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5 Tips to Protect Your Skin This Summer

Introduction

With the summer season finally showing its true colours, it is time to roll up your sleeves and take the measures necessary for protecting yourself from the scorching heat of the sun. 

With summer, comes a wide variety of skin and health issues. But here is the conflict, it is also the season when you can finally flaunt your beach body.

So, what can be done about it? Rule number one is to be aware. Being aware of what is good and what is not for your body and what are the symptoms of some common summer-related health issues is essential. Rule number two is to eat healthily and take care of your skin internally. And lastly, rule number three is to take care of your skin and body externally. 

Temperature fluctuations may prompt a change to your skin. For some, winter brings dry skin and exacerbates conditions like eczema and psoriasis, while the humidity of summer can make skin look very oily, UV protection is very crucial in summers.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

Skin healthy food items to eat during summer

Summer is a tricky season. It is a season when you can enjoy most of the outdoor activities while it is also the season when you have the maximum chance of falling sick. Nourishing your body with the essential nutrients in adequate quantities is very important to boost your immune system and improve your overall well being.

 Eating clean and healthy is also known to provide a natural youthful glow, as a result of all your organ systems working efficiently. Below are some skin healthy food items that you can enjoy during the summer season.

Sunscreen and Hydration are 2 most important things.  During the long days of summer, when the sun’s rays are the most intense, exposed skin is more susceptible to the effects of photoaging, or the premature aging of skin cells caused by ultraviolet (UV) light. In fact, as much as 90% of the visible signs of aging on your skin are a result of sun or UV exposure. This makes sunscreen most important skin care regimen in summer.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Also Read: Sun Baths: Unveiling the Science-Backed Benefits and Risks

5 Tips to take care of your skin during summer

There are several habits you can adopt to keep summertime skin woes at bay. Let us explore some ways we can keep our skin healthy during summer.

  1. Apply sunscreen- Applying sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30, generously to all the exposed parts of your body is essential to protect your skin from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Apply sunscreen for at least 15-20 minutes before stepping out in sun. Do not forget to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours as it wears off with time.
  1. Wear clothing appropriate for the season- Wear loose clothes made of breathable fabric and cover up as much as possible. 
  1. Stay hydrated- Drink plenty of water and other fluids (coconut water, lemonade, buttermilk) to make up for the loss of water through perspiration.
  1. Avoid too much sun- Try to keep out of the harsh rays of the sun as much as possible as too much exposure can cause sunburns, rashes or even skin cancer. Try to avoid direct sunlight during the peak hours of 11 AM to 3 PM.
  1. Follow CEM- Cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize your skin regularly to maintain healthy skin.

The key to healthy and supple skin during the months of summer is to consume nutritious seasonal fruits and veggies and follow a summer-friendly skincare regime. Avoiding too much sun exposure, staying hydrated and taking care of your skin will certainly let you flaunt that youthful glow! 

Also Read: Ice Bath Benefits: Immersive Research Into a Cool Therapy

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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14 Beneficial Tips For Your Dry Skin During Summer

Summertime has come. Even if summer marks the return of sundresses, shorts, and tank tops in your closet, skincare is very important and can be difficult to manage. You want to stay away from heavy creams and lotions that cause your skin to produce more oil, but not using anything makes your skin dry, flaky and weak. Don’t worry! Check out these simple steps to keep your skin healthier this summer!

1: Follow the CTM process

Dust, sun, heat, and dirt can damage your skin, leading to pigmentation and the symptoms of ageing. Therefore, follow a skincare regimen that includes cleansing, toning, and moisturizing to ensure a natural, strong glow.

2: Aloe Vera Gel

Usually use green aloe vera gel on the face and neck. Aloe vera acts as a soothing agent, so it heals and repairs skin cells damaged by excessive exposure to the sun. You can also add aloe vera juice to your morning routine for adequate hydration.

3: Vitamin Rich Food

Add vitamins C and E to your diet, such as watermelons, cucumbers, carrots. These antioxidants help repair the skin and protect the skin from harmful sun rays.

4: Waterlogging

High temperatures can cause internal inflammation, which can lead to dizziness! Keep your body hydrated by using at least two litres of water a day. Avoid drinking too much caffeine and alcohol as it may cause dehydration.

5: Glycerin

Apply a thin layer of glycerin to your face before bed every day. Clean in the morning. Glycerin repairs damaged skin cells and keeps your face hydrated throughout the day.

6: Protect Your Lips

The scorching sun in the summer radiates harmful UV rays and damages sensitive lip tissue. To keep your lips looking fresh and refreshing, apply a rich lip balm labelled with SPF 15 or higher and continue applying every day.

7: Coconut Oil

Do you remember Dadi’s favourite coconut oil? It’s a miracle oil! And there are many ways to use it – apply it to problem areas such as your hands, cuticles, and joints, rub on the skin or add a few tablespoons of coconut oil to your bath! It leaves your skin feeling incredibly soft.

8: Take A Towel Lightly

Indeed, your towel absorbs very well and is soft on your skin. But applying it on your skin vigorously can dry out your skin. Instead, heat after bathing. Let it cool a little and then apply the ointment. In this way, you shut off the excess hydration left on your skin, effectively reducing thirst.

Hyaluronic acid based moisturizer is a very good option to treat dry skin in any season. However internal hydration with lots of oral fluids, fruit juices are equally important.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD2

Also Read: Healthy Skin Tips: Research-Backed Strategies for a Glowing Complexion

9: Use Appropriate Soap

Perfume soaps can irritate your skin, stripping it of its natural oils and causing dryness. Instead, go with natural soaps or bath gels.

10: Say YES To Steam, But NOT In Hot Showers

Take the steam once a week; it will help you open your pores as your skin collects more dirt and oil during the summer. Avoid taking hot rain in the sun as it will dry out your skin even more. Therefore, it is recommended that you use cold water while bathing, it will help your skin to cool down and prevent acne. Take an almond oil massage before taking a shower. Almond oil helps your skin retain water and look clean and hydrated.

Excessive heat and sun exposure without adequate SPF protection can be damaging to your skin barrier and become a cause for dry skin. Sunscreen with adequate SPF is important to use when going out in summer.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.

11: Use Sunscreen

Use sunscreen regularly before leaving your house as it not only protects your skin from harmful UV rays but also prevents your skin from drying out. Buy sunscreen if you have oily skin and go for the moisturizing sunscreen if you have dry skin. Make sure you buy sunscreen according to your skin type, as improper installation can lead to more dullness. Use sunscreen sprays on your skin and hair.

12: Use A Face Packing For Hydrating And Moisturizing

Papaya Facial Pack: Papaya is a natural moisturizer and is known for measuring the moisture content of the skin. It also has anti-ageing properties. Just blend a few pieces out there to make a smooth paste and apply this paste on your face freely. Place large pieces of cotton on your face to prevent sticking to the papaya from dripping. Let it sit for 15 minutes before washing with warm water. Repeat three times a week.

Yoghurt Facial Pack: A very simple yet effective remedyYoghurt Facial Pack is a great way to treat your dry skin in the summer as yoghurt retains moisture and softens your skin naturally. Simply mix one teaspoon of honey with 2 teaspoons of yoghurt and apply this mixture on your face evenly. Let it dry completely, before washing it with water. Reduce as usual. Repeat 2 times a week for a month to get soft, supple, and radiant skin.

13. Exfoliation is Essential 

Dry skin is simply dead skin cells that have not fallen off, the more the build-up on the skin surface the drier your face will feel. This can lead to itchy dry skin which is a pain to deal with. There are a  variety of face cleansers that can slowly get rid of excessively dry skin with daily use while scrubs are also available to remove dry skin thoroughly. Note that chemical scrubs can cause irritation so do a test first to ensure your skin isn’t sensitive to the ingredients. 

14. Shaving Safely 

Shaving your skin without first wetting it is a big no-no. This can lead to very dry skin, breakouts and other issues. Always use a shaving gel or cream and if you do not have either of those, in the worst case even soap is better than nothing. Dry skin can be at a higher risk of infection so be sure to use clean and sanitised razor blades regularly. Of course, be sure to moisturise the skin you have just shaved after you’re done to avoid any dry skin patchiness.

One once said, ”sunshine, refreshment, and clothing” are the essence of summer. So, wrap up and be very good at taking care of your dry skin this summer and show off your beautiful light!

Read more about: 6 Unknown Benefits Of Mango Leaves

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a health care professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

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