No matter how your makeup is applied or what makeup products are used the end result will always be better if your skin is healthy and well cared for. With summer just around the corner now is the time to start preparing your skin for warmer weather and sun exposure. Paying attention to your skin before summer begins is essential if you want your skin to look fabulous and be all it can be!
I love summer, its my favorite time of year by far! Summer is definitely the most awaited season of the year for many with its warmer weather, vacations, summer days outside and lots of fun! So its important to remember summer brings a lot of skin care needs as well- Anti-aging needs, moisture needs and preventive cancer needs.
So before I even begin talking about makeup lets focus on skin care! For both women and men to help keep your skin looking fabulous, youthful and be safe follow the tips listed below to help prepare your skin for summer:
~Exfoliating
Exfoliating your skin is a very important step when it comes to skin care as dead skin cells build up on the skin causing the skin to be more prone to developing certain skin problems, plus the skin will not look as soft and delicate as it is supposed to. Mild physical (non chemical) exfoliating products help remove dead skin cells, allowing the skin to receive a soft and delicate look. Be sure to use mild exfoliating products, as harsh products can actually cause micro cuts on your skin. I suggest avoiding natural scrubs, such as those with apricot pits or walnut husks. These grains have sharp edges that can lacerate the skin. Look for micro-beadlets, as they will roll across the skin and not cause irritation.
How often to exfoliate depends on the type of exfoliate being used. General rule is the softer an exfoliant is, the more often you can use it. Some exfoliating scrubs are so gentle that you can use them on a daily basis; many exfoliants designed for the face, for example, are soft enough for daily use. Coarse scrubs which are extremely grainy should be used no more than once a week.
If you're not sure about whether or not you can exfoliate with a particular product, test it on your inner elbow - your elbow pit, where the skin is especially tender. If the scrub causes irritation, it indicates that it may not be a good choice. If no irritation is experienced, you should safely be able to use that product to exfoliate on a regular basis.
I recommend seeing a dermatologist, Esthetician, or any skin care specialist before starting a chemical or acid exfoliant.
~Moisturize
Skin moisturizers allow the skin to receive a soft and silky finish, especially after bathing or the exfoliation process. Not hydrating the skin can cause it to get dry, leaving your skin feeling tight, itchy, looking aged and can be uncomfortable. Moisturizers help prevent that from happening and allow the skin to maintain its elasticity and softness. Although definitely as we age we need to add more moisture to our skin, the age of your skin has no bearing on if you should moisturize or not. Dry skin can and does occur at any age!
Moisturizers are the most effective when applied to warm, damp skin. When you just are getting out of the shower or bath is a perfect time to apply a moisturizer. Make it part of your bathing routine. It is important to have a regular regimen to keep the skin hydrated- use your moisturizer daily. In fact, it is advised to moisturize twice a day or more, depending on how dry your skin is.
When purchasing moisturizers I recommending using one for your body and another just for your face.
The most important thing to consider when purchasing a face moisturizer is what type of skin you have. Everyone needs a moisturizer, but different skin types require different types of products.
It's a common misconception that people with oily skin don't need to use a moisturizer but everyone does.
For face normal to oily skin use a light moisturizer that is water based, and oil-free especially for oilier skin types.
Dry skin should use a moisturizer cream that is heavier.
As you age you will want a moisturizer with anti-aging ingredients.
Putting on a night moisturizer on your face before bed is wonderful. For women it allows you to use a heavier cream without it interfering with your makeup that you would be wearing during the day.
For both face and body sensitive skin be sure to use a moisturizer without fragrances and dyes. Most scented moisturizers use artificial scenting that can be harsh on your skin.
~Protecting Your Skin
Protecting your skin is a MUST whenever exposing the skin to the sun in order to avoid sunburns, dry skin, premature aging or other more severe problems such as cancer. Use SPF products to protect your skin! SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor.
Use sunscreens and lip balms with SPF 15 or higher whenever you go outside, be sun smart!
Many moisturizers, makeup/ foundations, lip balms already contain sunscreen in them. Be sure to look at the ingredient and label.
SPF was developed to describe the amount of protection that a sunscreen provides. No sunscreen can protect your skin from all of the UV rays, but a higher SPF number indicates protection from more rays.
The SPF number tells you how much longer you can stay outside without burning while wearing the sunscreen product as opposed to not wearing any sun protection product. SPF measures “time to burn.”
SPF Number x Time to Burn Without Sun Protection = Time to Burn while wearing sunscreen.
Example: If your skin would burn in 10 minutes in the afternoon sun without any sun protection, and you applied a sunscreen with an SPF 15, you would have 15 x 10 = 150 minutes (2.5 hours) before you would burn.
I recommend reapplying sunscreen after swimming or getting wet, even if the sun screen is water or sweat proof.
Avoid sun exposure and tanning beds to achieve a tanned look. I recommend air brush spray tanning to achieve an all over even, tanned skin tone, which I do myself and its a service I provide to others! Applied properly spray tanning has come a long way, no more orange skin from the past. Its a healthy way to have a summer, "healthy" outdoor, vacation looking tan.
Remember not only is sun exposure dangerous, but it is a huge factor in increasing the appearance in the signs of aging, wrinkling, creases and drying of skin.
If you insist on sunbathing and tanning beds at least use an SPF 15.
Be sure to ALWAYS use sunscreen on children, studies show adults who get skin cancer typically got too much sun when they were kids. Just one or two blistering sunburns in childhood can greatly increase the risk of developing skin cancer in adulthood.
~Drinking Water
The first thing you should keep in mind is that you should be healthy from the inside to be healthy from the outside. No moisturizer will help unless your health is good. Skin is the largest body organ and requires lots of water. Drinking a sufficient amount of water throughout the day helps the skin preserve a necessary moisture balance. This is because water helps keep you hydrated and it also keeps your skin moisturized. Having 8 – 10 glasses per day is really important, that's at least 1.9 litters of water. A tip to be sure you get enough water: fill a 2 liter bottle with water each day and be sure you drink at least one per a day. Don't only drink water when your thirsty.
You can also have fruits that have a high percentage of water in them. Fruits like apple, orange, watermelon, pineapple, etc. are great to eat.
Watch how much caffeine and alcohol you consume, they are both diuretics and tell the body to shed water.
~Vitamins
Vitamins C, E, A, and B complex can all help improve skin health.
Vitamins C & E are among the most important new dermatologic discoveries is the power of vitamins to counter the effects of sun exposure. They help reduce the damage caused by free radicals, a harmful byproduct of sunlight, smoke, and pollution. Free radicals gobble up collagen and elastin, the fibers that support skin structure, causing wrinkles and other signs of aging. When these two vitamins are combined in a lotion, they can be highly protective against sun damage.
If your vitamin A levels are up to already adequate from the foods you eat, adding more probably won't do much more for your skin. That said, if those levels drop even a little below normal, you're likely to see some skin-related symptoms, including a dry, flaky complexion. That's because vitamin A is necessary for the maintenance and repair of skin tissue. Without it, you'll notice the difference. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with vitamin A.
Vitamin B complex; When it comes to skin, the single most important B vitamin is biotin, a nutrient that forms the basis of skin, nail, and hair cells. Without adequate amounts, you may end up with dermatitis (an itchy, scaly skin reaction) or sometimes even hair loss. Even a mild deficiency causes symptoms. It's found in many foods including bananas, eggs, oatmeal, and rice, plus your body also makes some biotin on its own.
Niacin, a specific B vitamin, helps skin retain moisture, so creams containing this nutrient can help your complexion look plumper and younger in as little as six days. Niacin also has anti-inflammatory properties to soothe dry, irritated skin. In higher concentrations it can also work as a lightening agent to even out blotchy skin tone.
~Humidifier
A humidifier keeps moisture circulating in the air, this helps your skin retain it’s natural moisture. After a few days of use you will find your skin is plumper. Fine lines will disappear and skin takes on a smoother more radiant look. With a humidifier, skin will be smoother, fresher and younger looking.
In Conclusion
If your skin looks and feels great you will feel great too and your makeup will look even better, so pay attention to your skin's needs and ensure it has the protection it needs before of exposing yourself to the sun. Take care of your skin and you will look wonderful this summer and youthful for longer! Show love to yourself by loving and caring for your skin!
Terra
http://www.makeupbyterra.com/
TerraMUA@gmail.com
