Top 5 Skin Care Routines for Summer and Anti-Aging

By Theresa Harding

Summertime means relaxing and spending lots of time out in the sun, whether in your backyard, at the beach, or in the pool. It is also a time to take a look at your skincare routine.  I will share with you my top 5 skincare routines for summer and antiaging skin.  Even if your concern is only in basic anti-aging skin care, a complete anti-aging skin care routine should be considered. 

It is time to lighten up your clothing to avoid sweating more, and through this, you get more exposed to the sun.  Relaxing under the sun may seem harmless, but sun rays are known to bring about sun damage, uneven skin, or even redness when exposed for length of time.  An effective summer skin care routine is essential during the summer time. 

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It is common to find people using various sunscreen and anti-aging products to protect and moisturize their skin.  I like to buy skincare products specific to the season.  My absolute favorite sunscreen for the summer months is effective for melanin-rich skin tones. 

Below are 5 summer skincare regimens that you can practice.  I find them to be quite simple, but back to the basics; a practice some of us seemed to have moved away from:

Moisturizing Skin Care Routine

The skin gets dehydrated quickly during summer; hence a moisturizing skin care routine is needed.  Choose a moisturizer that is lighter than the one you would use during the winter and fall seasons, but leaves your skin feeling fresh and relaxed. 

When you buy skin care products for the summer skin care, They should contain an SPF component of at least 30 to provide a high level-broad spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection while at the same time moisturizing.

The best summer skin care products don’t need an SPF greater than 50.  Choose a moisturizer that contains plant stem cells and antioxidants as it protects against aging.

Exfoliating Skin Care Routine

Exfoliating is a good summer skin care routine which should be done once or twice a week to clear away impurities on the skin and rejuvenate it.   I like to exfoliate my skin twice a week in the shower with my favorite body scrub by Shea Moisture.  It smells so yummy!  During the summer, the skin is a bit oilier than usual, so exfoliating will leave the skin fresh and radiant as it opens the pores.

Don’t overdo it!  You can also use the best summer skin care products, which are usually homemade scrubs, and probably won’t cause you any side effects.  It’s also important to continue exfoliating your skin even when the seasons change into the Fall season to prevent dryness.

Exfoliating skin care for men should not be overlooked, as it can reduce wrinkles and remove any dry patches on the skin.  As explained by grooming expert Lauren Rachel of MensHealth.com, guys should exfoliate twice a week, preferably before shaving.  So men, this routine is not only for women.

Health Benefits of Drinking Water

There are any health benefits of drinking water and I’ve listed a few of them in this section to help you understand the importance of drinking water.  According to an article written by UW Health, if your skin is lacking in sufficient amounts of water, the lack of hydration will contribute to dry, tight and flaky skin. Dry skin has less resilience, suppleness, less detoxification, and is more prone to wrinkling.

This does not account for external use of water on the skin, but this also counts for internal use of water, that is, drinking your water is just as important. There are  many health benefits of drinking water and one of them is certainly drinking plenty of water.  Hydration is key to healthy skin, hair, nails and collagen production which also benefits the appearance and suppleness of the skin.

Many people do not get enough water daily, even when the standard amount of drinking water that one should consume is 8 glasses of water daily.  That requirement is usually not met by many. 

 During summer, the body and skin need constant hydration hence, increasing your need to drink more water.  Water keeps the skin glowing and moist, plumps up the skin cells and cleanses the body of toxins and any unwanted waste.  Staying hydrated reduces the chances of the fine lines and wrinkles developing.  

Without the help of water in your diet, Even the best summer skin care products will not be effective.  You may choose to drink a cup of green tea to quench your thirst, as tea is quite beneficial for your skin as it contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Green tea has epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which protects the skin from sun damage.  If you need more EGCG, you could also take a Green Tea Extract.  This is one that I’ve taken in the past.  It’s easier to take because it’s in a liquid form, which is quicker to absorb than in pill form.

Here’s a good read that really opened my eyes about the importance of drinking water is written by Dr. F. Batmanghelidj.  You can check that out for more on how to get water in your diet healthfully.

Skin Care and Diet

Skin care and diet can go a long way in promoting healthy skin.  If your diet is low in water, and high in greasy, oily, toxic-laden processed foods, it will show in the appearance of your skin.  Choosing foods that will promote smooth, radiant skin is a must. 

This means eating foods that are clean, water-rich, healthy and balanced.  Avoiding refined sugar from processed foods, fried foods, fast foods, and even dairy can cause a negative effect on the appearance of your skin.  Consuming mostly vegetables and fruits that are rich in antioxidants will protect the skin from the UV rays and are also good for the health of the skin.

Consider eating fresh foods rather than foods that contain chemicals, preservatives, and artificial colors, as they tend to aggravate the skin while accelerating aging.  This is not to be included in your summer skin care routine. 

Sun Skin Care

The UV rays from the sun cause skin damage, as it destroys the elastin and causes loss of collagen, increasing the appearance of wrinkles, drooping skin, and lost jawline.  This happens when you’re exposed to the the damaging rays for prolonged periods of time.  So, avoid spending too much time in the sun.  When you are out in the sun, make sure that you have applied sunscreen of at least SPF 30. 

It’s important to consider a post skin care routine to prevent damage to the skin.  Consider using products like a natural Aloe Vera, from the plant itself, or a aloe Vera gel that’s can be used for an after sun care routine.

Cleansing away the impurities from your skin will allow your skin to breathe and remain healthy, especially your face.  Just water alone won’t do the job when your skin is exposed to environmental allergens and toxins daily.  Your skin will need a gentle cleanser that will remove the impurities that could potentially cause clogged pores if not cleansed properly.

Wear protective clothing, walk on the less sunny side of the street, and avoid being under the direct sun when the UV rays are strongest.  These are just the simplest ways I ‘ve learned to protect my skin from the aging process. 

Once you experience sun-damage to your skin, it might be hard to reverse the damage done.  It’s important to protect yourself as much as possible.  So, don’t hesitate to buy skin care products for the summer.

What is your Anti-Aging Remedy?