Summer time gives you an opportunity to spend time outdoors. However, excess sunrays cause damage to your skin. Ultraviolet rays from the sun cause tanning, freckles, dryness, premature aging and wrinkles on your skin. During this period, natural skin oil flows freely. This makes it to appear dull, oily and blemished. Skin tans due to melanin produced by the body to protect inner layers from sun damage.
Prolonged exposure to sunlight can also lead to melanoma. Sunrays are harshest at around 11a.m to 4p.m. Avoid going out in the sun if possible. However, you don’t have to stay indoors. There various ways you can prevent your skin from sun damage.
1. Use of Home Remedies Methods
Home remedies are the best methods to protect your face. Their advantage is that they are chemical free, cheaper and affordable. Also, they do not have side effects on your skin. You can use face packs to remove the tan gradually. They include:
- Use of lemon and aloe vera face pack
Lemon is rich in medicinal and cosmetics benefits. It has an antioxidant property and it is also a natural bleaching agent. It contains vitamin C. Aloe vera produces antiseptics that kill any kind of bacteria, fungi and viruses on the skin. When combined, they help to keep your skin glowing and free from germs. They also help to lighten your skin.
- Curd and gram flour face pack
Curd is a dairy product that is rich in calcium, magnesium and nutrients. Besides playing a role in growth of bones, it is also a great exfoliating agent. It eliminates the dead skin and also moisturizes it. Gram flour whitens your skin and also aids in keeping it glowing. When combined they scrub and exfoliate your skin, resulting to soft glowing skin.
- Turmeric Powder, Yogurt and Honey Face Pack
Turmeric powder is an antiseptic agent that is used to treat various skin diseases. Yoghurt is a gel-like dairy product. Honey is used as a moisturizing agent that maintains supple and elastic nature of the skin. Honey is also an antioxidant. This face pack helps to remove tan and moisturize the skin preventing it from drying.
- Sandalwood and Rosewater Face Pack
Sandalwood is useful in treating acne and aging skin. It has soothing and cooling properties that relieve sun tan and severe sunburn. Rosewater is used as a cleanser, toner and gives you a refreshing feeling. The face pack removes suntan in a gentle, nourishing way.
2. Apply Sunscreen
You should apply sunscreen creams or lotions 30 minutes before going out in the sunlight and at intervals of 20-30 minutes while in the sun. Sunscreen for face protects your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. You should select good quality sunscreens from a reliable company. Some sunscreens cause physical and others chemical barrier; they absorbs sunrays. Mineral sunblock’s are chemical free and they contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
Specially formulated sun protection cream should be used by people who spend a lot of time in the sun and those who love swimming. They prevent sunburns and formation of rashes and blisters. Chlorinated water speeds up tanning process. Thus, it is necessary to cleanse your skin after swimming.
3. Observe your Diet
You should always keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Take a minimum of 8 glasses a day. This will keep your body hydrated and moisturized preventing it from drying. It also flushes out toxins. Dehydration causes sluggish complexion, flown lines, dryness and spots on your skin.
Take a lot of fruits and vegetables. They contain a minerals and antioxidants property that helps you to maintain a radiant skin. You should avoid sugary, refined and processed food. Take diet rich in flavonoids to maintain a healthy glowing skin. Use healthy fats in your diet. They are essential in maintain a supple and moist skin.
4. Moisturize your Skin Regularly
You should use a water-based moisturizer that is rich in vitamin E. It tones and moisturizes your skin effectively.
5. Cleanse your Face Regularly
Keep your face clean by washing it with fresh and cold water 3-4 times a day. You should use cleanser with salicylic or glycolic acid. Cleansing prevents breakouts and loosens dead skin allowing it to rejuvenate.
6. Exfoliate and Tone your Skin
Exfoliating helps to shed dead skin layer and sloughs off previous sun damage. It stimulates rejuvenation process. It lightens up sunspots and marks.
You can use natural or synthetic toners to treat oily skin. Toning reduces excess oil, dirt and sebum from your skin surface. They also bind moisture making your skin fresh and cool.
Other tips you should know to keep sun damage at bay
- Prevention is always better than cure.
- Avoid applying perfume on your skin while out in the sun. Psoralen present in them, stain your skin permanently when it reacts with the sunrays.
- Avoid warm showers during the summer period. They dry out you skin.
- Minimize the ultra violet radiations from reaching your skin through wearing sunglasses, hats and other accessories.
Conclusion
Take care of your skin by trying out one of the above tips. Enjoy your summer time to the fullest without being bothered by skin related issues.