Summer is just around the corner — the weather is warming up, the days are longer, and we’ll have more opportunities than ever to spend some time in the fresh air. But if you’re not careful, some of your favorite summer activities could be prematurely aging your skin. Here are a few tips to help you prevent premature skin aging this season.
Replenish Your Skincare Products
We all have that one moisturizer or foundation that provides a flawless finish and SPF protection. But if you’re not taking the time to replenish your cosmetic and skincare products every now and again, you could be facing some consequences. For example, some pharmacy-brand creams lose almost 50% of their antioxidant capabilities after only six months on the shelf. And that’s not all. Most cosmetic and skincare products actually have expiration dates on them! Here are a few more reasons you should refresh your skincare products every so often:
- Active ingredients can lose efficacy.
- Consistency can deteriorate.
- Bacteria can grow in your skincare products.
- Application can become difficult.
Taking care of your skin means making sure you’re replacing skincare products that have expired or stopped being effective. This is especially important because if you continue to use an old product, you could actually be harming your skin.
Wear Sunscreen Every Day
Being out in the sun can feel amazing, but UVA and UVB radiation are two of the biggest contributors to the development of skin cancer. Wearing sunscreen with a high SPF every day that you plan on being outside is an excellent way to help protect yourself from that possibility. Even if you’re part of the 67.3% of the population with private healthcare coverage, the costs of skin cancer extend beyond your wallet.
In addition, too much exposure to UVA and UVB radiation from the sun can cause signs of aging on your skin. Two of the most prevalent symptoms caused are age spots and wrinkles. Your skin can also develop a leathery texture if you’re not careful. When you can avoid some serious skin damage with one simple daily habit, wearing sunscreen is a no-brainer.
Limit How Often You Exfoliate
It’s always nice to show off your smooth legs in shorts over the summer months, but too much exfoliation could actually be harming your skin! Exfoliation is typically good for you, especially when you have the help of a dermatologist. But the summer months are drier and sunnier, which means your skin needs all the protection it can get.
When you exfoliate, you’re removing the topmost protective layer of skin from your body. The newly exposed, smooth skin that you’ve uncovered is much more susceptible to UV radiation damage. So while exfoliating may be good every now and again, too much during the summer could actually accelerate the formation of wrinkles.
Wear Protective Clothing
On top of wearing sunscreen, protective clothing can help shield you from the unforgiving UV rays the sun emits. While nobody is asking you to wear a parka all summer, it’s not a bad idea to invest in a few shirts or shawls with enough coverage to protect your arms. When you’re looking for protective clothing to wear in the sun, look for items that are light-colored and lightweight. Sunhats are also an excellent wardrobe addition to consider for the summer months. The bigger, the better! And considering sunhats are in vogue right now, you shouldn’t have any problems finding a style that works for you.
Your skin is one of the most incredible organs, but that doesn’t mean it can protect you from everything. It’s your job to keep your skin safe! There are almost 2.5 million burglaries every year. Don’t let the sun steal your youth away from you.
These tips should help you keep your skin looking youthful all summer long.
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