Everyone wants to have beautiful, clear, youthful skin. There’s even an entire industry built around that one desire. Given the tendency to let your skin soak up the sun when the weather warms, it’s only natural to have some concerns about how yours looks. Taking good care of your skin is one of the most important things you can do to keep it looking gorgeous. This is especially important during the summer since hot temperatures and sun exposure can do some real damage to your skin.
Protect with Sunscreen
UV rays can cause the skin to age prematurely and contribute to the formation of wrinkles. Not to mention the red burns they leave after some fun in the sun. We want you to have fun but make sure to take some steps to protect your skin! No matter your complexion, you’ll benefit from regular sunscreen use. Without sunscreen you are vulnerable to the UV rays emitted by the sun.
Sunscreens have an SPF rating, or a sun protection formula rating. This rating indicates how much longer it would take you to burn than if you didn’t have sunscreen. If you were to use a sunscreen with 30 SPF, it would take 30 times longer to burn than if you didn’t use it, assuming correct application. So, the higher the SPF, the better. Right? Yes, but it’s not the only thing to look for.
Aside from SPF, make sure you pay attention to the spectrum. Broad spectrum sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB rays are best.
Using sunscreen isn’t a one and done sort of thing. Carefully read and follow the directions on the sunscreen about how to use it. If you don’t use it as directed, you aren’t going to get the protection it can offer. Take note of whether it’s water resistant or waterproof too. So don’t worry about lathering up more than once! I’d rather be a little pink in the cheeks now than have a sun-scorched and peeling body for the rest of the summer.
Moisturize and Hydrate
Moisturizing your skin helps regulate your moisture levels. This makes it easier to avoid overly dry or oily skin, which helps keep it clearer and less prone to acne. Using moisturizers and lotions isn’t the only way to keep your skin hydrated though. Make sure you’re taking in enough fluids too. Drinking enough water helps your skin maintain an adequate blood flow and appear plumper with greater elasticity. That means that any wrinkles you have are likely to be less visible. So, drink up!
Support with Supplements
Your skin needs nutrients in order to look healthy and beautiful. Specifically, you need to have an adequate intake of vitamins C, D, E, and K. This can be done by consuming foods rich in these vitamins or taking supplements.
Vitamin C has antioxidant properties and helps with collagen production, both of which help keep your skin looking youthful. Vitamin C is commonly found in citrus foods, as well as strawberries, broccoli, and spinach.
Vitamin D helps with the creation of healthy cells, including skin cells. It’s easily made within your own body through exposure to the sun. If you want to use sun exposure to synthesize vitamin D, 10 minutes outside in direct sunlight should do the trick. If spending time in direct sunlight without sunscreen isn’t a good option for you, vitamin D fortified foods like many fish such as salmon, tuna, and cod can be good sources.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant, like vitamin C. It helps protect the skin against sun damage by absorbing UV light when it hits the skin. Vitamin E is produced through sebum and helps keep the skin moisturized. Nuts and seeds can be a good source for vitamin E.
Vitamin K helps your blood clot when you have an injury. This is an essential function in the healing process. Vitamin K may also help with things like stretch marks, scars, dark spots, spider veins, or circles under your eyes. Foods such as spinach, lettuce, kale, cabbage, and green beans can be great sources of vitamin K.
Facial Oil for the Win
Did you know that essential oils can also improve the appearance of your skin?
Our Facial Oil is designed with your skin’s health in mind. Frankincense, elemi, carrot seed, tangerine, cypress, lavender, lemongrass, geranium, rose, sandalwood, myrrh, neroli, ylang ylang, turmeric, patchouli, anise, jasmine, and helichrysm essential oils combined in a product designed to protect, balance, and clarify your complexion. There are also some carrier oils like jojoba, almond, argan, tamanu, and arnica. Oh, and it has vitamin E and sea buckthorn too!
Your skin is your body’s largest organ. It provides protection to everything within it. Take good care of your skin so that it can take good care of you. All that care will help it stay looking healthy, beautiful, and radiant no matter what season you find yourself in.
