Hot and humid weather, as well as chlorinated or salt water, all take their toll on our skin during summer. Here are some helpful summer skin care tips for keeping your skin safe and beautiful all season long.

DON'T NEGLECT YOUR SKIN
Most aging to the skin occurs in the summertime.  Your best defenses against skin aging from sun exposure is consistent application of sun protection, facials and a regular skin care routine. 

WEAR SUNSCREEN TO CUT BACK ON SUN DAMAGE
Recent skin research from UCLA determined that 78% of all the sun damage is from incidental exposure.  This may occur from simply walking from your office or home to your car or driving.  To avoid unnecessary sun exposure, wear a moisturizer with sun block ingredients, in addition to wearing a sunscreen of SPF 15 or greater.  Whether you wear SPF 15 or SPF 30 doesn’t really matter.  How often you reapply your sunscreen is more important.  There’s little difference between the protection of SPF 15 and SPF 30 – only about 4%, and it’s even less in the higher numbers.  So remember, the key is to reapply your sunscreen at least every two hours.  Slather it on!

USE COLD YOGURT TO SOOTHE A SUNBURN
Layering lotion on sunburned skin traps heat, keeping the skin red longer. Skin needs to breathe to let out heat. Cold plain yogurt acts as an anti-inflammatory and heat remover. Apply, let dry for 15 minutes, and rinse. Repeat every hour.

USE HAND CREAM THAT CONTAINS SUNSCREEN
The majority of aging on hands (sun spots and wrinkles) is attributable to driving with your hands on the steering wheel.  Use a hand cream with an SPF of at least #15 each day.

FOR SENSITIVE SKIN, KEEP YOUR PRODUCTS IN THE REFRIGERATOR
If you have redness or rosacea-like symptoms, constant summer heat may keep your skin red and irritated. Refrigerate your products so that when you use them, the cold reduces the dilation of the capillaries and reduces visible redness.

ANTIOXIDANTS, TOPICALLY AND INTERNALLY
One of the main sources of damaging free radicals is through sunlight.  Research indicates that antioxidants in topical skin care products and taken internally through fruit and vegetable sources like spinach, tomatoes, berries and sweet potatoes, can provide your skin and body with the defense it needs to fight off damaging free radicals which increase aging.

DON'T RELY ONLY ON YOUR SUNSCREEN
Reapply every one or two hours if you are out in the sun, because your sunscreen will wear off, sweat off and wash off.  Be sure to wear a hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing as well for added protection to guard your skin against sun damage. Avoid the sun if you want to look young!  Any exposure to sun may cause damage to your skin.  And don’t exclude tanning beds, as they are even worse.

BLOT, BLOT, BLOT
Summer months produce extra oils on your skin, which is unavoidable.  Keep the shine under control with oil blotting paper.  If you find yourself in a pinch, try using the paper for toilet seat covers in public restrooms, which are similar to expensive oil blotting papers. Tear off a piece and press firmly on the skin. Voila!

GET YOUR ZZZZS
Most Americans, especially women, are sleep deprived; causing you to be grouchy, drowsy, and forgetful, and it will also wreak havoc on your skin.  An extra hour each night will make a huge difference.

WASH MAKEUP BRUSHES OFTEN AND SUN DRY
With the summer months bringing oilier skin, your makeup brushes may carry bacteria and oil in the bristles, resulting in breakouts and clogged pores.  Use a tablespoon of gentle cleanser in a glass of warm water to clean your brushes by swishing them until there’s lather.  Rinse, detangle with a clean comb and dry out in the sun in an upright glass.  The sun will destroy bacteria and dry your brushes faster.

BOTTOM LINE
The #1 cause of lines and wrinkles is sun exposure. If you want to look young, avoid the sun. It's really that simple. A little sun damage = a little damage. A lot of sun = a lot of damage.

SUNSCREEN INGREDIENTS IN PRODUCTS
When deciding on products to give you extra sun protection here are some ingredients to look for: avocado oil, coconut oil, emu oil, grapeseed oil and extract, honey, jojoba oil, red raspberry seed oil, rice bran oil, shea butter, tamanu oil, vitamin C, and zinc oxide.