The Dos and Don’ts of Summer Skin Care

By Sarah Baker
Edited by Lara Medic

Welcome to summer, where it’s hot and does a number on our skin. Between the sun, and the shaving, waxing, and moisturizing, sometimes we just don’t know what to do. There are so many conflicting “truths” about skin care in the summer that you’re probably just as confused as I was. Concerned that instead of protecting and helping my skin, I was damaging it, I did some research to find out what are the dos and don’ts of summer skin care.

Dos

1. Moisturize. DO moisturize, especially your face, lips, and legs. The best time to do this is right after the shower while you are still damp. Damn skin absorbs the lotion quicker and helps to lock it in and keep you hydrated. Make sure that you use a light weight summer moisturizer.  

2. Wear sunscreen. DO sunscreen and often! Make sure that you are reading the label and applying at least every two hours or after towel drying.

3. Scrub. DO use a sugar or salt scrub. This will remove dead skin cells. Make sure that you aren’t scrubbing too hard, gently rub it on your body as to not dry out and damage your skin.

4. Self-tan. DO use a sunless self-tanner to build you glow gradually. This also helps with a base glow so that the sun doesn’t directly hit your winter body that hasn’t seen sun in months. 

5. Pedicures. DO get regular pedicures. This will help to keep your feet smooth and relieve that dry, cracked feet of summer. It’s recommended in the summer getting one every week to once a month, depending on the amount of damage you do to your feet.

6. Hydrate. DO a drink 8 glasses of water a day and eat a diet rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids. These promote clear, healthy skin and help to flush out the toxins. 

Don’ts

1. Hot showers. DON’T take really hot showers. For one, it’s really hot outside so coming in and taking a hot shower isn’t great for you anyway. Hot showers can also dehydrate your skin. 

2. Skip workouts. DON’T skip your workouts. I know it’s hot out and by the end of the day, we’re exhausted, but we have to keep with it. Doing an aerobic workout at least 3 times a week is great for circulation which is great or skin and will give you a healthy glow. If you don’t have the energy to do it at the end of the day, try waking up a little earlier to start your day off on a healthier foot. 

3. Sunbathe. DON’T sunbathe. I know we all want the summer glow, but sunbathing is really bad for you. Besides causing cancer, the sun can really dry out your skin. Spend little bursts in the sun to avoid getting burnt but still getting the glow. Also, the sun-less moisturizers and tanners are great to combine with some real sun for a beautiful, healthy glow. 

4. Tight clothes. DON’T wear tight clothes after waxing. This will cause more ingrown hairs and irritation. Make sure your clothes are loose and comfortable to avoid the redness. 

5. Waxing. DON’T over wax or cave and shave. It’s recommended to only go every 3 weeks or when there is ¼ of hair. I know no one wants that regrowth, especially in summer, but going too often isn’t good for your skin. Try a hair minimizing lotion to help it be less visible. 

6. Shaving. DON’T shave right before getting in the water or pedicure. This can cause irritation and dryness to your legs. To avoid this, I recommend shaving the night before and applying a sun-less moisturizer. Your hair isn’t going to grow enough to notice overnight. This not only helps to avoid the irritation, but it moisturizes your skin with a healthy glow. 

7. Sunglasses & hats. DON’T forget a hat and sunglasses. Wearing a hat adds another layer of protection for your face from the sun and the sunglasses help to keep you from squinting which can lead to fine lines and wrinkles. 

Make sure to take the extra time (I promise it’s really not that much extra) to keep your skin healthy, moisturized, and glowing this summer. So keep in mind these dos and don’ts while enjoying the beautiful summer sun.