The hot weather is upon us, but instead of making this year another for the sunburn books, prep your skin for summer weather by following these four easy steps. With only a few adjustments to your beauty regimen, you’ll avoid the need for aloe and wide-brimmed hats.
1. Exfoliate
If you’ve got an affinity for tinted moisturizers or self-tanners, you’ll want to exfoliate your face to prep your skin for summer weather. Since applying self-tanner to dead skin cells will make it less effective by making your tan fade faster, you’ll want to pick up a gentle face scrub to ensure that seasonal glow. Just make sure not to overdo it: certain exfoliants work best with weekly application, and can otherwise be a little too harsh.
2. Apply SPF
You’re not prepping your skin for summer weather without SPF application “ especially since UV rays can begin causing sun damage with only a few minutes of sun exposure. Apply a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF every day at the minimum “ and more, if you know you’re going to be outside. And if you’re worried about sunscreen clogging up your pores, pick up a two-in-one moisturizer or facial sunscreen that’s less greasy. Just remember to re-apply every hour you’re outside “ no excuses.
3. Moisturize
Moisturizing daily is essential to prepping your skin for summer weather “ especially if you plan on being outside regularly. Healthy, hydrated skin will not only look better, but it will prevent signs of aging, and will be less inclined to dry out in the sun. As mentioned, a moisturizer infused with SPF will ensure all bases are covered this season, and will protect your face against harmful UV while ensuring all products work their best.
4. Correct existing damage
Odds are you may already have endured the sun’s wrath if you’ve been soaking up the springtime rays, so when it comes to prepping your skin for summer weather, make sure to correct or offset any damage you’ve already been subjected to. You can’t reverse UV damage, but you can reduce redness or dryness by intense moisturizing masks and night creams. However, before self-diagnosing, make a trip to your dermatologist to ensure any sunspots, freckles or moles are healthy, and ask for his or her suggestions on what products to use.
