Skin Care Tips For Summer

Body Care

Summer is the season when you have to take special care of your skin. You may be surprised that your summer skin, which looked radiant throughout winter, suddenly looks dull, blemished and oily. This is because, in winter your skin's natural oils solidifies, whereas in summer it flows freely. It's estimated that 90 percent of wrinkles cause due to sun exposure. The sun's long- and short-wave ultraviolet rays, or UVA and UVB, penetrate the deepest layers of skin, damaging the collagen -- the spongy protein that gives skin it's structure, firmness, and elasticity. Fair skin wrinkles more readily than dark skin because it contains less pigment, which acts as a natural sunscreen, blocking some of the sun's damaging UVA and B rays...Read more after the break...

To prevent wrinkles caused due to sunrays stay out of the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when it's almost directly overhead and UV radiation is strongest. Stay in the shade as much as possible. And wear protective clothing and plenty of sunscreen. Strive to apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before stepping outside. Sunscreen should always be reapplied after contact with water or after sweating. Sunscreen also should be worn year round--every time you leave the house. Shop for sunscreen that blocks against UVB and UVA rays both believed to induce skin cancer.

Smooth on a moisturizer that contains sunscreen in proper concentration. Put it on before you leave the house and reapply every two hours. Wear proper sunglasses (see our article on sunglasses) and a hat with a broad brim.

Moisturisation is the most important part of daily skin care. Your skin needs more water than anything else and moisturisers are more needed in summer when you lose most of your body salts by sweating. Buy a water-based moisturizer and use it without fail. Make it a habit to wash your face gently with water a number of times in a day (try and use mineral water). You can splash as many as 20 times as long as you don't use very hot or cold water on your skin (which can cause fine vein to appear on your face). Steam your face regularly to open the pores and clean your face of the dirt (five minutes for dry skin and 10 minutes if it is oily). Pat dry with tissue and moisturize.

A few moisturisers you can make at home:

1. Take cucumber juice and watermelon juice in equal proportions and apply on face. You can cool it in the frig before use.

2. Rose water is also a good moisturiser and it can be sprayed on the face to tone and refresh it.

Feet Care

Just as you take care of your body you must not forget your feet and hands. Mostly people neglect their feet and hands and think that they don't have to take care of them or rather feel unnecessary to waste their time on them. Coz believe me there's nothing more off-putting than looking at cracked, dirty heels. So all you have to do is use plenty of water and voila… you will have wonderful and sexy feet and hands you will love to flaunt.

Soak your feet and hands in water for 15/20 minutes. Add a pinch of salt in it…..it is excellent to help you get rid of fatigue. It is advisable to change water from hot to cold. That is for 2 minutes soak your feet in cold water and then soak it in hot water. This is good because it improves your blood circulation. Do this for 15 minutes once a week.

Do not wear shoes and closed footwear in the summer. Wear strappy, low-heeled sandals or some fancy flats. Wear a footwear that will allow air circulation and which are comfortable.

The most important tip: drink lots and lots of water. Drink at least 15 glasses of water.