Summer Skin Care Prep for the Family

With temperatures rising, pools opening and everyone wearing shorts and sandals it can only mean one thing – summer is just around the corner! Some people live for the long summer days and lounging by the pool. But for others, the thought of summer and all that exposed skin just fills them with a sense of dread. If you’re like most people the cold, dry temperatures of winter have taken a toll on your skin. And let’s be honest – who really worries about what their skin looks like under all those layers of winter clothes? We have some tips for the whole family to get your skin summer ready and to stay safe in the summer sun.

Take a Break

We frequently hear about the importance of a good skin care routine, but once in a while your skin just needs a break. If you can manage it, and feel comfortable with it, you might want to consider a skin fast. This is where you take a break from all skin care products for about a week. This includes any cleansers, serums and even cosmetic products. Instead of your normal routine, wash your face with coconut oil every morning and night. This will help restore your skin’s moisture and PH balance and reset your skin before summer. After a week or so, you can resume your normal skin care routine.

Exfoliate

Here at Mambino, we can’t stress the importance of regular exfoliation enough. It really should be a part of your skin care regime but we know it’s the one step most people feel is safe to skip. Especially after a long, dry winter it’s important to exfoliate your entire body to remove all the dead skin cells that have accumulated. Not everyone needs to exfoliate the same way, especially when it comes to your face. If you have sensitive or dry skin, use a gentle exfoliator compared to those who have oily or combination skin. After exfoliating, it’s important to keep your skin hydrated for that perfect summer glow.

Hydrate

Hydration for your body is crucial, and this includes your skin. Especially if you live in a hot, dry climate you’ll have to be extra conscious about applying constant hydration to your skin. However, even people living in a humid climate should be mindful of hydrating their skin, especially if you spend a lot of time in the sun or in the water swimming. If you have a regular moisturizer you like, you may have to change it for the summer to a lighter formula so you don’t clog your pores. You know your skin better than anybody else and can make any changes to your products as you see how your skin responds to the summer weather.

Protect

Now that your skin is ready for beautiful summer days you can’t forget to protect it from the UVA and UVB rays of the hot, summer sun. Most importantly, always use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. It’s best to follow the instructions listed on the sunscreen you choose but the American Academy of Dermatology recommends reapplying your sunscreen every 2 hours unless you’ve been swimming or sweating, at which point you should apply more frequently. If possible, avoid being out in the sun between 10a.m. and 4p.m. These hours are when the sun’s exposure is at its peak and can cause the most damage to your skin. If you can’t avoid the sun during these hours, cover up as much as you can with items like wide brim hats and sunglasses. If you live or are visiting an are with lots of water, sand or snow, protecting your skin is even more important. Even if it doesn’t feel hot outside, the sun’s rays are reflected off all those surfaces and can increase your chance of sunburn and skin damage.

Summer skin prep doesn’t need to be difficult and it doesn’t need to take a lot of time. If you’ve spent most of your life not being concerned with most of these sun precautions, it’s never too late to start. Most importantly, if you have little ones, teach them good skin care and sun protection habits early so that they’re skin will be healthy as they grow into adulthood.