Summer is here and what better time to enjoy the outdoors! But with high humidity, scorching temps and harmful UV rays, it’s important you step up your summer skincare regimen, head to toe.
“While summer activities make for a great time, they can also stress your skin and cause it to lose moisture,” says board certified dermatologist Dr. Alexis Stephens. “Your body care routine should cleanse and nourish your skin to help it stay hydrated throughout the day.
“Think of your skin barrier as a leaky bucket. You’re constantly trying to fill it with moisturizers, but things like chlorine and changes in humidity can strip the skin of moisture and contribute to leaks. The best solution to strengthening the skin barrier is to repair the holes in the bucket.”
Dr. Stephens has four simple tips to maintain healthy, hydrated skin this summer:
1. Block the burn
There is a myth where we don’t need to wear sunscreen. But, it’s critical to apply sunscreen daily. Sunscreen helps protect skin by blocking the sun’s harmful UV rays. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher, water resistant and has broad-spectrum protection (meaning it protects against UVA and UVB rays). Remember to apply to all skin exposed to the sun, not just your face, and reapply approximately every two hours when outdoors.
According to the American Cancer Society, the estimated five-year melanoma survival rate for Black patients is only 70% versus 94% for White patients. Today, there are a number of sunscreens, moisturizers and lotions with SPF geared specifically toward Black skin. Be sure to check out Black Girl Sunscreen, MELĒ, Fenty Hydra Vizor SPF 30 Sunscreen Moisturizer, Kinlò’s Summer Skincare Collection, Cay Skin’s Isle Glow face and body lotions, UNSUN mineral tinted face sunscreen and Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35 by EleVen by Venus Williams.
2. Cleanse and nourish
Staying hydrated during the summer months is also important. You may shower more frequently during the summer months, so it’s important to use a hydrating body wash that doesn’t strip the skin. Consider switching to lighter cleansers and adding serums like vitamin C or hyaluronic acid for extra protection.
3. Seal the deal
After you shower with a hydrating body wash, lock in that moisture with a nourishing body lotion. You want to look for lotions that are nutrient-rich, fast-absorbing and lightweight, making it ideal for summer.
4. Get that H2O glow
Drinking water is essential to look and feel your best any time of year, but it’s especially important during warm or hot weather. As temperatures rise and you’re active outdoors, your body dehydrates faster. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to make up for this loss and strengthen cell membranes, including those in the skin, helping to maintain skin health and overall wellness. Also, eat hydrating fruits including watermelon, pineapple, blueberries and plums.
“We’re all eager to bask in the summer excitement, but we should first remember to take care of our skin,” says Dr. Stephens.