Welcome back to the continuation of Summer Heat Skincare.
In the Summer Heat Skincare part I post, we discussed the damaging effects of excessive sun exposure. In this post, we will focus on how to prevent such damage.
Wondering why you should take my advice? I am talking from experience.
From the age of 23 to 27, I worked at a luxury hotel as the hostess of the beachfront [outdoor] restaurant. During this time of my life, I was not aware of all the negative effects of day to day sun exposure. An umbrella was sometimes offered to cover me from the sun, but the luxury of shade was more so for the guests. My ignorance was at an all time high. I never applied sunscreen, a hat was not worn, water consumption was at a minimum, and I stood directly under the sun from 10 AM till 6 PM. Need I say more?!
My skin was healthy and youthful looking with just a couple of teen acne scars. I didn't think any of those signs of sun damage would ever appear. Once I turned 30, hyperpigmentation started emerging on my upper lip. Two years later, more uneven skin tone started appearing on my right cheek and forehead. This is due to all the sun damage I caused myself for 4 years working and partying under the sun irresponsibly. In my late twenties, I became obsessed with learning how to protect and treat my skin. This topic is still a passion of mine as I have always suffered with my skin in some way or another. Acne as a teen, sun damage in my 30's.
With personal experience and learned knowledge combined, I feel very confident in sharing the provided information/advice. So ladies, let's get started with our lesson.
Wear Sunscreen:
This is the most obvious of all tips. Apply sunscreen! The trick is knowing what to look for in a sunscreen.
1: Look for a sunscreen with all 3: SPF, UVB, UVA. These are the sunrays that cause damage. Check out Summer Heat Skincare I blog post for more info on these bad boys.
2: No more & no less than 30. SPF 30 if the perfect amount of protection. Anything less is too little. Anything more is just full of chemicals aka toxic. So stay away from those SPF 100 <<< they're practically poison.
3. Use a clean & toxic free brand that is safe for you and the ocean. Did you know that years of humanity using sunscreens full of harmful chemicals have caused extensive damage to the ocean and marine life? This includes the bleaching of coral reefs which eventually causes their demise. Nonprofit organizations have been helping to restore/replant coral reefs, but it is our responsibility to make sure these reefs stay healthy.
< this image was found on the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration US Dept of Commerce webpage. The link to the article Skincare Chemicals and Coral Reefs has further details about this subject:
For a list of safe sunscreens, clink the link below for Travel & Leisure's latest recommendations on How to Know If Your Sunscreen Is Killing Coral Reefs — and the Brands to Try Instead written July 9, 2020 by Rebecca Carhart & Dobrina Zhekova.
I also recommend using a brand that is Cruelty Free. My absolute favorite brand and the one that I recommend to everyone is Babo Botanicals. Below you will see all of their certifications and awards. Check out their products at www.babobotanicals.com.
Start Early:
Protecting your skin has no age restriction. Start now! The earlier you start, the less damage control you'll need to do later.
Mommy's, please take care of your baby's skin and teach them to do so as they grow.
Note: Babo Botanicals has a baby skincare line.
Accessorize: wear a hat, sunglasses, & white clothing:
Don't leave sunscreen to do all the protective work. When spending excess hours out in the sun, you will need more than just sunscreen.
Wear a hat to protect your face. This is extremely important when your using anti-aging and/or acne facial treatments. Use a Facial Sunscreen to protect your face from the sun; it is designed to handle more sensitive skin unlike body sunscreen. Don't forget your lips and ears.
Wear sunglasses to prevent the uncomfortable sun glare. Plus, squinting is not a good look on anyone and causes fine lines aka wrinkles when done often.
Wear white clothing to bounce off the sun's light. Wearing a light weight & breathable long sleeve button down shirt will help avoid sun burns. Linen is a great fabric for summer. If you're going out on a boat, consider wearing a linen midi/maxi dress or skirt. Being on a boat that offers little or no shade means that your [front] thighs are going to get constant sun which may lead to a sunburn.
There are also brands that offer UPF clothing such as UV Skinz. Check out their products at www.uvskinz.com.
Fresh Sustenance:
Water, water, and more water! The recommended daily amount of water is 8 glasses a day. During the summer months, add another 2 glasses. When you're hot and sweaty, the body needs more hydration than normal. Drinking coconut water or water with cucumber is very refreshing and provides electrolytes. Drinking alcohol actually dehydrates the body and can cause one to feel sick quite rapidly when drinking under the sun.
Eating fresh fruits also help to keep you energized and hydrated. Snacks such as potato chips only add fat to your diet and definitely don't help with feeling refreshed on a hot sandy beach or pool side lounge chair.
Shade:
Shade is not a luxury, it is a necessity when spending a long time outdoors. If you're going to the beach, make sure to take an umbrella, tent or canopy. Did you know that the suns glare will bounce off the white sand and reflect onto your face? Keep in mind that the body only needs 15 minutes of sun a day to get the recommended dose of vitamin D. If you are somewhere that has indoor access, give the sun and the heat a break every hour or so.
Vitamin D:
Sun bathing can be done responsibly with all the tips mentioned above. This article is meant to teach you about how to protect your skin during the summer months. It is not meant to steer you away from the sun completely. The body actually needs the vitamin that the sun provides. Vitamin D can be absorbed daily within 15 min. That is all the time needed to get what you require medically from the sun. Vitamin D supplements are good too, but getting it directly from the source is better. Don't be afraid of the sun, simply respect it.
When to apply:
One should apply sunscreen whenever they know they'll be exposed to the outdoors and direct sunlight.
Apply sunscreen in the Nude so that you don't miss a spot.
Even though it's cloudy, sunrays are still coming through. Don't be fooled.
When participating in water activities, apply multiple applications throughout the day.
Facial sunscreen is the last product to use on a daily basis. The order goes: toner, serum, oil, cream, sunscreen.
Sunburn Treatment:
Sunburns happen even by accident. The best remedy is Aloe Vera. Cut a piece of Aloe and store it in the fridge. After about an hour, peel it and apply the clear jelly like substance on the burnt area(s). I recommend using aloe and cucumber since both are packed with Vitamin E (a restorative vitamin). Get a large piece of Aloe and a cucumber. Peel both and put in a small blender such as a Magic Bullet. Once it's all smooth, store in the fridge for an hour. Then apply to burnt area(s). Sunburns don't go away in 24 hours, so you'll need enough remedy for a few days. Babo Botanicals and several other brands also offer after sun remedies.
End the day right:
Now that it's been an awesome day under the sun, it's time to pamper our skin. Exfoliate in the shower, but do not exfoliate over sunburnt skin. Pat dry and apply a nourishing body cream and/or after sun treatment. Wear lose fitted sleepwear. Apply a hydrating, antioxidant, and/or vitamin packed mask for 15 minutes. Prep your facial skin with a mist toner. Use a Vitamin C serum to help reverse the sun damage. Then use a facial oil followed by a moisturizer. Drink a glass of water 30 minutes before going to bed. Now your body is ready to be restored while you sleep.
Let me know what if you would add anything to this list in the comments below.
Thanks and see you soon!
XoXo, Mrs. Ladybug
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