Oh, summer! The weather is warmer, the days are longer, and the gardens are in full bloom. Everyone seems more relaxed during the summer months, and why not? It’s a great time to bask in the sun and soak up the rays.

As fun as it may be, warm weather can be terrible for your skin! People over age 50 have the highest risk of developing skin cancer — and ultraviolet (UV) radiation produced by the sun is a leading risk factor for this disease.

It’s imperative for older adults to protect their skin while spending time in the sun, but the proper skincare doesn’t stop there! Keeping your skin healthy and spry can easily be done, both indoors or outside.

Protect yourself with these 5 easy tips for summer skincare.

Don’t Skimp on Sunscreen

There are three main types of UV rays produced by the sun, but only two of them are thought to damage skin/cause cancer: UVA rays and UVB rays. One of the most common ways to protect against these harmful rays is with sunblock. There is no sunscreen that will protect you completely, but it will help significantly if used correctly.

Not every option protects against both UVA and UVB rays — so be sure to read the labels when shopping for a sunscreen. The American Cancer Society recommends any kind labeled broad spectrum protection (against both UVA and UVB rays) with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Keep in mind: when it comes to SPF, a higher number isn’t necessarily better. SPF 15 sunscreens filter out about 93% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 sunscreens filter out about 97%. The key is reapplying regularly.

Stay Hydrated

This is the most important and possibly easiest way to take care of your skin in the summer. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. While many suggest drinking eight 8-ounce glasses per day, the amount of water you need actually varies from person to person. Determine how much you truly should be drinking with this helpful hydration calculator. When you’re properly hydrated your skin is clearer, and your energy even is higher!

Drinking isn’t the only way to hydrate your skin. During the summer months, consider investing in a light-weight moisturizer. You’re looking for a lotion that leaves your skin feeling cool, without sacrificing SPF!  Skin Care by Alana recommends Image Skincare Prevention+ Daily Ultimate Protection Moisturizer SPF 50. This product hydrates your skin, incorporates SPF, and is even an anti-aging product.

Take Care of Your Lips

Your lips get chapped during the winter months, but do you know you need to take care of them during the summer as well? It’s true! Your lower lip is particularly susceptible to sunburn; so don’t forget to apply sunscreen to them too.

Since the sun dries out your lips, you need to keep them soft with a lip balm that has SPF 15 or higher. InStyle recommends Coola’s Liplux SPF 30.

If you use lip-gloss, make sure it contains SPF– the shine in a gloss without built-in protection can act as a magnifying glass, intensifying the sun’s burning power.

Cleanse with Care

Cleaning your face is an important part of any skincare routine. When washing your face in the summer, the goal is to rid your skin of excess oils and pore-clogging fragments– without sucking up too much moisture.

Stay away from severe cleansers that can dry out your skin. You should always use a product with gentle, non-irritating ingredients that will nourish your skin. And as tempting as it may be, steer away from anti-aging products — research shows they may do more harm than good.

Skin Care by Alana recommends Rhonda Allison Foaming Peptide Cleanser. It infuses your skin with vitamins and probiotics, while removing impurities. This product is safe and gentle enough for most sensitive skin.

Eat Well

Believe it or not, what you eat can help protect your skin from the inside out. Green tea contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which protects your skin from sun damage. Cantaloupe is rich in antioxidants and delivers a unique hydration to the skin that results in a radiant complexion. Watermelon can even boost your SPF. Eating vitamins C and E together can limit your potential for sunburn, too. A salad with vitamin C-rich citrus, berries, tomato, and vitamin E-rich nuts would be an ideal SPF lunch.

Sometimes, you don’t even need to eat food for it to help your skin. Take a strawberry and cut it in half. Take a fork and poke the flesh to release the juices. Then, take the strawberry half and wipe it on your face in small circles. Leave it on for two minutes, then rinse. This helps brighten sun and age spots over time.

 

Bonus Tip: Along with sunscreen, make sure to always use sunglasses. Exposing your eyes to the sun not only causes cataracts, but crows feet from squinting, too!