Essential Tips For Healthy & Radiant Skin All Summer Long

The summer means longer hours of daylight and more time outdoors, which is undoubtedly beneficial for our mental and physical health. However, warmer weather and outdoor activities can take a toll on our skin, so it’s important to give it a little extra TLC at this time of the year. Here are some useful tips to keep your skin looking its best.

Stay nourished from within

Most of us naturally start with lotions and moisturisers to improve the condition of our skin, but these products can only penetrate the upper layers of the dermis and do not have a long-lasting effect. To maintain the softness and flexibility of your skin, start by caring for it from the inside out.

This means eating a well balanced diet with a good range of vitamins and minerals, in particular vitamins A, B2, B3, B6, C, D, E, zinc and selenium. These can be found in fruits and vegetables, nuts, low-fat dairy products, pulses and lean meats. 

Stay hydrated

Healthy skin needs a regular supply of water to help it look plump and radiant. In a typical UK climate, this means drinking about six to eight glasses of water a day, but in warm weather or if you are very active you will need more. We lose on average about one and half litres of water through perspiration per hour in very hot weather, for example. 

If you are prone to dehydration because of intense exercise, or are recovering from a cold, Covid or a vomiting virus, adding a rehydration tablet to your water can help you to recover your fluid balance more quickly. 

Look for a product such as ORS tablets, which contain electrolytes. These are essential minerals such as magnesium, sodium, calcium and potassium, and are lost through bodily fluids. They will enhance the rehydration process and also contribute to better all round health, including supple skin. 

Use sunscreen

It’s a message you have no doubt heard many times before, but UV exposure really does cause significant and sometimes permanent damage to the skin. Sun damage can prematurely age your skin, causing darker patches of pigmentation, wrinkles and dryness. It also increases the risk of developing skin cancer.

Look for a sunscreen product with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30 and is broad-spectrum, meaning that it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. In very bright summer sun, cover up with sunglasses, a wide brimmed hat, and loose long-sleeved clothing. Stay out of direct sunlight in the core of the day from 11am to 3pm.

If you take a dip in the pool or the sea, remember to reapply sunscreen, and top it up every two hours no matter what your activity. Don’t forget about those areas such as ears, the back of the hands, the neck and upper chest, which can be overlooked. Apply a generous amount of product and distribute it evenly. 

Have a gentle skincare routine

The air tends to be less dry in summer, so heavy moisturisers may not be necessary. Use a light cleanser to remove all traces of sunscreen from your skin before you go to bed to avoid clogged pores. If you have been wearing makeup, you may want to follow up with a toner or micellar water to fully remove all traces of makeup product.

During the summer, a tinted moisturiser is a useful way to minimise the amount of product you need to put on your face. They can even be combined with some degree of SPF protection, so you will save time when getting ready to go out and your skin will feel less clogged and be able to breathe and perspire more naturally.

This can reduce the risk of irritations and breakouts, and also feels more comfortable and pleasant when you are out and about. If you want to keep it separate, use light serums that are infused with hyaluronic acid or vitamin C rather than dense creams. 

Make time for exercise and relaxation

Our lifestyle has a big effect on the appearance of our skin. Our skin rejuvenates while we are asleep, so make sure that you get as much as you need. If you have problems sleeping, try winding down with a relaxing activity an hour before you go to bed, and avoid caffeine or alcohol, which are stimulants and will also dehydrate the body.

 Exercise promotes good sleep, and also improves the flow of blood to the surface of the skin, helping you to look radiant and healthy.