Hello,
This is Martha Thomas, head of customer care for Tree of Life Beauty, and I want to welcome you to our blog where we discuss important ways to age gracefully, "how-tos" for keeping skin healthy as you age, and so much more.
This week we will discuss "4 Fast Ways to Prep your Skin for Summer" If you missed any of our past blog posts, please check them out here on our website.
Please be advised that we are not doctors or dermatologists, and this article should not be taken as medical advice or any medical statement. Any questions or issues involving your skin-care needs should be taken up with a physician, and we highly recommend you consult with your doctor before taking up any skin-care regimen.
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The changing seasons and temperatures usher in changes in your skin as well. Your facial skin is highly volatile and subject to the surrounding environment, which can create challenges in changing climates.
Your skin can get especially overwhelmed in the summer. From intense UV rays to the heat and humidity, your skin is easily disrupted by seasonal changes. It’s your job to take the necessary steps to defend your skin from dryness, flakiness, oiliness, acne, and more.
What can you do to prepare your skin for summer?
- Exfoliate regularly.
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells that make skin look tired and dull. Dry skin is common in the winter due to cold, harsh air. Exfoliation can help get rid of those wintertime dry, dead cells to reveal new, summer-worthy skin cells underneath.
A gentle exfoliation can reveal glowing, youthful, fresh skin that will give you a dewy look all summer long.
When to exfoliate:
You should exfoliate twice per week. This helps promote your skin’s natural rejuvenation process without over-drying.
If you exfoliate more frequently, you could exacerbate skin concerns by removing your skin’s natural layers of protection. For some people, over-exfoliation makes skin oilier, and for some it makes their skin dryer.
Do not exfoliate when your skin is sunburnt or sensitive. Some women try exfoliating after a sunburn to avoid peeling, but this can actually worsen your skin condition. This can cause blotchiness, unevenness, and even scarring.
If you have extra sensitive skin over the summer, stick to creamy cleansers like our vitamin C cleanser.
How to exfoliate:
Use gentle scrubs that buff away skin cells. We recommend three types of exfoliating products:
- Sugar scrubs, which are gentle buffers that dissolve on the skin
- Rotating cleansing brushes, which exfoliate your skin using your daily cleansers
- Jojoba bead exfoliators, like you’ll find in our green tea/white tea exfoliator .
- Drink water.
You hear it all the time: drink more water. But water is especially important for skin and health when you’re moving into the summertime.
Hydration keeps your skin looking and feeling fresh. Without proper water, your skin cells start to shrivel up to create a dull, tired appearance.
Dehydration is especially common in the summer when it’s hot and you’re more active. You’re out in the sun all day and you forget to drink water. By the end of the day, you’re exhausted and sick—and your skin is fatigued and breaking out. This is because your body didn’t get enough water to keep your cells healthy and hydrated.
Plus, drinking water is the best way to avoid clogged skin. Water helps detoxify the system by flushing contaminants and toxins from organs and cells. Drinking water can help your skin get rid of any gunk that might be hiding in your pores, helping to minimize acne and fine lines.
Hydration is the foundation to a bright, glowing face. Drink more water and apply a hydrating moisturizer to keep skin healthy.
- Exercise.
Exercise helps your body sweat out toxins. All that water you’re drinking is excreted in sweat, which gets rid of the gunk that your body has been holding on to. This detox process helps minimize acne and fine lines while also giving you more energy.
Exercise can also help minimize cellulite. It works to tighten your muscles and skin, which smoothens the dimples that cause cellulite. Focus on working out those muscles near areas where you have cellulite. Dimples on your bum and thighs? Try squatting. Cellulite on your stomach? Crunch those abs.
Supplement your exercise with an anti-cellulite cream. The natural ingredients help tone the skin, while the massaging movement helps stimulate the skin cells.
- Instead of sunbathing, try self-tanner.
We all love the glow of a healthy tan—but we want it without the harmful effects of the sun. UV rays can cause wrinkles, fine lines, and premature aging.
The best way to get this tan-worthy radiance is with self-tanners. We recommend self-tanners with higher organic content that don’t have any fragrances.
Bonus: Self-tanners last longer if you exfoliate first. Use a full body sugar scrub to get rid of dead skin cells. This opens up the skin cells and makes them more permeable, so your self-tanner will last longer and look more natural.
Conclusion
If you properly prep your skin for summer, you can be carefree, makeup-free, and photo-ready all season long!
What do you do to prep your skin for summer?
Products mentioned: