At Evidation, it's our job to help you take care of your mind and body—and that includes your body's largest organ, the skin. From eating plenty of skin-smart foods to getting the water that you need, Evidation can help you take the steps necessary to create a natural glow, and integrating skincare tips into your Evidation experience can help you take great care of your skin all year round.
Beaming UV rays and high humidity levels in the summer can wreak havoc on your skin. Thankfully, there are some simple steps you can take to maintain great skin health throughout the warmer months. Here, we'll take a look at how you can take care of your skin while enjoying all that summer has to offer.
Sun Safety
You already know that staying safe in the sun is key for protecting your skin from cancer, but the benefits of proper summer skincare don't stop there. Applying sunscreen effectively and regularly can also help save you from painful sunburns, and can reduce the signs of aging that are exacerbated by exposure to the sun.
Try these tips to keep your skin healthy in the summer sun:
- Apply sunscreen often. Dermatologists recommend that you apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher at least every two hours. Reapplication is especially key if you're swimming or sweating, and yes—you need sunscreen even when it's cloudy outside.
- Avoid the sun between 10 am and 2 pm. The sun is at its strongest during these hours. Opt to stay inside (or at least in the shade) if possible.
- Cool off. After enjoying a day in the sun, take a cool shower and wash off any remaining sweat and sunscreen. In the event that you do get sunburned, it's a good idea to apply aloe vera gel while your skin moves through the healing process.
Hydration and moisturization strategies
Hydration is already a part of your self-care routine, and if you're already using Evidation, you likely take advantage of our reminders to drink up. In the summer, hydration and moisturization are key to helping your skin stay healthy.
Men should drink at least 104 ounces of water each day, and women should drink at least 72 ounces. If you're spending a lot of time outdoors, exercising heavily, are pregnant, or have other health conditions, you may need more water to keep your skin healthy. Drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning and continuing to sip throughout the day can be a smart way to stay on top of your hydration goals.
Moisturization is key in the hot summer months. If you're currently using a heavy moisturizing cream, switching to a light lotion can be a smart way to hydrate your skin and stay comfortable.
Gentle cleansing techniques
The sweat, sunscreen, and humidity of summer may mean that you need to wash your face more often than normal in order to feel comfortable. Using foaming or gel-based cleansers (paired with a light moisturizer) can help you effectively clean your skin without stripping away your natural protective oils.
Incorporating antioxidants into skincare
Antioxidants help to slow the skin's natural aging process, and can be especially helpful in the summer months. Many people find that incorporating antioxidants into their skincare routines can help to lessen the appearance of loose skin, blotches, fine lines, and wrinkles.
Antioxidants to look for in your skincare routine include:
- Vitamin C
- Resveratrol
- Niacinamide
- Retinol (vitamin A)
- Coenzyme Q10
- Vitamin E
- Polyphenols
Using cooling ingredients and products
After a day in the heat, there's not much that feels better than going through a skincare routine loaded with cooling products. While cooling products don't actually reduce the temperature of the skin, they do affect the nerves responsible for messaging temperature changes to the brain. This means that you get fast, effective relief the moment your cooling products hit your skin.
Skincare ingredients that can help you beat the heat include:
- Cucumber
- Peppermint
- Eucalyptus
- Aloe vera
- Menthol
Pro tip: If you can, stow your skincare products in the fridge. You'll get a de-puffing effect that feels fantastic.
Managing sweat and oil production
One of the best parts of summer is exercising outdoors, but working up a sweat in the sun may not be great for your skin. If you have oily skin, or spend a lot of time sweating outdoors, it's important to take steps to combat breakouts caused by sweat and oil.
Changing out of sweaty clothes as soon as possible can help, as can choosing lightweight cotton clothing. If you wear a hat to protect your face from the sun when you're outdoors (smart!), be sure to wash it regularly. You'll also want to pay attention to potential breakout triggers. For some people, the combination of summer sweat and chlorine, saltwater, and/or sand can cause skin problems.
Addressing specific skin concerns for summer
Some skin issues, like acne, may occur more frequently or with more severity in the summer. Some common hot-weather skin issues and solutions include:
- Acne: When you're done exercising, blot sweat away with a clean towel. Wash headbands and towels every time you use them.
- Dry skin: Consider turning off the AC at night, as it can dry out your skin. Turn down the temperature of your showers or baths to help your skin retain moisture.
- Heat rash: Blocked sweat glands can cause heat to build up in your body, resulting in a prickly-feeling rash. Wearing loose-fitting clothes and staying indoors when it's especially hot outside can help.
- Melasma: A condition that causes some areas of the skin to appear darker, melasma often gets worse with sun exposure. Be sure to use fragrance-free sunscreen, as fragrance may cause melasma to darken.
If you're having persistent summer skin issues that don't respond to home remedies, reach out to your healthcare provider for evaluation and treatment.
Evidation: Helping You Glow All Summer Long
At Evidation, we use the health data you're already tracking (with your permission) to provide you with the personalized information and insights that you need to be your healthiest, happiest self. We'd love to show you what we're all about. Click here to download the app and learn more about how you can get started.
