Photo Courtesy: http://www.fashable.org

A long day loaded with infinite fun is something special about summer season. It is a time of enhanced enjoyment. We all love summer sun and temperatures because they provide us the opportunity to have fun by spending our time outdoors doing the things we love. However, at the same time, the health of our skin cannot be neglected. The summer heat, dust and dirt can lead to the premature aging of skin, and cause wrinkles, marks, dry skin, even skin cancer over time and many other skin problems.

Along with enjoyment, fun, and freedom, the hottest season of the year requires us to follow careful measures about our skin and health.

Here are some tips for a healthy skin and body in summer:

• High temperature and spending more time outdoors can lead to dehydration, so we should make sure to drink at least 8 glasses of plain, filtered water every day to maintain the critical balance of the body and skin.

• Cleansing our face twice a day and moisturizing our skin before sleeping everyday is essential. Also, a cool shower after excess sweating helps to keep the skin and body fresh, decreasing acne breakouts.

• To prevent ourselves from the scorching sunlight, it’s not enough to just apply sunscreen (suitable to the skin type) but we must apply it enough and apply frequently. We should reapply it every two hours and should stay out of the midday sun from mid-morning to late afternoon whenever we can.

• We should apply sunscreen and body lotions 15 or 30 minutes before stepping out in the sun. The sunscreen  and body lotion helps to keep the body and skin away from blemishes and freckles.

• Sun’s rays tend to dry our delicate lip tissues. So, we should also take care of our lips and keep them hydrated with richly textured lip balm with an SPF(Sun Protection Factor) 15 or higher and reapply regularly when outdoors.

• We should cover up our body and skin as much as possible using lightweight fabrics that won’t itch, scratch or overheat us and wear light colored fabrics over dark ones to keep the heat level down.

• Exfoliation helps to remove dead and dulling skin debris to prevent from congestion and improve hydration from moisturizers. It also helps to improve blood circulation in the face. Exfoliate in the morning prior to toner, moisturizer, and makeup application.

• Using a face mask or face pack helps get rid of an uneven tan. It also helps to absorb oil, dirt and dust which also helps to minimize pores. Dry skin should use a mask 1-2 times a week whereas oilier skin types should apply 2-3 times a week. The citrus properties of the lemon are very effective to remove tan.

• We should minimize use of aerated drinks as they are full of sugar which is not good for skin and body. It’s also best to minimize the intake of diuretics like alcohol and caffeine as they reduce the water from our system.

• We should also take some special summer time to relax and breathe and plan a fun trip with our family, friends and loved ones. Taking some time off from work during summer helps minimize stress and helps to relax our body and enjoy the nature.

• We should exercise or workout at least 45 minutes every day and get 7 to 8 hours of sleep. Aerobic activities or exercising helps  keep heart and body strong and healthy. It also helps keep our body and mind aligned.

• Exercising alone is not enough to keep skin and body healthy. We should also focus on our foods. A healthy skin and body comes from eating well and summer is the ideal time to make dietary changes. So, we should eat a proper balanced diet every day. A diet rich in flavonoids will help to ensure a healthy and glowing skin.

• At least once a month, we should self-examine our body for any new or unusual spots or marks and check for sun damage on our skin. We should pay special attention to moles that have changed shape or size or that hurt, itch, or bleed. We should also do a full body checkup once a year.

• Last but not the least, eat healthy, exercise and sleep well and enjoy summer!!