summer

Guest post by Helen Moore 

Summer brings the usual issues that overwhelm the skin like peeling sunburns, bug bites, or oily and sweaty skin.  It’s a tricky balance to care for the skin during the summer and we’re probably not aware of the mistakes we make.

1. Over-exfoliating and washing the face Since the summer heat and humidity can makes us sweat more, it makes the skin feel oilier. This can be so unsettling for some people that they tend to over-cleanse the face and increase the number of times the exfoliation is done. This essentially strips the skin of its natural oils which causes the skin to overproduce oil exacerbating the problem.

• Solution: Keep your cleansing routine the same — wash in the morning and cleanse at night. Limit exfoliation to twice a week. Continue to moisturize because without adequate hydration, skin may over produce oil. If necessary, blot wipe it with a clean cloth.

2. Foregoing Sunscreen Despite its popularity, some people are still not in the habit of applying sunscreen. It’s important to do this even if you don’t have any plans of spending the day at the beach. While some people are not applying sunscreen, others are applying it incorrectly.

• Solution:  Don’t skip this at all. If you go swimming or spend the day outdoors, bring a bottle with you and reapply as needed. Lather a generous amount on skin that’s exposed. Choose a sunscreen with non-nanoparticle zinc oxide. Look for one on the Environmental Working Group’s list of safe and effective sunscreens. Ava Anderson Non Toxic tops their list.

3. Failing to stay hydrated While refreshments, such as a cold glass of juice, quench the thirst and relieves our body from the heat, our skin also needs the same kind of treatment inside and out. It’s not enough that you drink lots of water, especially during this season.

• Solution: Eat fruits and vegetables that are rich in water content to supplement what you may lack with drinking just water. Put on lotion and moisturizers so that the skin absorbs this, preventing flakes and dryness that commonly happens during summer.

4. Disregarding care of the feet Feet are exposed to a lot of free radicals and irritants during the summer because people wear sandals and flip-flops a lot, or walk barefoot in the sand.  With so many activities, care for the feet is often overlooked, when it should be given attention, as this is when cracks and dryness often occur.

• Solution: Don’t ever forget to moisturize and exfoliate the feet. Make this part of your skin care routine. One other thing you can do is apply moisturizer, such as extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil at night and then wear socks. This may be a bit too warm to do in the summer, but try at least three times a week.

What is your summer skin care routine? Share your tips in the comments below. 

The summer season can also trigger a yeast infection. Know what factors cause this and what you can do to prevent or treat yeast infections using natural ingredients by visiting YeastInfectionsAdviser.com.