As you prepare for the summer sun, you really should consider your skin care and how you can enjoy the warm weather and holidays while managing exposure to harmful UV light and keeping your skin in tip top condition.
Many people incorrectly assume dry skin leads to wrinkles and that moisturisers can prevent them. Not true. Research shows that 90% of wrinkles are caused by the sun’s UVA light and sun damage is the number one cause of premature ageing in women and men.
Why are UVA rays so bad? Even at low-level exposures, UVA light breaks down collagen, which causes wrinkles. Even worse, scientists have found that UVA is the main culprit for many melanomas because it reaches deep into the underlying support structure of the skin. Consequently, it is impossible to develop a tan without having at least some damage occurring to the skin.
A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, freckles, age spots and rough, dry skin. Sun exposure can also cause more-serious problems, such as skin cancer.
By selecting appropriate clothing and applying proper sun protection, it is possible to enjoy outdoor activities in the sunshine, while still maintaining healthy and vibrant skin throughout life.
Summer skin care top tips
The sun doesn’t have to be cracking the flags to have an effect on your hair and skin. We asked skin care expert, Stella Gardner to share her recommendations to limit the effects of dry summer weather on our skin.
- Over-exposure to the sun must be avoided at all ages, but more so as we mature.
- Apply sunscreen to clean, dry skin.
- It is recommended to use a teaspoon of sunscreen for each limb. Most people do not apply enough sunscreen.
- Don’t vigorously rub in sunscreen – most sunscreens absorb into the skin and need only to be spread around.
- Avoid going out in the sun between 10am and 4pm. If you have no choice, try to avoid the sun as much as you can, by seeking a shaded spot.
- Use a broad spectrum sunscreen, which provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays. A Sun Protection Factor of minimum 15 is essential. Even when you are indoors, apply sunscreen. The harmful effects of the sun are not restricted to the outdoors, and can penetrate windows.
- Apply sunscreen twenty minutes before going outdoors to give it time to bond to your skin.
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours, after heavy sweating or after being in water.
- If you are exposed to the sun, even for as little as 10 to 20 minutes a day, which includes walking to your car or talking to a neighbour outdoors, that cumulative exposure over the years will wrinkle your skin, and no skin-care product except a sunscreen with a high SPF can change that.
- Since we know we have to stay out of the sun, try using bronzers to achieve that healthy sun look glow. Match a powdered bronzer not too dark for your skin tone all over your face. For mature skin use a matte like powder. If you want to achieve a more shimmer look then add this over the first matte layer, paying extra attention to the areas of your face that the sun would naturally hit. Then try using a liquid bronzer on your body.
- Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. You might also opt for special sun-protective clothing, which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays while keeping you cool and comfortable.
Skin care tips while on holiday
When you are relaxed and away from your daily routine it is easy to let slip some of the essential skin care tips above. Holidays can wreak havoc on your skin and hair if you fail to maintain a regular routine; hot weather, swimming pools, sea water and maybe enjoying one too many drinks of the wrong kind can leave your skin dry and dull. Here, Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme share her advice for holiday-proofing your skin.
Cleanser in the Morning
Start the day the right way. I use a foaming cleanser in the morning to wash off any sweat produced in the night. A pea-sized amount is more than enough to wash your face and then pat dry.
Cleanser in the Evening
In the evening you should remove sunscreen, sweat, makeup and debris from your skin. My choice for doing this is CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. This is great for removing makeup and can be used on the eyes. One cleanse is enough – we need to be careful if our skin has been in the sun all day.
Niacinamide
Using niacinamide both in the morning and evening repairs the barrier function of the skin and is extremely nourishing and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Moisturiser
I choose to use a lightweight moisturiser and take it right up to my eyes. When at home, I use an eye cream but whilst on holiday, I prefer to keep my skincare streamlined and use nothing which will cause irritation.
Lips
If, like me, you suffer with dry lips, you can try the Avene Cold Cream to hydrate her lips. She then follows this with a SPF lip balm to protect her lips from any harmful rays.
Sunscreen
Finish with sunscreen in the morning. I recommend using the Obagi Sun Shield Matte. I also like to use the Alturist Sunscreen. This has full SPF and UVA coverage with no white cast left on the skin.
If you found Skin care – Looking after your skin this summer helpful, you’ll find more simple skin care tips on our Beauty channel.
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