New England in the springtime can actually resemble the gloomiest days of fall, but nevertheless, there are occasional days of sunshine and warmth. However, even though you may not notice the presence of the sun, it actually still has a lot of impact on your skin, such as providing vitamin D, which gives energy to your body. I might just be being hopeful, but the weather channel predicts sunshine and partly cloudy weather for the rest of April until summer break. Here are some tips to help you prepare your skin for the coming days of late spring and summer.
As the weather gets warmer, your skin is also at the risk of more breakouts due to sweat. It’s really important to keep your skin dry but still moist. After workouts (especially if you’re doing cardio outdoors), make sure you have a towel that absorbs well. For cardio exercises such as running around upper lake, wristband towels are a great way wipe off sweat without having to carry around a towel on your runs. But the best method of keeping a clear skin for the bikini season is to shower after every workout or any strenuous exercise outdoors.
While in the wintertime, there are fewer risks of acne breakouts due to the lovely cool weather; spring and summer times require a more careful attention to different stages of your skin and to recognize potentials of breakouts before they happen. Prevention approach is much easier than recovery. Some personal favorites of mine (which also work as year-round facial care) include Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Bar for Face and Body and Nelson’s Pure & Clear Acne Treatment Gel. Soaps are great for daily facial cleansers because they contain minimal harmful chemicals. Most dermatologists would also recommend soap over gel products (and they would also recommend Clinique facial products over pharmacy brands). The acne gel also works wonders for spot treatment of catching breakouts. It does not dry out the face and it doesn’t need to be used on a daily basis (unless if you have breakouts often or are stressed out). Both products are also reasonably priced.
Of course, for those of you who are prone to sun burn, sunscreen is an essential product for every spring/summer day (and all year around too if your skin is sensitive to sunburns or if there’s a family history of skin cancer). Researchers and dermatologists cannot stress enough of the importance of using sunscreen on a daily basis over spring and summer days. Sunscreen isn’t just for the beach or poolside tanning, it is for everyday usage since spring and summer times are usually synonymous with light clothing – shorts, skirts, tank tops, etc. – when your skin is exposed. In addition to sunscreen (or also an alternative) you should also wear protective clothing. Usually light 100% cotton long sleeve tunics are perfect with thin skinny jeans and flip-flops. In addition, using an umbrella or a hat will be helpful in adverting the sun.
If you are prone to dark spots, there are multiple products on the shelves that prevent or recover dark spots. For example, Reviva Labs’ Skin Lightener For day Fade Cream works well as a facial moisturizer that will keep your skin fresh and light for the day. It also comes with a Brown Spot Skin Lightening Night Cream that recovers your skin from the long summer days. However, neither of these products are replacements of sunscreen. The best way to avoid getting dark spots is to use proper sunscreen for your face (such as Olay Complete Daily Defense All-Day Moisturizer with SPF 30) and to allow refreshing breathers during the night with night cream.
While getting a new set of makeup might be pricey, it is definitely recommended. Your skin changes shades even after being in the outdoors for 3 days so it is really important that your makeup matches your skin tone. But if you are considering spending the budget required, rethink about the brands and the types of makeup you would normally purchase. What you wear during the colder winter months do not have the same affect on your skin as the humid summer days ahead. If you normally depend on liquid foundation in the winter to keep your face moist, consider purchasing powder/mineral-based products. Some go-to brands are bareMinerals from bareEcentuals, Clinique, and MAC. If you are serious about the condition of your skin, it is important to stick to brands that are used by professionals (especially MAC) because the products were designed and produced for everyday wear. MAC is particularly popular amongst the runway makeup artists.
If you are travelling in the hot tropical regions, it might be worth the trip to avoid wearing makeup at all – depending on where you are and why you’re there. Most vacationers stick to resorts and warm breezy areas, but if you’re doing any volunteering or research that require traveling to rugged areas or rural areas, makeup will make your acne breakouts worse (and they don’t go away so easily afterwards!). Be careful as the summer time comes around as spring is the perfect time to arrange your facial care needs.