Protecting Your Face: Skin Care In The Summer

By Author: Kacy Suther
Total Articles: 223
Comment this article

Believe it or not, healthy skin is supposed to be slightly acidic, due to the acid mantle that covers it. This mantle is a combination of perspiration and sebum, a natural formula that helps protect skin from environmental damage. Every day, we lose 850 ml of water through our skin, so replacing this lost fluid is essential.

In the summertime, water loss is accelerated as the body tries to cool itself down, particularly when it's humid outside. As a result, the production of sebum increases, collecting on the skin and clogging pores. This is what often causes those summertime breakouts, which is why it's so important to know what's necessary for clear, healthy skin.

Here is a good summer face skin care regimen that works for most skin types:

1. Cleanse with mild facial skin care products, using natural or vegetable-based soaps.

2. Gently exfoliate, no more than once or twice a week.

3. Hydrate your skin with a natural, alcohol-free toner or fill a sterile spray bottle with filtered water and mist the face after cleansing or exfoliating.

4. Use a light, all natural moisturizer with ...
... an SPF of at least 15. Creams and lotions with petroleum-based ingredients tend to clog pores.

5. Use a moisturizer or face oil at night--massaging it into your face before bed. Massaging increases circulation, which facilitates the natural rejuvenation process that takes place as you sleep.

6. Keep lips moist and protected with lip balm, gloss or lipstick that contains a natural sunblock such as titanium dioxide.

7. Wear sunscreen, hats and loose clothing that covers you up and minimizes sun exposure. 90% of skin cancers are caused by chronic sun damage and 80% of wrinkles are due to photo-aging, or the amount of exposure to UV radiation over your lifetime.

Whether you use everyday brands or advanced formulas such as Obagi skin care products, any face skin care regimen that doesn't include nutrition is lacking one of the most important pieces to the healthy skin care puzzle. Good health and beauty are one and the same. Why do you think poor complexions are often linked to diets high in sugar and saturated fats? Sensitive skin can be made worse because of poor digestion or low nutrient intake, while dry skin can occur due to a diet low in fatty acids or vitamin E. Slow to heal skin may be low in vitamins A, B6, C, or zinc.

Healthy eating--and eating a wide assortment of foods--helps the skin build up a defense against cell damage, infection, and premature aging, especially during those brutal summer months. Simply by eating some fresh, raw vegetables and fruit everyday, you're adding important vitamins, antioxidants and water to your diet. Take full advantage of the delicious variety of fresh foods available in the summer. Even if you use things as nice as Obagi skin care products, good diet is still the essence of healthy skin--if you're not eating right, none of the facial skin care products you use are going to fully correct your skin.