Are you taking proper care of your skin this Summer?

Summer is the season when you have to take special care of your skin. You may be surprised that your summer skin, which looked radiant throughout winter, suddenly looks dull, blemished and oily. This is because, in winter your skin's natural oils solidifies, whereas in summer it flows freely. It's estimated that 90 percent of wrinkles cause due to sun exposure. The sun's long- and short-wave ultraviolet rays, or UVA and UVB, penetrate the deepest layers of skin, damaging the collagen -- the spongy protein that gives skin it's structure, firmness, and elasticity. Fair skin wrinkles more readily than dark skin because it contains less pigment, which acts as a natural sunscreen, blocking some of the sun's damaging UVA and B rays. 

• To prevent wrinkles caused due to sun rays stay out of the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when it's almost directly overhead and UV radiation is strongest. 

• Stay in the shade as much as possible. And wear protective clothing and plenty of sunscreen. Use a scarf!
  
  
  
  
• Strive to apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before stepping outside. Sunscreen should always be reapplied after contact with water or after sweating. Sunscreen also should be worn year round--every time you leave the house. Shop for sunscreen that blocks against UVB and UVA rays both believed to induce skin cancer.
  
  
  
• Smooth on a moisturizer that contains sunscreen in proper concentration. Your skin needs more water than anything else and moisturizers are more needed in summer when you lose most of your body salts by sweating. Buy a water-based moisturizer and use it without fail. Rose water is also a good moisturizer and it can be sprayed on the face to tone and refresh it.
  
  
  
  
• Wear proper sunglasses and a hat with a broad brim.
  
  
  
  
• Make it a habit to wash your face gently with water n number of times in a day. Don't use very hot or cold water on your skin which can cause fine vein to appear on your face. Steam your face regularly to open the pores and clean your face of the dirt.
  
  
  

Just as you take care of your body you must not forget your feet and hands. Mostly people neglect their feet and hands and think that they don't have to take care of them or rather feel unnecessary to waste their time on them. Believe me there's nothing more off-putting than looking at cracked, dirty heels. So all you have to do is use plenty of water. 

• Soak your feet and hands in water for 15/20 minutes. Add a pinch of salt in it which will help you get rid of the fatigue. It is advisable to change water from hot to cold. That is for 2 minutes soak your feet in cold water and then soak it in hot water. This also helps improve your blood circulation. Do this for 15 minutes once a week.

• Do not wear shoes and closed footwear in the summer. Wear strappy, low-heeled sandals or some fancy flats. Wear a footwear that will allow air circulation and which are comfortable.
  
  
  
  
• Keep hydrated. Drink water throughout the day. If you’re on the go, try bringing a bottle and a container of fresh fruit on the go to prevent dehydration and heat stroke.
  
  
  
  
• Exfoliate,depending on your skin type, either 1-2 times a week if you’re dry and 2-3 times a week if you’re oily to help shed dead skin buildup and slough off previous sun damage. Doing so helps rejuvenate skin, leaving it soft and brighter.
  
  
  
  
• Hot showers after sun exposure further dry skin-turn down the temperature and you’ll pick up a few added benefits. A cool shower after excess sweating helps keep the skin unoccluded, decreasing acne breakouts.
  
  
  
  
• White wine is refreshing in the summer, but red wine is healing. Resveratol, a naturally occurring phenol found in the skin of red grapes can decrease redness from acute sunburns. It has an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect. Cheers!
  
  
  
  

Hope you try these and they work for you! Until next time,
XOXO!