Karla Tafra
Tanned, glowing skin is usually what we all aim for while frolicking on the beach or hanging out poolside. But did you know that with the right skin care routine, you can keep that sun-kissed summer look all year?
When summer goes, it takes the sun and moisture with it, which affects everyone’s skin, and not in a good way. If you incorporate the following tips into your skin care routine, though, you can make summer last all year.
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Slather on That Moisturizer
Even if your skin looks dewy and glowy in the summer, it’s actually pretty dry and dehydrated from long-term sun exposure and hot weather. That’s why making sure you moisturize properly is the best way to ensure your skin is getting the hydration it needs to stay plump and radiant.
When looking for the perfect moisturizer, there’s no one-size-fits-all product, no matter what it says on the packaging. Everyone has a unique skin type that reacts differently to skin care products, so finding your perfect match will take some trial and error.
We recommend sticking to organic products, like this Superfood Air Whip Moisture Cream from Youth to the People. This will minimize the amount of harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances that penetrate your skin, and prevent any inflammatory reactions.
Apply it in circular motions twice a day after washing your face to boost your lymphatic system. It’s especially important to moisturize after you shower, as warm water can dry out your skin even more.
Also, make sure you pay special attention to your elbows and knees, as your skin is really thin in those areas so dry spots can occur more easily. You don’t have to use your face moisturizer on those areas, though. We recommend a good hydrating body lotion, like this one from Love Beauty & Planet. It’s made with murumuru butter, argan oil, and rose so it also smells lovely.
Scrub, But Not Too Much
Scrubbing off dead skin cells with a good exfoliator is an important step you should never skip in your skin care routine. When summer’s over, it’s also best to be a bit more careful than usual.
The sun’s UV rays and dry, warm air are known to dry out skin, so scrubbing a bit too often or too roughly can cause irritation. It also increases dryness after you exfoliate the outer layer of your skin. We recommend the JuJu Bar by Drunk Elephant. It’s made of mud and bamboo powder to gently remove impurities and exfoliate.
With any exfoliator, start by using it once a week, then gradually go up to two or three times per week. This will allow you to see how the product affects your skin. Again, apply it gently with circular movements.
After each scrubbing session, cover all of your skin with a generous layer of moisturizer or body oil and let your skin fully absorb it before you dress.
Keep Your Shower Time Short
Taking long, hot showers can strip the natural oils and moisture from your skin, so trim down the time you spend in there. Try to lower the water temperature, as well. Carefully apply your skin care products to your skin after you shower. Being in a rush can make you harsher with your skin.
Post-shower, dry off with a towel but try not to rub your skin too hard. Rather, just blot it dry, as this will be less irritating. You’ll avoid creating friction that could cause trauma to the skin.
Also, try using a different towel for your face as you don’t want the products you put on your body to clog your pores.
Cleanse Your Skin After a Workout
Sweating flushes toxins out of your body, but it also leaves residue on your skin. That’s why properly cleansing your skin after a workout is a very important step to keep it healthy and thriving.
Use a mild, natural cleanser for both your face and body, so you don’t strip off any protected oils or natural moisture. We like the ASUTRA Dead Sea Salt Body Scrub Exfoliator because it’s organic, gentle, and removes dead skin cells while also moisturizing.
As always, finish off with a good dose of moisturizer to seal the deal.
Focus on Hydration in Your Diet
Your skin can’t only be maintained from the outside; what you put inside counts, as well. Drink plenty of water to ensure proper hydration. Also, focus on incorporating more hydrating foods, such as cucumbers, radishes, zucchini, berries, melon, and celery.
Avoid getting to the point where you feel parched as that only proves you’re already dehydrated, and your skin will suffer the most.
Avoid Inflammatory Foods
Another food-related tip that will minimize any inflammatory factors is avoiding inflammatory foods. They can deplete your skin of nutrients, and therefore, cause hormonal changes that dry out your skin and cause breakouts, blemishes, and other skin cell damage.
Keep highly processed foods to a minimum, as your body will struggle to fight off the inflammation. To do this, it has to use too many resources usually reserved for keeping your body functioning at its best.
When it comes to keeping your body happy and healthy, do everything you possibly can to avoid causing it unnecessary trauma or stress. That’s what inevitably happens when components that shouldn’t be there enter your digestive system.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep deprivation can cause a myriad of problems, but one of the areas it affects the most is your skin. Studies have shown that even one night of poor sleep can contribute to swollen eyes, hanging eyelids, paler skin tone, and more pronounced wrinkles and fine lines.
Shift your attention to creating a good sleeping routine that will leave you well-rested in the morning, with a radiant face and fresh-looking skin, no matter the season.
These tips can help you create a better sleep routine:
- Try to go to bed at the same time each night,
- Avoid fatigue-inducing blue screens before bedtime.
- Invest in comfortable, non-irritable bedding.
- Limit any distractions in your bedroom that might cause you to struggle to fall asleep or wake up multiple times throughout the night.
It might take a while to get used to a new sleep routine, but once your body adjusts, both you and your skin will reap the benefits!
Trying to keep that summer glow year-round isn’t that hard if you implement these tips into your daily routine. And don’t be surprised when you start receiving tons of compliments on your radiant complexion. Tackle those dark circles and wrinkles next with an under-eye mask treatment!
