Take care of your skin this summer

Sun’s out, and it’s time for some much-needed Vitamin D, beach days and poolside drinks. 

Fun fact, just two years ago, the little village of Vioolsdrif in the Northern Cape broke the record for the highest temperature in SA – over 50 degrees Celsius!

Now that’s hot. 

Which means that your skin bears the brunt of that heat and radiation. So, while you can happily enjoy walks on the beach or summer picnics – take care of your largest organ first. 

Water should be your drink of choice (always, not just in summer). With it being the season of indulgence, you need plenty of water to keep your skin happy. During very hot weather and especially when outdoors when the sun is at its strongest, UV rays can cause a lot of damage. Whatever moisture is in your skin tends to be absorbed by the sunlight, leading to dry and flaky skin. The solution: sunblock and lots of water. 

By the way, alcohol also has a habit of drying out your skin, so go easy on the drinks and try to alternate with a glass of water for every drink. For heat exhaustion and dehydration, keep a handy supply of rehydration sachets. Try these options: Medirite Health Naartjie Flavoured Hydrate Fizzy Effervescent Tablets 10 Pack or Medirite Health Vanilla Flavoured Hydration Powder 14g.

After spending the day at the beach, give your skin some tender loving care. All that sun exposure, sand and salty water are dehydration culprits. Take a cool shower and then apply a moisturising after-sun lotion, like Bioderma Photoderm Max Cream SPF50+ 40ml.

Try to set aside a bit of time each week to pamper your skin. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate and expensive spa session; you can easily nourish your skin at home. Use homemade or store-bought face masks that will help to moisturise and restore skin balance from daily stressors like germs and pollution. Here’s a good option: Uriage Eau Thermale Water Sleeping Mask 50ml.

Summer, winter or any season in between – never leave home without applying sunblock. Sunscreen is essential because it contains a sun protection factor (SPF) that indicates its level of strength in being able to protect against the UVB rays, which are cancer-causing elements. Apply sunscreen anytime you’re outdoors. Try: Vichy Capital Soleil SPF50 Face Fluid Dry Touch 50ml.

Good to know 

• Even if you have darker skin, you are still at risk for skin inflammation, skin cancer and other side-effects of constant sun exposure. Always use sunscreen. 
• Your skin needs sunlight to help manufacture Vitamin D, so try to get some sun exposure at least every other day. 
• You can help keep your skin healthy by cutting down on sugar and salt, drinking plenty of water and getting enough rest. Focus on making your skin healthy from the inside out. Also, try to eat more green vegetables each day – spinach, kale, broccoli etc. contain substantial vitamins and minerals that boost skin health.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, and usage of any medication.