Five Ways to Protect Your Skin This Summer

Summer’s here! It’s time to go swimming, spend plenty of time in the sun, and participate in all your favorite outdoor activities. Unfortunately, it’s also the time when your skin takes a beating. Sunburn, sweat, pool chemicals, and a host of other things can cause serious damage to your skin, making you look older and even increasing your risk of skin cancer. To help you out, we’ve put together a helpful list of five ways to protect your skin in the summer months.

1. Wear sunscreen! Ok, we know this is a no-brainer, but it’s so important that it bears repeating. Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer, and many cases could be prevented if people remembered this important tip. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and apply it at least 20 minutes before you go outside. Don’t forget your ears, lips, and hands, and don’t forget to reapply.
2. Wear protective clothing. Certain materials are better for sun protection than others. Wearing unbleached cotton, thin silk, and polyester can block harmful UV rays, and dark fabric absorbs UV rays instead of reflecting them back onto your body.
3. Get plenty of sleep. We think of summer as a laid back time of year, but when we start running around to pool parties, barbeques, family reunions, and road trips, summer can be busier than the rest of the year. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body releases a hormone that can lead to acne. By getting your eight hours, you’ll not only feel and function better, your skin will look better, too.
4. Protect your skin from chlorine. Pool chemicals can seriously dry out your skin. Apply waterproof sunscreen or pre-swim lotion before swimming, and shower off immediately after getting out of the pool to avoid the worst of the effects.

Take care of damaged skin. Ok, so hopefully you actually put on the sunscreen, but if you didn’t, make sure to take care of sunburns. Apply cooling gels and aloe vera lotions at the first signs of a sunburn, and remember to get a yearly skin exam to check for any early signs of skin cancer.

By taking care of your skin this summer, you can keep it looking fresh and healthy. After all, summer’s a time for relaxing and rejuvenation. Shouldn’t your skin be rejuvenated, too?