Summer Skin Care Tips: How to Prepare Your Skin for the Sun

Summer is just around the corner and long, languid days under the sun await us. Just make sure your skin doesn’t get the bill for all that summer fun. Do not go into the sun unprotected and prepare your skin for the first rays of the sun. This is how you make your skin summer proof! Check our skincare tips for summer.

Why it’s important to prepare your skin for summer

During the summer months, the sun is more powerful and we spend more time outdoors. Your skin is therefore (much) more exposed to harmful UVA and UVB radiation during that period. This radiation can cause premature aging, sunburn and even serious diseases such as skin cancer. Prepping your skin in advance can reduce your risk of sun damage and keep your skin healthy and radiant all summer long.

Skin care tips for summer

Follow these summer skin care tips and prepare your skin for the sun:

Exfoliate: exfoliate your skin regularly to remove dead skin cells, revealing a fresh layer of skin that absorbs moisturizers and sunscreen better. Exfoliate your skin once or twice a week with a gentle scrub or exfoliating brush. It is also important to exfoliate in the summer months. That is sometimes skipped for fear of ‘scrubbing off’ the beautiful brown tint. Still, it is better to keep exfoliating regularly in the summer (read: exfoliating in the summer), so that your skin remains nice and smooth and the tan you apply is fresh and even.

Hydrate: The summer heat can dry out the skin. Use a light, non-greasy moisturizer to keep skin hydrated and prevent dryness.

Sunscreen: this is an absolute must on which you cannot compromise. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays. Apply generously thirty minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two hours or after swimming or perspiring.

Drink enough water: Drinking plenty of water maintains your skin’s natural moisture balance, keeping it healthy and radiant.

Balanced diet: Go for a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to keep your skin healthy. Foods such as berries, green leafy vegetables and oily fish can help protect the skin from oxidative stress caused by sun exposure.

Get enough sleep: a good night’s sleep allows the skin to repair itself and create new cells. Try to sleep at least 7-8 hours every night.

Recommended products for sun-clear skin

To prepare your skin for summer, these products should be part of your routine:

Gentle exfoliant: Use a gentle, non-abrasive exfoliant to remove dead skin cells without causing irritation. Also look into chemical exfoliants such as AHA (for skin aging) and BHA (young skin, acne).

Light moisturizer: Use a light moisturizer to keep your skin fresh and hydrated during the summer months.

Broad spectrum sunscreen: Invest in a high-quality sunscreen to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays. Check carefully on the packaging whether your cream indeed protects against UVA and UVB.
The SPF refers to protection against UVB. An SPF 50 is very high, SPF 30 is high, SPF 25 to 15 is medium, and SPF 6 to 10 is low. It is recommended to use at least an SPF 30.
You can recognize UVA by the designation UVA. It must be at least 1/3 of the UVB factor. If there is a circle around the letters UVA, the product is approved for this.

Care after the sun: soothe and regenerate sun-exposed skin with a refreshing, restorative after-sun product.

Sun creams

When it comes to sunscreens, you have a choice between one physical and a chemical filter. A physical (or mineral) filter lies on your skin, a chemical filter penetrates your skin. Physical filters usually contain zinc and titanium dioxide. These minerals sometimes want to put a white or grayish glow over your face. This is not the case with chemical filters that often contain oxybenzone or avobenzone, but they can irritate sensitive skin more quickly. There is also a discussion about the safety of chemical filters. But both types of filters would adequately protect the skin against the sun. What you ultimately choose depends on your skin type and personal preference. Just don’t forget to protect your skin!

Summer proof!

Take care of your skin day after day, drink plenty of water and don’t forget to always apply sunscreen when you go outside. With these tips, you’ll be ready to enjoy your well-deserved summer vacation with healthy, radiant skin.

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