look after your skin in summer

It’s not said enough, SUNSCREEN! This should be an essential part of your everyday skin care, not only in summer. But I’m still going to say it, apply sunscreen to all the exposed areas before you even think about stepping outside. The only different between summer and winter with UV rays is that you show more skin during summer than in winter so there is more to cover. After you get out of the shower in the morning on a summer day, before you get dressed into shorts and a singlet, apply sunscreen everywhere, this way you won’t miss anyway. Remember to play every 1 – 2 hours if you’re swimming or sweating. This isn’t as necessary in winter fortunately. In saying that, buy a new sunscreen every season.

Your body is constantly shedding skin cells so it’s important to keep that under control otherwise it will look dry and dull. Use a gentle exfoliant on your face every 2 days a week for dry skins and 3 days a week for oily skins. Ensure that it isn’t too harsh on the skin as it may end up damaging the acid mantle or causing broken capillaries. Use a body scrub on your body once a week, ensuring you apply lotion afterwards as this is the best time for it to soak into the fresh skin. Continue to use lofah gloves each time you shower with your body wash and this helps to slowly exfoliate away those dead skin cells and keep your skin smooth all year round.

If you want to be tanned for summer, I beg you… Please don’t cover yourself in coconut oil and lay out in the sun like they use to do. Get a professional spray or invest in a good at home spray or lotion. Find one that has had good reviews and works best for you. You’ll thank yourself when you’re older as it will slow down aging and lower your skin cancer risk.

Don’t forget to keep your lips protected, during winter they can become cracked from the wind. During summer, they can become cracked due to the heat and sun damage. Ensure you are constantly applying a lip balm or gloss that has at least SPF 15+ in it, this will help to keep them protected and moisturised.

Remember to drink your 8 glasses of water, more if needed to help keep your skin hydrated as well as your body. It’s a lot easier to lose fluid through perspiration during the hotter weather and your skin is the last organ to experience the benefits of hydration.

If you have drier skin, it is important to keep your skin moisturised and ensure that you are using the right sort. It should absorb well and not leave an oily layer and should contain antioxidants to protect your skin from UV rays and free radicals.

Try to op for a light foundation or tinted moisturiser during the summer months and keep your make up natural. Use a waterproof eyeliner and mascara if you intend to be spending your time in the sun or in the water. If you are sweating off your makeup, don’t rub or wipe it but dab it with wipes that are made for soaking up sweat but not rubbing off the makeup. Also powder your foundation before applying other products.

remember to slip slop slap..

the good ol' saying of slip slop slap.. slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat. with spring beginning on thursday and getting closer to summer, i think its time for a reminder on sun protection..

oh, there is also. seek some shade and slide on some sunnies. that must be a new part.. anyway, moving on.

Don’t leave home without sunscreen, you can have skin damage from walking to the car in the morning. UV rays are there everyday even if it’s cloudy and those are the sorts of days your face or other exposing areas of your body can be really damaged. Use a foundation with sunscreen in it, or better yet use sunscreen underneath your face primer and foundation. Make sure that if you’re going into water that you use a water resistant sunscreen; also try to find a sunscreen which suits your skin type such as a oil free sunscreen for oily skin.

When you apply sunscreen, make sure you have applied it 20 to 30 minutes before you allowing exposure to the sun and before going into water. If you have fair skin, you may want to prepare yourself the night before by applying a layer of sunscreen. Don’t forget important areas such as ears, nose, feet, hands, hairline and lips.

Due to the level of damage that Australian Sun gives, it is recommended to start using anti-ageing creams earlier than normally suggested. Start using an eye cream from the age of 21 and if you spot fine lines appearing on your skin, start applying enriched products immediately to prevent further damage.

There is also sun protection pill, which is an antioxidant supplement as research shows that these significantly reduced UVA-related damage that leads to wrinkling and brown spots. This however does not replace sunscreen.

Layer you lips with a SPF balm that will guard your lips against thinning, dryness and sun spots as they lack a protective outer layer, so they are incredibly sensitive to UV rays.

As well as ensuring that you either wear a hat or use a spray sunscreen on the top of your head, comb a regular sunscreen through your strands to protect your hair from the chlorine and salt water that can strip your colour and dry out your hair.

prep yourself for summer.

There is a lot of tasks that we need to get our heads around before summer, so as winter starts to fade it’s time to prep your body for the summer days. Ensure you look your best by following simple steps.
Besides using exfoliating gloves which I recommend should be used regularly in the shower, add a body scrub in your routine. Either go to a spa to have one or purchase/make your own to use at home. To mix up your own, use sea salt (or even table salt if you prefer a less abrasive scrub) mix with either an oil or body butter and add a couple drops of your favourite essential oils. I like orange, lime, tanergine or lemon for an uplifting effect. The oil or body butter used will help to get rid of that dry scaly skin that you’ve developed over winter.

As much as we love a tan, we know the damage of UV rays that cause premature aging and cancer. And instead of heading to the salon for a spray tan weekly, research a good spray tanning mist product to give you that summer glove. And most don’t leave you orange if something goes wrong, just browner than normal.

The most hated part of preparing yourself for summer is toning up for body, you can use toning gel or you can actually get out there and do it. You’ll feel better for it too! Work on your stomach, arms, legs and glutes muscles, do regular toning exercises each day for a couple minutes and you’ll be looking great by summer time.

Start looking after you feet, head to a nail bar to get your feet looking fantastic and start using a foot scrub at home. Get a minty scrub to use in the shower and then once your jump out of the shower, before you dry your feet use a pedi-paddle on the heel of your foot, side of big toe and top corner of the foot to soften any rough spots.

Invest in a good sunscreen and tinted moisturizer that has at least SPF 15+ and don’t leave the house without it. Sun protection is a very important part of looking after your skin and ensuring that you’re going to look your best over the years. Always remember to use a waterproof sunscreen if you’re going for a swim or heading to the gym.

Look in to hair removal, cause we all know that shaving isn’t the best option. Whether your prefer waxing, laser or epilators: get onto it so that you are hair free for summer and to get into that bikini.

Only 100 days to summer, get ready girls!