Difference between revisions of "Look After Your Skin in Summer"

# Understand how the summer sun impacts your skin. It's important to know how the sun's rays impact your skin, especially when you're seeking to cut through the hype on cosmetic labels. The following basics should assist your understanding:<ref name="rf1">Marie Claire, ''Health and Beauty'', p. 144, (1997), ISBN 0-86411-682-9</ref>

#*[[Understand the Effects of Different UV Rays|Ultraviolet B]] (UVB): This wavelength penetrates the skin's upper layer, the epidermis. These rays cause sunburn, allergic reactions and skin cancers. After six times of being burned, the skin has double the risk of developing a fatal [[Check for Skin Cancer|melanoma]].<ref name="rf1" />

# Wear [[Choose Sunscreen|sunscreen]] but only after assessing the need and doing your own research. Not all sunscreens are made alike – some provide a physical barrier (minerals) while others provide a chemical barrier that absorbs ultraviolet rays. SPF stands for "sun protection factor" and indicates the length of time you can stay in the sun; you calculate the [[Understand Your Sunscreen Label|SPF]] by the number of minutes you can stay in the sun without burning normally.<ref name="rf1" /> (For example, if your skin turns red after 10 minutes in the sun, a sunscreen with SPF of 15 should allow you to spend 150 minutes in the sun.) However, concerns have peaked about what is ''in'' your sunscreen and just how effective sunscreens really are. Many sunscreens penetrate the skin and add to the chemical overload that your body is already subjected to with daily modern living.<ref name="rf2">Sarah Stacey and Josephine Fairley, ''The 21st Century Beauty Bible'', p. 72, (2002), ISBN 1-85626-437-8</ref> There is no consensus that sunscreens work and there is no proof that higher SPF sunscreens are any better than lower level SPF and they may simply contain more chemicals, thereby increasing your exposure. And getting a [[Avoid False Information on the Internet|false sense of security]] about your ability to stay in the sun all day because you're wearing sunscreen is unhelpful and can result in damaged skin – indeed, some scientists worry that this false sense of security coupled with inferior UVA focused sunscreen use has actually promoted [[Check for Skin Cancer|skin cancers]] in recent times. Thus, "how" you treat sunscreen as a skin protectant is not very important – sunscreen should be used only as ''one part'' of your approach to guarding your skin during the summer; it cannot be the only method and it isn't foolproof.

#*If sunscreens trigger sensitivities, breakouts and other skin problems for you, switch from chemical sunscreens to mineral [[Choose a Sunblock|sunblocks]] (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) to see if this improves things for you.<ref name="rf3">Sarah Stacey and Josephine Fairley, ''The 21st Century Beauty Bible'', p. 84, (2002), ISBN 1-85626-437-8</ref><ref name="rf1" />

#*If you have [[:Category:Oily Skin Care|oily skin]], don't use an SPF higher than 20; doing so risks overloading your skin with chemicals and more oil.<ref name="rf4">Sarah Stacey and Josephine Fairley, ''The 21st Century Beauty Bible'', p. 88, (2002), ISBN 1-85626-437-8</ref> (Indeed, it's recommended that whatever your skin, you think twice about high SPF values on sunscreen products.)Special sunscreens are formulated for oily skin. Look at sunscreen packages carefully and see if they are labeled "Oil-Free" or "Non-Comedogenic" so they won't clog pores or cause excess oil.

# [[Stay Safe in the Sun|Wear protective clothing]] over your skin. A lot of clothing in outdoor stores and fashion stores has a UV protection rating and some clothes are impregnated with a UV-absorbing colorless [[Dye Polyester|dye]].<ref name="rf5">Marie Claire, ''Health and Beauty'', p. 147, (1997), ISBN 0-86411-682-9</ref> The UV protection rating is a good indicator of how clothing can act as an excellent barrier against the sun's rays. Cover up as much skin as you can, using lightweight fabrics when it's really hot and uncomfortable. Choose fabrics that won't itch, scratch, or overheat you and prefer light colors over dark ones, to keep the heat level down.

#*Wear [[Pick Sunglasses|sunglasses]] to protect your sensitive eye skin (and eyes). Eyes are prone to melanomas and cataracts, and the sensitive skin around your eyes is prone to fast aging.<ref name="rf1" />

# Ditch the obsession with a [[Tan Safely|tan]]. Sunbathing or using a [[Examine a Mole|solarium]] increases your chances of damaging your skin and getting skin cancers. Moreover, sunbathing will add a good 20 years to your age by dehydrating and wrinkling your skin.<ref name="rf6">Rosamond Richardson, ''Newoman: The Survival Guide to Growing Older'', p. 101, (2001), ISBN 1-85626-405-X</ref> Do you really want that?

#*Black skin is vulnerable to sun damage too; Iman says that she is two shades darker during summer than in winter and says that even though you may not be able to see the damage, it is still there.<ref name="rf7">Sarah Stacey and Josephine Fairley, ''The 21st Century Beauty Bible'', p. 24, (2002), ISBN 1-85626-437-8</ref>

# Give your skin a break. By watching the weather over summer, you can work out the days when you won't need to slather on the chemicals, such as when it's [[Enjoy the Falling Rain|pouring with rain]] or it's a very overcast day.<ref name="rf8">Sarah Stacey and Josephine Fairley, ''The 21st Century Beauty Bible'', p. 73, (2002), ISBN 1-85626-437-8</ref> Be sure to pop on your hat and cover clothing as usual because UV rays still penetrate the clouds; you can at least allow your skin a break from the sunscreen.

# Rinse skin after swimming. This is especially important when you've been swimming in chlorinated environments as the [[Get Chlorine Out of Your Hair|chlorine]] can dry out your skin and for some people it can even result in an allergic reaction.<ref name="rf3" /> Besides, it's a lot nicer to smell neutral rather than of chlorine!

# Avoid spraying [[Apply Perfume|perfume]] on your skin in the sun. The psoralen in perfume (especially in citrus perfumes) can permanently stain your skin when they react with the sun. During the summertime, it is recommended that you spritz your clothes with your [[Find a Fragrance|fragrance]] rather than your skin.<ref name="rf9">Sarah Stacey and Josephine Fairley, ''The 21st Century Beauty Bible'', p. 77, (2002), ISBN 1-85626-437-8</ref>

# [[Love the Taste of Water|Drink plenty of water]]. Hydrated skin is better skin and it's easy for skin to become parched during the summer months. Dehydration results in dry skin, frown-lines, spots, a sluggish complexion and a lack of "glow".<ref name="rf10">Sarah Bearden, ''Nutrition in essence'', p. 123, (2006), ISBN 978-0-340-92730-4</ref><ref name="rf11">Sarah Stacey and Josephine Fairley, ''The 21st Century Beauty Bible'', p. 56, (2002), ISBN 1-85626-437-8</ref> Drink water regularly throughout the day, preferably between meals (drinking during meals can dilute the nutrients from food).<ref name="rf11" /> Water will both hydrate your skin and flush out toxins that can mar your complexion.<ref name="rf10" />

# Eat healthy foods. A [[Avoid Skin Problems at Work|healthy skin]] comes from eating well and summer is the ideal time to make dietary changes for the better. [[Eat Less Sugar|Cut down on sugar]] and refined processed foods which create unbalanced blood sugar levels and therefore contribute to premature aging.<ref name="rf10" /> Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, in salads, [[Steam Vegetables|steamed]], raw, or as part of a recipe dish. Choose from the rainbow of fruit and vegetable colors to ensure that you're getting all the antioxidants and nutrients your skin needs. A diet rich in flavonoids will help to ensure a healthy and glowing skin.<ref name="rf12">Sarah Bearden, ''Nutrition in essence'', p. 122, (2006), ISBN 978-0-340-92730-4</ref> And include whole grains in your daily diet too, including the ancient grains.

#*No-fat or low-fat diets will cause your skin to dry, wrinkle and age.<ref name="rf12" /> You ''need'' [[Diet Without the Myth of Fat Burning Foods|essential fats]] in your diet to keep your skin moist and supple. The answer is to exclude unhealthy fats (hydrogenated, trans fats, and heat or light damaged fats) from your diet but to keep using healthy fats daily. Nuts and seeds and fresh fish are excellent sources of good fats.<ref name="rf13">Sarah Stacey and Josephine Fairley, ''The 21st Century Beauty Bible'', p. 97, (2002), ISBN 1-85626-437-8</ref>

# Examine your skin regularly. At least one a month, perform a "mole patrol" to check for signs of sun damage on your skin. Be especially alert to moles that have changed shape or size or that hurt, itch, or bleed.<ref name="rf5" />

*Stress harms skin;<ref name="rf6" /> use summer to find new outlets for your stress and to learn ways to overcome stress in your life. Make the most of any breaks you get over summer!

*If you have sensitive skin, the sun itself may be a trigger for skin problems, as well as sunscreens, fragrances, cosmetics, etc.<ref name="rf3" /> It is recommended that you boost your immune system with a multi-vitamin if going on vacation and you have sensitive skin, as you'll be exposed to different foods, sun levels, water, temperatures, and chemicals in the new environment.<ref name="rf3" />