According to our thermostat, summer has arrived in Austin.
And the change in season brings with it big shifts in humidity, arctic blasts of air-conditioning, and brighter, longer days – all of which have an impact on your skin.
So before you revel in the skin-baring goodness that the Texas summer provides, I urge you to consider making some simple shifts in your beautycare regimen to ensure that your skin glows all summer long.
1) Make friends with H20
It’s no shocker that higher temperatures and more time outdoors lead to internal dehydration, which is counterproductive to healthy, glowing skin. And while you’ve already heard that eight, 8-ounce glasses of plain, filtered water should be your minimum goal for H20 consumption, you may not have heard this:
If you drink caffeinated beverages, you must triple the amount of water you drink!
If you’re looking for a safe, effective and SUPER user friendly way to provide filtered water for yourself and your family all year long, we recommend the Berkey, the World's Most Powerful and Cost Effective Personal Water purification system.
2) When in doubt, reapply!
As much as we’d all love to set it and forget it with our sunscreen, if you’re going to be out in the sun for more than an hour, it’s not enough to just apply one time. Studies indicate that most people do not apply nearly as much daylight protection as they should.
How much should you apply?
Our general rule of thumb is a teaspoon for the face, and a shot glass for the body.
How often should you apply?
We like to re-apply every two hours.
Recommended sunscreen:
For the face: Veritas Bioactives Ultimate SUN Defense SPF30
For the body: Mineral Sunscreen Lotion by Nurture My Body
3) Use your summer skin’s secret weapon
Sunscreen is a must, but did you know: There are SPF rays that can’t be fully blocked by your sunscreen. For an extra layer of protection, choose a product rich in Vitamin C.
Vitamin C limits the damage induced by ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. Though it’s certainly not a sunscreen, the antioxidant activity of Vitamin C protects against UV-induced damage caused by free radicals.
One of our absolute favorite Vitamin C products is the Veritas Bioactives C3 Peptide Complex. This powerful, next-generation antioxidant complex combines peptides, plant-based stem cells, and three potent forms of Vitamin-C for a breakthrough in anti-aging and skin regeneration!
4) Soothe over-exposed skin
Even with the best of intentions and the most effective sunscreen protection, each and every one of us will run into a situation where we get caught off guard and experience a burn.
Unfortunately, once the skin is burned, the damage is already done – But – you don’t have to suffer in pain! Super-soothing botanicals and cooling gels can help prevent peeling and reduce redness and inflammation.
Pro Tip: Apply cooling balms generously over-exposed skin, preferably at the first sight of a pink glow. Our favorite skin-saver is the Veritas Bioactives Royal Blue Jelly Mask.
On a final note: One blistering sunburn can double your risk of melanoma. Remember: It’s important to maintain your skin the same way you do your car: Get consistent skin exams by a skin care professional, and perform a self-examination once a month to detect early warning signs of skin cancer.
5) Exfoliate the smart way
When the seasons change, it’s not always easy to tell what’s best for you skin. In the summer months especially, your skin goes through a lot — from too much sun exposure to elevated temperatures. If you wear layers of makeup and sweat from the heat, you may be familiar with clogged pores or random acne, which begs the question: should you exfoliate in the summer.
We suggest continuing to exfoliate throughout the summer, but notching down the frequency to once per week.
Pro Tip: if you are going to be in the sun for prolonged periods (hitting the beach, playing sports outdoors, etc) we suggest refraining from any exfoliation that day.
Finding an exfoliator that works with your particular skin type is a vital part of your skin care routine this summer. Our favorite product is the Veritas Bioactives Pore Perfecting Polish, which uses bamboo crystals that act as a natural alternative to microdermabrasion.