4 Tips for Healthier Skin in Summer

Outdoor activities, picnics and barbeques are enjoyed by millions in Australia as summer approaches. But many of these activities bring with it some risk like sunburn and heat stroke. It can also be potentially harmful to your skin. So how can we pursue our love of outdoors, yet still nurture and look after our skin?

It may surprise you to know there are things you can do to protect your skin, as well as achieve good, healthy skin.

1. Protect Your Skin with A Long Lasting Moisturiser

A good moisturiser will help keep your skin supple and prevent moisture loss. A great option is to use moisturiser that lasts all day so you don't risk moisture loss part way through the day.

If you have dry or sensitive skin, you are especially prone to being affected by heat and humidity in the air. Use a moisturiser with plant based oils and no preservative or harmful or irritating ingredients.

Aging skin can be nurtured with antioxidant ingredients like vitamin E, green or white tea and argan oil. Antioxidants keep skin looking firmer and more radiant, which is particularly helpful on dry days.

2. Keep Your Skin Hydrated

Keep your face feeling fresh and hydrated on hot days with a mist/spritz. Choose one that is natural and organic and without dehydrating ingredients such as alcohol. Carry it with you and use it when you need a refreshing cool down.

Feed your skin from the inside as well as the outside. Drink at least 2 litres of water a day to ensure you give your skin good hydration during summer.

If you want healthy and clean skin you need to know that not all drinking water is the same. Water from the tap has been treated with chemicals. Buy a quality water filter device that remove impurities and gives you good clean water. It's a great investment in your health. Clean water tastes good and if you drink sufficient amount it also helps to eliminate toxins and with time, resulting in you having healthier and clearer skin.

3. Encourage Youthful Looking Skin with a Good Cleansing Routine

Summer is a lovely time to spend in nature, take a swim in Australia's amazing beaches or in a swimming pool. However, you can get sweaty, salty and smell like chlorine. Salt and chlorine can be drying and irritating to your skin especially if you have sensitive skin.

To maintain healthy and clean skin, use a gentle cleanser to cleanse your face daily. It can clear away sweat, salt and any impurities. Follow that up with a very gentle exfoliating sponge to wash your body at least twice a week. This helps to prevent build-up of dead skin cells and encourage new one to come to surface, which encourages youthful looking skin.

4. Don't Just Be Sun-Smart: Be Sunscreen Ingredient-Smart

Clearly it's good to be sun-smart and wear sunscreen, a wide brim hat and sunglass that cover your eyes. Australia sun is strong and is damaging to your skin even after a short period of exposure to it. It is most damaging from 9am to 4pm during summer. That's why is very helpful to wear a wide brim hat and a good pair of sunny that covers all your eyes.

If you are lacking Vitamin D and need some sun exposure, it's best to have it early morning before 9am or early afternoon after 4pm.

Are you sunscreen ingredient-smart?

Are you using a sunscreen with predominately natural plant-based ingredients? Fresk advocates healthy ingredients for healthy skin.

Most commercial sunscreens contain ingredients such as Oxybenzone and octinoxate. These are rated as moderately high hazard by the Environmental Working Group. They are an endocrine disruptor that can affect the nervous system and has been linked to cancer and reproductive toxicity in some laboratory studies.

Are you prepared to trust what big companies put in their sunscreen. Are they more concerned for your long term health or their short term profits?

Other chemical that big companies commonly put in sunscreen are: oxybenzone, avobenzone Mexoryl SX and XL, homosalate, Helioplex, 4-MBC, Tinosorb S and M, Uvinul T 150, and Uvinul A Plus. It's best to stay clear of these; the less you expose your skin to chemicals, the better.

How to choose a good sunscreen

Read the ingredients in sunscreen before you buy. It's up to you to protect yourself and loved ones. Look for a sunscreen product with:

A short list of ingredients that you can understand.
SPF factor of at least 40+.
Active natural ingredients like zinc oxide or micronized titanium dioxide.

I hope these tips help you to have good looking and healthy skin throughout the summer months.

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