Summer is a time for beach days, pool parties, and vacations. It is also time for a skincare makeover. Having a long hour of daylight plus hot and sometimes dry weather can affect our skin more severely than a cold and dark winter day. Some summer skincare steps may depend on where you live.
Lighter Makeup
On summer days, wearing a thick layer of makeup can act as an unnecessary extra layer on your skin. In addition, sweating because your makeup comes off more easily and pare down your makeup routine. During the hot season give a break to your skin and let your skin breathe better.
Exfoliate Once or Twice a Week
Sweating is the body’s natural way of cooling off. In addition, clearly, sunscreen is very important, especially during the summer. However, a combination of these two can clog your skin’s pores. That is why exfoliation to unclog the pores and reduce blemishes is highly recommended. Do not forget that you should not exfoliate your skin if you are sunburned. Let the skin heal first and avoid irritating it more with exfoliation.
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How to Prevent Summer Sunspots
1. Wear Sunscreen and Sun-Protective Clothing
I know this is stating the obvious, but it is of great importance. Exposing your skin to the sun (especially if you get a tan or a sunburn) will bring out sunspots. Therefore, if you are serious in your quest to prevent them from ever appearing in the first place, you must do two things. The first is to wear sunscreen every single day, applying it generously and consistently.
Protecting your skin from the sun has much more to do with how much sunscreen you apply than it does the actual SPF number listed on the bottle. That is why I recommend applying at least a quarter-sized dollop to your face, alone. If your neck and chest are exposed, apply a separate quarter-sized dollop to those areas as well! If you are spending time outside, reapply every 90 minutes.
We in Golden Pulse cosmetic center always recommend using a Weightless Protection SPF 30. I formulated it specifically for people who struggle with oily, breakout-prone skin (although it is good for all skin types). A lightweight formula dries to a matte finish. Moreover, it will not clog pores or worsen breakout activity.
If you will be spending time outside and you do not want to keep reapplying sunscreen, consider investing in sun-protective clothing. This is different from regular clothing because it has a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating. It is a measurement of sun protection in clothing. UPF clothing unlike regular clothing does not allow UV light to be transmitted through the fabric to provide adequate sun protection.
2. Wear a Hat
This goes along with my sun-protective clothing tip, but it is worth stating anyway. Protect your face and head from the sun by wearing a hat during your outdoor activities. Select a hat that protects you from light, but is breathable that will keep sunlight off your skin without trapping excess heat under it.
3. Wear Sunglasses
This is an effective way to cover the thin skin around the eyes, which is one of the first areas to show signs of aging. It can also prevent you from squinting in bright light, which can, in turn, prevent fine lines and wrinkles from forming.
According to research, wearing sunglasses might even help prevent sunspots from forming on your skin. Researchers studied the effect of UV light on the eyes of mice. When their eyes were exposed to UV light, they discovered the skin had a darkening response. Further research demonstrated that UV light goes into the photoreceptors in the eyes and prompts the pituitary gland to create melanin within the skin. While this has not been proven or extrapolated to humans, it is still pretty incredible and could be another reason to consider wearing sunglasses.
4. Avoid the Heat
For years, it was thought that sunspots were only caused by the sun (as the name suggests). We now know that heat can stimulate melanin activity, as well. This means that no matter how diligent you are about wearing sunscreen and seeking shade, your skin can still form sunspots if you are exposing it to a lot of heat.
I live in Austin, Texas, so I know that sometimes the heat is unavoidable. However, if you are serious about preventing sunspots, avoid being in direct sunlight from 10 am to 4 pm. Those are the hottest hours of the day. I would also suggest avoiding saunas, steam rooms, or hot yoga. All of these can make pigmentation worse.
How to Cool Down Overheated Skin to Prevent Sun Spots
- Seek shade
- Put a cold compress on the back of your neck
- Splash your skin with ice-cold water to quickly lower its internal temperature
- Gently press a bag of frozen vegetables to your skin
- Keep an alcohol-free toner in the fridge, so that when it is applied after cleansing, it provides a cooling effect
- Keep a gel-based mask in the fridge, so that when it is applied, it will cool the skin and hydrate thirsty cells
- Go for a dip in the pool, lake, or ocean. This will quickly lower your body temperature to reduce heat in the skin
5. Use Chemical Exfoliates
One of the best ways to manage skin discoloration (including sun spots) is to exfoliate regularly. This can be done through chemical exfoliation or physical exfoliation. Chemical exfoliation involves applying an acid to the skin (like glycolic, lactic, or mandelic acids) to lower the pH of the skin and dissolve dead cells. This encourages cellular turnover, which helps fade pigmentation.
Some people are hesitant to exfoliate in the summer since some exfoliating acids can make the skin more sensitive to the sun. I am here to tell you that as long as you are diligent about sun protection, its business as usual with exfoliating acids.
With that being said, always use common sense. If you are going to be at the beach for a few days, and you know you will be out in the sun a lot, you might want to skip chemical exfoliation for a night or two before you go.
6. Use a Gentle Facial Scrub
Due to the popularity of exfoliating acids, many people no longer feel the need to use a facial scrub. In fact, some people refuse to use one, thinking they are all harmful to the skin. The truth is that there are some amazing gentle facial scrubs out there that will not damage the skin. Take the Mint Buffing Beads, for example. I formulated this product with perfectly round jojoba beads that glide across the skin and slough away dead cells.
While exfoliating acids do a great job of dissolving pigmented cells, a facial scrub will actually lift them up and off the skin. In fact, in many instances, you can see an immediate fading of pigmentation after using a facial scrub. That is why I suggest alternating between chemical and physical exfoliates.
7. Use a Vitamin C Serum
In addition to exfoliates and retinol, a natural skin brightener like vitamin C can suppress melanin cells, helping to fade and prevent sun spots. I suggest applying a vitamin C serum every morning under sunscreen. Not only will it go to work on pigmentation, but it will also offer potent antioxidant protection. In fact, using a stable and well-formulated vitamin C serum in conjunction with sunscreen can significantly increase UV protection. That is why I apply the Vitamin C&E Treatment every day, without fail.
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Summer Skincare and Facial at Golden Pulse Cosmetic Center
We in Golden Pulse Cosmetic center provide a big variety of facial and skincare procedures based on your skin requirements and needs. Please contact us for more information and book your free consultation and test session.
