Summer Skin Care - Top 6 Q&A's
It’s finally summer! Our skin reacts differently to the drier summer conditions, longer days and more sun. We polled our favorite customers and asked them what pressing questions they had about summer skin care. Read on before you go out into the sun!
Q: (from Carolyn) “Should I be using a daily moisturizer with SPF or putting sunscreen on my face as needed when I plan to be in the sun?”
I do believe in sunscreen everyday! If you’re in the office, wear a lightweight sunscreen. My go to in the Naturopathica Lavender Moisturizer SPF 17. This is a great nourishing moisturizer with micronized Zinc Oxide to help guard the skin from UVA/UVB damage. Turmeric Root helps prevent sun spots while fragrant Lavender calms irritation and soothes the senses. My play all day in the sun, sunscreen for my face, is Naturopathica Daily UV Defense SPF 50 or Juice Beauty Sport SPF 30 Sport Sunscreen if you plan to really play hard.
Q: (from Nicole) I’m starting to do a mask or peel 2x/week - is this mask going to make my face more sensitive to the sun?
Yes it can! The peel is like an insta facial in a jar or a reset to the skin. The peel helps to remove any excess build up that has collected on the skin from product, sunscreen etc. I always recommend doing the peel at night and use sunscreen the following morning especially if you will be outside. Peels are very skin specific, so it’s hard to recommend one for everyone, but I really like the Pumpkin Purifying Enzyme Peel, it’s great for dull or congested skin. These things can happen a lot in the summer.
Q: (from Haley) How should I change my skin care routine if I'm sunburned? (hey, nobody is perfect!) -- should I use a peel, more moisture, aloe vera, put ice on it or leave it alone?
“When ultraviolet radiation from the sun reaches the skin, it damages the skin cells and causes mutations in their DNA. Our bodies have a lot of amazing mechanisms to prevent and even correct these mutations,” George says. “But if the skin cells get more UV exposure than they can handle, the damage may be beyond repair, and the cells die off. Blood vessels dilate to increase blood flow and bring immune cells to the skin to help clean up the mess. All this causes the redness, swelling and inflammation we associate with a sunburn.” source
If you get sunburned it is important to take extra special care of your skin, and help those skin cells repair as fast as possible. Hydration and healing is key! I always have an aloe plant in the house for sunburns or skin irritation. Cut a leaf off and keep it in the refrigerator and apply to the area daily. Cleanse with the Aloe Cleansing Gel and moisturize with the Calendula Essential Hydrating Cream. Lay off the exfoliation and keep your routine simple until the skin has healed. Lavender oil is also great for sunburns. Stay really moisturized to keep the skin from peeling.
Q: (from Tom) After a facial from you, how long should I wait til sun exposure?
Depends on the facial, but I usually recommend 24-48 hours. Because your skin has just been exfoliated, it is more sensitive and vulnerable to the sun’s harmful rays. If you have to go out in the sun, be sure to wear sunscreen and a hat! Also, after a facial.. don’t pick at your skin, use heavy makeup or go to the sauna or gym. Keeping all this in mind, it’s probably a good idea to schedule your facial at a time that works well in your schedule.
Q: (from Irene) How much water should I drink every day to keep my skin hydrated?
I always say cut your weight in half and add 10 more ounces. So, if you weigh 140 lbs, you should drink 80 ounces of water a day. This is approx. 0.7 gallons - so almost a full “jug of milk”. That might seem like a lot, but if you get a waterbottle that’s 10 ounces and aim to refill it 8 times/day. Tell your co-workers or your family that you’re working on increasing your water intake or make it a competition. How do you know if you need more water? If you lips are dry, this is the first sign of dehydration. Or if you’re thirsty, you’re probably dehydrated.
Q: (from Jackie) Sometimes I’ll go to the beach and wear white long sleeves instead of applying sunscreen. Is wearing long sleeves as good or better than wearing sunscreen?
“Any clothing can be considered sun-protective if it covers the skin, and pieces in darker colors, tighter weaves and synthetic fabrics are all better at blocking harmful rays than lighter, loosely woven clothes of natural fibers, said Dr. Joshua Zeichner, an educational spokesman for The Skin Cancer Foundation.
Some UV-protective clothing is given its rating based on its fiber density and structure, including, for example, its thread count per inch. Other pieces are pre-treated with a UV-inhibiting ingredient.
But are we better off slathering on sunscreen or donning sun protection clothes? Assuming protective outfits cover most of the skin, they win hands-down at absorbing rays and stopping them from hitting the skin, Ziechner told MyHealthNewsDaily.” source