Care Tips to Look Flawless on the Beach this Summer

Time goes by so fast; it seems like yesterday we were getting ready to go and have fun for New Year’s Eve, but it was months ago. Winter seemed endless, but it is over. Spring is here, which only means it is just a matter of time it will also flow by so fast and you will find yourself on the beach, relaxing on a hot summer’s day.

Here is the deal; everyone wants to look his or her best on the beach. This does not apply only to the waist size or whether your bikini suits you perfectly, you want your skin to look flawless and it is understandable. To make sure you look flawless this summer, especially on the beach, this post features seven amazing tips you must follow.

#1 Protect yourself from UV rays

You already know exposure to UV rays is the most common factor in skin cancer. According to the CDC, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US. In 2013 (the most recent year numbers are available), 71,493 people in the United States were diagnosed with skin melanoma. The very first and most important thing to do for flawless summer skin is to protect yourself from UV rays.

Sun protection comes in different forms such as:

• Avoiding going outside (or spending too much time) when sun’s UV rays are at their peak, from 10 am to 2-3pm
• Applying a sunscreen even when you are not going to the beach just yet. This is where most people make mistakes; they apply sunscreen when they hit the beach. UV rays do not function like that. Apply your sunscreen 15-20 minutes before you go out, regardless of where you’re heading
• Buy lip balms with SPF to protect your lips
• Wear clothes with ultraviolet protection factor (UPF)
• Wear sunglasses; they’re stylish and practical

#2 Moisturize

You may be on your summer holiday, but your skin care routine should have zero days off. Besides a gentle cleanser, make sure you do not leave your moisturizer for both face and body. It is easy to assume that summer days do not require moisturizer, but that is a mistake. Summer sun can damage and dehydrate your skin thus making it dull, rough to the touch, without the sign of nourishment. However, bear in mind that during summer days you should opt for water-based moisturizer. Oil-based products could clog your pores and lead to breakouts.

#3 Stay hydrated

High temperatures and spending more time outdoors can damage your skin, as mentioned, but they can also lead to internal dehydration. As a result, you may experience a headache and dizzy spells. To prevent this, it is strongly advised to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water throughout the day. Also, water flushes toxins from your body, thus preventing various diseases. Always bear in mind that everything that occurs in your body also takes its toll on your skin.

Another reason to drink more water this summer (and in general) is that higher water input has a positive impact on skin physiology through hydration and biochemical behavior, according to a study published in the Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology. This study only confirmed what dermatologists and scientists already speculated – that staying hydrated throughout the day has favorable effects on skin health.

#4 Don’t forget your feet

Roman sandals, “regular” sandals, flip flops, the list of summer footwear goes on and on. That is why it is such a shame when you cannot find useful tips and tricks for the prettiest feet for summer to ensure the delicate skin on your feet will look flawless too.

Let us change that with some practical things you can do for super smooth and lovely feet:

• Avoid cutting down the sides of the nails to avoid ingrown nail problem
• Soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes and take dry skin off with pumice stone or foot file, apply moisturizer
• Moisturize your feet daily
• Use a foot scrub
• Apply sunscreen on your feet too

#5 Protect your hair and scalp before and after sun exposure

It is time to make some changes this summer! Make sure you protect your hair before and after sun exposure. Just like the face and body, the sun can damage your hair and scalp. As a result, hair looks dry, lifeless, discolored, and so on. You will have all-around protection with this effective hair care routine:

• Avoid too much coloring and other chemical hair treatments to prevent hair and scalp dryness
• Don’t wash your hair every day
• Make a rinse-out conditioner your best friend, even better if it comes with SPF which will protect your scalp and hair too
• NEVER shampoo your hair before going swimming
• Avoid heat-treating your hair during hot summer days
• Opt for products with colored hair to treat the color and prevent it from fading
• To treat your hair after sun exposure, apply a leave-in conditioner to dry and frizzy areas, wrap a towel or a plastic cover and go to bed
• Use scarf or hat to cover your head while out
• Put your hair up in loose and comfortable styles
• Another useful way to treat hair after sun exposure is with hot oil treatment. You can use avocado, coconut, or olive oil and apply it after shampooing from ends to roots. Rinse and condition as usual. This will moisturize your hair without making it greasy
• Use wide-toothed comb instead of a brush

#6 Soothe skin after sun exposure

Spending all day at the beach sunbathing, swimming, doing nothing, and having the best time of your life can be too hard on your skin. Sometimes you forget to reapply your sunscreen and already feel uncomfortable consequences. It is needless to mention that redness is the last thing you want to see on your skin. The damage is done, and while you cannot undo it, there are many things you can do to reduce inflammation, decrease discomfort, and speed up skin recovery:

• Apply cooling balms on over-exposed skin, particularly on reddish areas
• Add one cup of apple cider vinegar to a bath to promote healing
• Soak in an oatmeal bath
• Use lotions that contain aloe vera
• Apply a cool compress to sunburned areas
• Apply cool (not cold) milk or yogurt on sunburned area
• Chill cucumbers and mash them in a blender to make a paste that you’ll apply on affected areas

#7 Forget About Harsh Exfoliants

While exfoliation is a standard part of skin care regimen, some exfoliants are too harsh for summer skin prone to sun exposure and damage. To remove dead skin cells and impurities that cleanser cannot reach, you should opt for gentle cleansers with natural ingredients. Plus, you can find hundreds of recipes to make exfoliants with ingredients you already have in the kitchen. It is also useful to bear in mind that you do not need to exfoliate too frequently during summer.

Conclusion

Flawless beach skin is an achievable goal that you can easily conquer with tips from this article. Remember, routine and products you use are still important, and you should never neglect your feet and hair.

References

• https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/statistics/
• https://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/beauty-skin-care/10-skincare-tips-to-follow-before-hitting-the-beach.html
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4529263/
• http://theconversation.com/are-your-beach-feet-ready-42982

Author Bio:

Brian Adam

I am a Health Writer, Researcher, and Advisor with a passion for Men’s Health and Wellness, places a strong emphasis on Diet as well, believing that the Combination of Exercise, a Healthy Diet, and a Positive Mindset is the best way to achieve one’s Full Potential. I write on most of the topics related to Healthcare, Men’s Health, Women’s Health, etc. Follow me on Twitter, and Google+