Summer Beauty: Skin-Care Tips for Healthy, Glowing Skin

Reader Contribution by Shar Veda
Published on May 20, 2016
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We all look healthier and more attractive with a little color on our faces and bodies. But the sun is no joke and skincare in the summer needs to be taken seriously, as damaging UV rays are at their strongest and most harmful.

“Fall, winter, and spring account for around 20 percent of the [UV] exposure that we have,” says Ron Shelton, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, and assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. “Yet, the the bulk of the sun damage happens in summer.”

That doesn’t mean you should stay indoors: just play it smart! There are BBQs to attend, block parties to host, oceans and rivers to play in, mountains to climb, bikes to pedal, trails to run, and all manner of outdoor activities that keep us outside for hours at a time.

Here are six key tips—and a few great products—that will keep your skin healthy, safe and glowing all summer long.

Plan activities during “off peak” sun hours—before 10am and after 2pm, depending on your location. You should never just lie around sunbathing for color; that’s called cooking yourself. I know some women who did that when they were young and now look a lot older than they actually are, and some have had melanomas removed, too. Never intentionally allow yourself to burn!


Hydrate & tone. Hydrosol misters are beauty essentials in summer. These multitasking gems protect skin by allowing moisturizer and sun protection to penetrate deeper, stay longer and work better. Misters also balance pH levels, unclog pores and they are super-refreshing when you feel overheated, irritable or tired.

A few of my favorite hydrating mists are Herbivore Botanicals After Sun Spray, with aloe, mint, lavender and witch hazel, because it’s great for combination skin and after-sun care. Odylique Calming Rose Super Tonic, with rose oil and calendula, which I love for drier or more mature skin. Jane Iredale Pomm Mist, with pomegranate, aloe, white tea leaf, olive leaf, and radish, is great for oily, combination and acne prone skin types. Mukti Organics Rose Blossom Hydrating Mist Toner, with kakadu plum, kangaroo paw and snow flower, is wonderful for mature, dry and sun damaged skin. You can also make your own mist with purified water, a little aloe juice, and a few drops of your favorite essential oils.

Moisturize, liberally, with SPF15+ daily. SPF15 deflects 93 percent of the sun’s burning rays, whereas SPF30 deflects 97percent, reports the American Academy of Dermatology. Oily, combination and acne prone skin types should try Jane Iredale’s Powder Me Dry Sunscreen. It’s water-resistant for up to thirty minutes and comes in translucent, golden and tanned. My teenage daughter loves this one. Since I have dry skin, I prefer to use a lotion because powders absorb oil and cling to smile lines, causing them to appear deeper.

If you are going to the beach, boating or will be outside all day, liberally apply SPF30 all over your body! Wear or bring long sleeves, a hat, sunglasses, and/or an umbrella.

Protect lips, hands and feet. Protect the delicate skin of your lips with Jane Iredale’s SPF15 lip balm, which is available in a variety of shades and has a lemony taste. Iredale uses high-quality botanical ingredients in all of her products, such as carrot seed and avocado oils, lotus flower, green tea, coffee and aloe. Her summer SPF line is one of the best. I also recommend her Hand Drink Sun Protection; it lasts a long time and keeps hands youthful, smooth, and protected.

Lips, hands, and feet are often neglected during sunscreen application and are prime spots for melanoma. Remember these vulnerable areas and keep them protected.


 

Recover & replenish. After a day in the sun treat your skin to a thirst quenching recovery drink. Plain olive, jojoba and coconut oils are fine, but if you want to reap extra benefits try sea buckthorn oil. Weleda’s Sea Buckthorn Body Oil replenishes moisture to the thirstiest skin, protects against sun damage, and slows the aging process. Sea buckthorn and evening primrose are both great options for dry skin. Oilier skin types should try Weleda’s Citrus Refreshing Body Oil or Lavender Relaxing Body Oil, while cellulite-prone skin types might benefits from the Birch Cellulite Oil.

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water. Add lemon, lime and a pinch of sea salt to replenish electrolytes. Use your favorite seasonal fruits to infuse water with great, refreshing flavors to make it more enticing. Eat sweet, juicy fruits—and lots of them! No amount of skin-care product can beautify you if you’re not drinking water and eating wholesome foods.

There you have it my beauties, a few of my favorite skin-care tips and trusted products! I love to hear from you as well, so please feel free to e-mail me any questions or comments.



Shar Veda, Southern Oregon’s Premier Alternative Therapist, offers deep healing through loving touch and compassionate counsel. She is an Ayurveda Lifestyle Counselor & Health Educator, yoga therapist and herbalist. Shar has been blessed to study with leading teachers in Ayurveda, Yoga, and herbalism for 20 years. However, it was her adopted grandma, Doe (English-American and Blackfoot Native), who instilled within her profound appreciation for the supreme power of loving touch, healing arts, and world family. 
Visit her website for a video, full bio, and photos or find her on Facebookand Instagram!

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