Summer Skin Care 101: 6 All-Natural Tips You Need to Know
Summer skin care is all about protecting your skin from harsh elements that leave your skin looking dull, dehydrated, and just plain old. Choosing the right products to make every summer your best-summer-ever can be difficult. Many drugstore summer skin care products are chock full of gross chemicals that can actually make your skin feel worse over time.
Upgrading your summer survival kit to all natural products is the better way to get that “summer glow up” vibe. Here are 6 all-natural skin care tips to plan your ultimate summer skin care regimen.
#1 Rule of Summer Skin Care: Don’t Skip the SPF
You probably already know that a good sunscreen is absolutely essential for a healthy summer skin care routine. Like most people, you probably have just accepted the unpleasant feeling and white residue left by those chemical-filled drugstore sprays. However, if you upgrade your SPF technique with a natural sunscreen spray instead, the lightweight, mineral-based, and natural SPF products leave your skin feeling smooth and supple— not sticky and greasy.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF), skin cancer is the world’s most common cancer, and sun exposure accounts for roughly 90% of skin aging. Fortunately, the SCF has some good news about summer skin care to keep you looking and feeling your best. Using an SPF 15 or higher on a regular daily basis can reduce the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by about 40%. Additionally, people who do so generally show up to 24% less signs of aging skin than those who don’t.
#2: If You Must Tan…
Biological anthropologist, Dr. Nina Jablonski believes the trend of “tanning,” having skyrocketed during the 1960s and 1980s, may finally be experiencing an ebb as more celebrities eschew tanning to embrace “their own glow.” However, if your summer skin care groove is simply incomplete without tanning, make sure you are at least apply an SPF 15 sunscreen 30 minutes before heading out and use only a natural tanning oil.
#3: Moisturize After Swimming
Chlorine and salt water can really dry out your skin. Keeping a natural moisturizer like fractionated coconut oil on hand to replenish your skin’s moisture after a dip is a summer skin care game changer! Pro-tip: Natural tanning oil— especially ones with natural oils like jojoba —can also be a great moisturizer on the go, especially if it comes in a handy spray bottle.
#4: Hydration = A Summer Skin Care Must
Even the best summer skin care routine can’t help you look and feel your best if you’re dehydrated. Make sure you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated on the inside and also keep your skin cool and hydrated on the outside.
The Mayo Clinic recommends men drink at least 3.7 liters and women drink at least 2.7 liters of water per day— but also cautions to consider your environment and increase intake in hot or humid weather.
Avoid feeling overheated and keep your skin hydrated with a mineral water spray. Adding an all-natural cooling spray to your summer skin care arsenal is an excellent way to keep your skin nice and hydrated on the outside and to just feel more cool and comfortable.
#5: Soothe Over-Exposed Skin
Every summer skin care kit should absolutely include aloe vera gel! When you’re busy enjoying summer adventures, you should always be prepared for accidents. You may be on vacation or enjoying an amusement park and forget to reapply your sunscreen— it happens to everyone. Not to mention the occasional bug bite!
Among the many benefits of aloe vera gel, sunburn relief is one of the most popular. In fact, the American Academy of Dermatology specifically recommends aloe vera to help soothe sunburned skin. Due to its ability to soothe irritated skin, aloe vera gel can be applied to bug bites as well.
#6: Remember Your Lips & Tips
It seems like so many summer skin care regimens forget the small details! When enjoying more time in the sun, it’s important to moisturize your lips and protect the tips of your ears and nose from those damaging UV rays.
Petroleum based lip balms are essentially chemical grease. Your lips may feel slick but they’re not moisturized. For maximum hydration during the extra dry summer months, try all-natural lip balms instead.
If you’ve been paying attention so far- you know our #1 rule of summer skin care: Don’t skip the SPF. That goes for your whole body! It’s so easy to overlook your ears, and your poor nose (the most exposed part of your face). Even if you spray your whole face with a hydrating toner, it’s a good idea to concentrate a little more on these areas, which can be easily done with a solid sunscreen. Just make sure to avoid the nasty chemical ones and stick to a sunscreen stick made with natural ingredients.
The Takeaway
All-natural products take your summer skin care routine to the next level. Following these 6 tips as a guide gives you everything you need for an all-natural summer.
- 1. Don’t skip the SPF in your summer skin care regimen.
- 2. If you must tan, only use natural tanning oil.
- 3. Always moisturize after swimming.
- 4. Drink plenty of water and use a cooling mist.
- 5. Soothe over-exposed skin with aloe vera gel.
- 6. Don’t forget lips, nose and ears!