I’m all about us feeling the BURN, however I want to make sure you aren’t feeling that SUNburn this summer!
A healthy lifestyle consists of taking care of your entire body. When we go to the beach, cookouts, or any outdoor activity - we have a higher risk of damaging our skin. It is important to protect your skin so you can enjoy the sweet summer months without damaging it.
Did you know your skin is the largest organ of the body?! On average, our skin has a total area of around 20 square feet!! Our skin not only protects us from the elements, it also helps regulate our body temperature and permits the sensations of touch, heat and cold.
Our skin is made up of three layers, the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis.
- Epidermis: The outermost layer. This layer provides a waterproof barrier and creates our skin tone. Skin color is created by melanocyte cells which produce melanin.
- Dermis: The layer beneath the epidermis. This layer contains our sweat glands, connective tissues and hair follicles.
- Hypodermis: The deepest layer of our skin which contains fat and more connective tissues.
So what happens to your skin when you get a sunburn?
Typically when we think of a burn, we think of heat. However, its not the suns heat that burns our skin. Have you ever got a sunburn when it's a cooler day? Sunburns are from ultraviolet radiation (UV Rays) damaging the skin. When these rays reach our skin, they damage the cells which causes mutations in their DNA! Say what?!?
When the skin gets more exposure to UV rays than it can handle, our cells begin to die off. The redness, swelling and peeling we typically associate with a sunburn is actually blood vessels dilating to increase blood flow and bring immune cells to the skin to help heal itself! Your sunburn will eventually heal, however some of the surviving cells will be beyond repair. These are the cells that could eventually become cancerous.
The human body is SO fascinating and is constantly working to help us function on the daily. Taking care of your LARGEST organ should be at the top of your list this summer. You cannot reverse sun damage but you can prevent it. Here are my summer skincare hacks to protect your skin and maintain your glow.
SPF, SPF, SPF!
Whatever you do, do not forget your SPF!!!! You have to take sunscreen seriously! It’s so simple and could save your life! There are two types of ultraviolet rays that can damage the DNA in our skin cells. Protecting your skin from both types is important when choosing SPF.
- UVB Rays: Cause sunburns and play a key role in causing skin cancer. The SPF number on sunscreen refers to the amount of UVB protection provided.
- UVA Rays: These rays cause damage that leads to aging and wrinkles. Short UVA rays can cause sunburn. When choosing an SPF look for broad spectrum coverage. This means the sunscreen will protect you from both UVA and UVB Rays.
What does SPF really mean?
SPF stands for sun protection factor and refers to how long the sun's UV rays would take to burn your skin. SPF 30 means it would take you 30 times longer burn if you weren't wearing sunscreen.
For example, an SPF 30 allows about 3 percent of UVB rays to hit your skin. An SPF of 50 allows about 2 percent of those rays through. That may seem like a small difference until you realize that the SPF 30 is allowing 50 percent more UV radiation onto your skin. HOW WILD IS THAT!?
I recommend that you wear at least SPF 30 or higher ALL DAY, EVERY DAY that you’re in the sun. AND it’s true, those days you least expect to get a burn are when UV rays are the most powerful. To protect your skin beyond sunscreen, throw on your favorite hat, cover up when you can, wear your sunglasses and hang out in shaded areas.
Last but not least, DO NOT forget to re-apply!!! The most common mistake people make is only applying sunscreen one time. SPF needs to be your best friend this summer. Carrying a small travel size around with you is a great way to make sure you don't get burnt!
HYDRATION STATION
Our organs are made of cells, and cells are made up of water - so without water, your skin will not hydrate properly. Remember, its the largest organ of the body! It’s recommended to drink half your body weight in ounces of water a day for the body to do its job. Grab one of my 34 Oz BTES Water Bottles today to make hydrating a breeze this summer!
Water keeps your body hydrated and refreshed. It also helps maintain your skin’s elasticity. People who drink large amounts of water are less likely to suffer from wrinkles, and soft lines. YOU HEARD THAT RIGHT! Drink your water, age slower. It's not rocket science! As we get older, it is harder for our bodies to retain water. By drinking more water, we are hydrating our cells and keeping both our body and skin hydrated.
Having enough water in our bodies helps flush out toxins and deliver nutrients to our skin cells, keeping them healthy and functioning properly. Hydrated skin is also less sensitive to germs and other irritants that would normally slip through if your skin lacks moisture!
Who knew water did other things than make your pee clear! Get ready for a radiant, healthy, and a young-looking complexion after drinking all your H2O!
Don't Forget To Exfoliate
Exfoliating is a MUST in every skincare routine! In the summer dead skin cells, dirt, and sweat starts to build up - so it’s time to scrub it off. This will unclog your pores and zap your blemishes to give you a nice summer glow! You don’t have to break the bank to exfoliate - a loofah or homemade sugar scrub will do.
If you do purchase an exfoliating product from the store, make sure to look for AHA's! Alpha-hydroxy-acid makes your skin more sensitive to light, making applying your SPF even more important! Whatever you do, DO NOT OVER Exfoliate!!! Over exfoliation will damage the skin’s protective barrier, leaving it open and inflamed. This will leave it exposed to bacteria, irritation and worst of all, sun damage.
After exfoliation, make sure to follow up with a hydrating moisturizer. This is a food way to sooth and restore your skin. If you don't rehydrate after, your skin will become dry and could become flakey. Not a good look. During the summer months, look for a lightweight moisturizer. Some moisturizers even have SPF included in them! Two birds, one stone, am I right!?
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is important all year around, but especially in the summer. So what exactly does Vitamin C do?
- Helps product collagen. This will improve the texture and appearance of your skin.
- Acts as an antioxidant and removes toxins from the body.
- Aids the body in absorbing Iron.
- Boost your immune system.
- Facilitates quick healing from wounds.
Vitamin C is not something our bodies produce or store, so we must consume it regularly. Great sources of vitamin C include, oranges, strawberries, guavas, broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale and even kiwi. If you are looking for Vitamin C specific to skincare, there are many Vitamin C face serums out on the market.
With its many benefits for skin health, these serums will brighten your skin, stimulate collagen, improve circulation and also heal any surface damage. Vitamin C serums can typically be used with all skin types, however always consult your doctor if you have sensitive skin or have had skin issues in the past. Remember those AHA's I mentioned earlier. These can also be found in serums. If that's the case, make sure to use your sunscreen!
Vitamin C is crucial for a fully functioning immune system. It plays an important role in your connective tissues, heart and blood vessels. Consuming enough Vitamin C through fruits and vegetables will have many positive impacts on your overall health and skin this summer.
Home from the beach, now what?
Just like how that post workout recovery shake is beneficial to your workout, after sun care is GREAT for your skin. If you get a little pink on the beach, it’s not the end of the world, though it’s important to treat your skin after the sun. Applying aloe when you get home will help revamp your skin.
Covering yourself in aloe after the sun is a great practice. It contains antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, and is anti-inflammatory. It’ll relieve the pain of your burn! Aloe also has a high water content so will rehydrate your skin and keep you feeling fresh.
We all want to look our best, especially in the summer months when we are rocking our bikinis and mini skirts! BUT, this can't happen if we are walking around with red, blistered, flakey skin! I hope my summer skincare hacks help you have beautiful glowing skin this summer.
Want to feel your best and start seeing results ASAP?! Join this months challenge to get started with your workouts.
What are some of your summer skincare musts?! Let me know in the comment section!
Love you lots,
xoxo Rebecca
