It is that time of the year again! Beaches are starting to fill up, barbeques are ablaze with delicious summer favorites, and the fragrant smells from the summer blooms are starting to fill the air. As the days get longer and the heat starts to roll in, it is important to switch up your daily routine in order to keep your skin and body healthy during the warmer months.
If you want to get the most out of your summer months, here are a few essential beauty tips to keep in mind.
Switch To Non-Comedogenic Skin Care
Keeping your skin moisturized in summer is just as important as it is in the cooler and dryer months. But depending on the formulation, the creams you use in winter are not always appropriate for the warmer climate.
Generally, we use thicker body butters, lotions, and face creams in the cooler months, which is not the best option in hot humid weather. Just like your wardrobe, you don’t want to put a ‘thick coat’ on your skin when it is hot outside as these heavier formulations can block pores and lead to acne breakouts, irritation, and inflammation.
Instead, you want to opt for non-comedogenic formulations (does not cause comedones or block pores) especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin. Water-based lotions, serums, facial mists, and gel-based moisturizers will keep your skin feeling fresh and prevent it from drying out from the harsh summer sun.
The same goes for your makeup. Foundation can feel very heavy or ‘cakey’ in hot humid weather so it’s advisable to pack this product away until winter comes around again. If you are not comfortable going bare-faced, opt for BB cream or tinted moisturizers for a light blemish coverage that won’t suffocate your pores.
Don’t Skimp On Sun Protection
It has been said a million times before and needs to be said a million times over – never leave the house without sun protection. The popularity of donning a sun-kissed glow came about during the 19th century. Being tan was associated with the wealthy because the bronzed glow was a telltale sign that most of your leisure time was spent traveling to tropical climates in the colder months.
Unfortunately, the media continues to advertise this stigma by plastering tanned bikini bodies on the front of magazine covers and most summer-related product advertisements. It is not uncommon to see bodies lazing on the beach for hours on end trying to achieve this look. It never ends well. It usually results in a severe sunburn that causes the skin to blister and brings on some flu-like symptoms like fever, cold chills, and headaches. But that’s not the scariest part… over time, excessive exposure to the sun can also damage your DNA and increase your chances of developing skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and the most aggressive type of skin cancer, melanoma, which is responsible for 75% of skin cancer fatalities.
While a bronze sheen is the trademark of a summer well spent, you should always be responsible when it comes to spending time in the sun.
According to the CDC, you should practice sun safety by:
- Wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
- Applying sunscreen with at least 15 SPF every two hours or after swimming.
- Wearing UV protective clothes.
- Wearing good quality sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays.
- Sitting in the shade whenever possible.
Don’t Sweat It
This is a topic nobody really wants to discuss, but it has to be brought to light. Sweating is a completely natural process that you shouldn’t be embarrassed about. It is your body’s way of cooling down and getting rid of toxins, to keep you cool, healthy, and protected.
Unfortunately, excessive sweating can lead to body odor, especially in the summer months. Invest in a high-quality antiperspirant that doesn’t leave any stains or marks on your clothing and keeps you dry all day. Antiperspirants can also be used to stop your inner thighs from chaffing on extremely hot days.
If body odor is something that you have been trying to address to no avail, a premium supplement like Odorol™ may just be the solution you are looking for.
Prime Time
The sweltering heat can quite literally melt away your makeup. Smudging, running, and clumping is inevitable! To stop your eyeshadow from clumping in the crease of your lids and to prevent your tinted moisturizer from rubbing off, use a high-quality primer to set your makeup and keep it in place.
Another great tip is to swap out your pencil liners for liquid eyeliner to prevent any smudging – you don’t want to look like a panda by the middle of the day. For mascara, a waterproof formula is your best friend for long days at the office or the beach.
In summer, less is always more and you can pull off a glowing fresh look with a few basic items in your cosmetic bag:
- Fake eyelashes or eyelash extensions – this eliminates any smudging or running. Fake eyelashes are great for bringing out your eyes and creating a natural but alluring look.
- Bronzer – instead of exposing yourself to harmful UV rays, use a bronzer for that sun-kissed glow. Apply it to the areas the sun normally reflects such as your cheeks, nose, and forehead.
- Tinted gloss or lip balm – stick to shades that are neutral and bring out the natural shape of your lips to make them appear plump and luscious. Opt for a lightweight formula that won’t clog the pores around the mouth and stays put for a couple of hours so you don’t have to keep applying it.
Stay Hydrated and Cool
All the sweating and heat can lead to dehydration fairly quickly. When your body doesn’t have enough water it is unable to function properly and can also bring on a few side effects. Your body tells you that it needs water levels replenished by signaling thirst, however, downing a soda or another sugary drink is not going to cut it. You have to rehydrate with at least 8 glasses of water a day.
Here are a few more signs that may mean you are dehydrated:
- Dry mouth
- Dark yellow urine
- Headaches
- Muscle cramps and spasms
- Dry, dull-looking skin
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Fainting
- Rapid heartbeat and breathing
- Dizziness
Staying cool will also help reduce excessive sweating and dehydration. This doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors with the aircon on all day. It also doesn’t mean that eating ice cream all day is a good idea either.
Instead, you could shoot two birds with one stone by eating healthy foods that will cool you down and keep you hydrated throughout the day. Salads, fruit, raw veggie snacks, and iced smoothies are perfect options for keeping you cool and energized. Heavier meals like stew and pies will leave you feeling sluggish especially in the heat.
On those really unbearably hot days, pop some fruits that have a high water content like watermelon into the freezer for an hour or two before eating them. Frozen plain yogurt sprinkled with some fresh berries and chia seeds also makes a deliciously healthy and cooling snack for those lazy days by the poolside.
Now that you have these summer beauty tips in hand, it’s time to grab your SPF and go outside to enjoy the beautiful gifts of mother nature on this fine sunny day!