Summer is the season of sunshine and outdoor leisure activities. After a long and chilly winter, warm sunshine is great and enjoyable for everyone. However, intense sunshine and your sensitive skin are not good friends. Take more care of your skin and you will have a wonderful summer and fantastic skin.
Vitamin D from sunshine will help your bones become stronger. You just need a little sunshine a day for that process. Too much sun exposure can be very counter-productive and even cause winkles, burns and skin cancer. Early morning sunshine is the best for your health. You should avoid sun exposure from 12PM to 2PM because that is the time when sunshine is the most intense.
Don't forget to apply your sunblock before going out. Using sunblock doesn't only help prevent irritating burns caused by intense sunshine but also reduces the risk of skin cancer and cataracts. You should buy sunblock with an SPF number no lower than 15. In fact, you should go for as high a number as possible and remember to apply the sunblock as least 20 minutes before going out as it may take some time to start working.
In a hot summer, your body in general and your skin in particular can easily lose water. Drinking water frequently improves the excretion of your skin and prevents pimples. Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day and drink more if you often have to go out.
If you feel your skin burning after being in intense sunshine, tonic lotion can help cool down your skin and speed up its recovery. Using cleanser and tonic lotion every evening will make your skin fresh and clean, remove dead cells and extra oil which can clog your pores.
You should remember that summer is the season of insects. Be ready for that by buying creams and lotions which can relieve the redness and burning sensation if you are stung by mosquitoes or other insects. You should ask your doctor for advice about what kinds of creams and lotions are suitable for you if you have sensitive skin. If you choose a cream which doesn't suit your skin, the result can be much worse than a sting.
In addition, you should supply your skin with sufficient nutrients to cope with the hot summer. You should eat food which is rich in selenium, beta-carotene, vitamin A, C and E. Selenium can be found in meat, crab, shrimps, cheese, etc. Beta-carotene and vitamin A are found in carrots, egg yolk, fish liver oil, etc. Vitamin C can be found in most fruits, especially in oranges, lemons, strawberries and pineapples. Milk, butter, nuts and vegetables are rich in Vitamin E, which slows down the aging process of your skin.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Skin Care