Beauty routines should be handled the same way as our produce and our clothing: when the seasons change, it's time to switch them up! With a new time of year comes new temperatures and humidity levels, different eating and sleeping habits and other things that can affect our skin.
Now that summer is here, we're taking more vacations and spending more time outdoors, increasing the need for sun protection. We may also want choose lighter skincare products and different shades of makeup to keep our skin looking and feeling its best. Not sure where to start? Here are 10 easy tweaks to optimize your routine for the season:
1. Be sun smart
Many of us are aware that wearing sunscreen can help prevent the risk of skin cancer and/or sunburn. However, most sunscreens are filled with toxic ingredients that may do more harm than good. A little sun on your face and body each day can also be useful, so there’s no need to fear the sun. After all, it is the best, most natural way for us to obtain vitamin D.
So be sun smart this year instead of forgoing it altogether. Choose a natural sunscreen, and only apply it after you’ve been in direct sunlight after 30 minutes or so. Bring it with you if you exercise outdoors or plan on being outside all day. If you enjoy tanning and want a natural tanning lotion, look for organic sunscreen with a small amount of SPF.
2. Do a product purge
Speaking of products, purge all the tanning and sunscreen lotions in your home that aren't natural. While you’re at it, take an inventory of your beauty products, and do the same with those. With so many high-quality natural skincare and cosmetics brands on the market (such as Pacifica and Alba Botanica), there's no need to settle for those that use toxic and potentially harmful ingredients in their products.
Doing a purge can help you not only discover amazing natural products but can also help you get healthier skin without doing anything else!
3. Have acne? Change your sheets more often
Acne and breakouts plague women of all ages due to hormonal changes, food sensitivities (or allergies) and even daily stress levels. If you suffer from breakouts more often and nothing seems to be helping, consider a simple change you might not have thought of: changing your sheets more regularly.
See, as we sleep, our skin hauls off a host of oils and dead skin onto our sheets and pillowcases, which if left unattended can build up and clog pores as we sleep on them night after night. This issue can easily be fixed by changing your pillowcases and sheets at least once a week, if not twice a week. Wash them in hot water and consider using a natural laundry detergent without fragrances or dyes. Keeping a second set of sheets on hand is also a good way to make the process even easier on yourself.
4. Choose organic and cruelty-free products
Natural and organic beauty and skincare products are usually cruelty-free but check the label to be certain. Why is this important? Choosing natural, organic, and cruelty-free brands is better for your body, the planet and your skin. Plus, these products tend to be made without terrible-for-your-skin ingredients such as pore-clogging animal fats or oils, toxic chemicals that cause rashes and breakouts and cheap fillers made with genetically modified ingredients such as GMO corn oil and soybean oil.
5. Explore oil-free options
Another great tip for breakouts is to choose skincare products made without oils. While some oils, such as argan oil, can be beneficial at times, many oils that are used in products (such as vegetable oil) can clog the skin. Even coconut oil may cause issues if you suffer frequent breakouts and are sensitive to oil. While plant oils are not necessarily unhealthy for your skin (since they are usually natural), they should still be eliminated if you’re having frequent breakouts and use products with oil.
Luckily, there are so many great oil-free skin care products on the market to choose from when it comes to makeup, skincare, and even hair products. Choose a few to try and see how they work for you!
6. Opt for a different moisturizer
During winter, it’s likely that you’ll need a heavier moisturizer than you will during summer. Although dry skin is still common during the warmer months, it’s smart to rethink what type of product you’re using so your skin can breathe properly. This tip can prevent clogged pores and unnecessary breakouts, especially when you consider you’ll be sweating more during summer.
Choose a light, oil-free moisturizer with a small amount of SPF as the best option. It’s also a good idea to try natural options that have ingredients such as cucumber extract, rose extract or a moisturizer with green tea for a cooling, hydrating effect.
7. Stay hydrated the healthy way
Staying hydrated inside and out is one of the simplest ways to take care of your skin and body. Too much caffeine, not enough sleep and too much time outdoors without proper hydration can cause lackluster skin as well as serious health consequences when you make it a habit. Dehydration can lead to dry skin, headaches, anxiety, fainting and even cravings for unhealthy foods. But instead of drinking more coffee, juice, or energy drinks, go for the real deal: H20.
If water sounds boring, jazz your glass up with some lemon, lime, watermelon cubes, cucumber, pineapple, fresh herbs or a few frozen berries. Make it a point to also eat more hydrating foods outdoors such as fruits and veggies. This tip will also help you consume more of your recommended 9 servings of produce each day!
8. Drink green tea daily
Green tea is good for your mind, body, and it’s also great for your skin. Green tea decreases damage from the sun and can also prevent further damage. It also improves immune system function, can aid in digestion, decreases inflammation to the skin, and it contains less caffeine than coffee. There are also decaffeinated versions of green tea if you want to skip caffeine altogether.
Since it’s summer, try making an iced green tea with some lemon and a little stevia for a healthy drink to take outdoors, or sip on some decaf green tea at night to unwind before bed.
9. Use natural bath salts weekly
Natural bath salts (versus those with strange chemicals on their labels) and specialized magnesium bath salts are excellent ways to help keep you healthy during summer. They can be used as a natural exfoliator in place of body scrubs, and they make wonderful tools for helping promote high-quality sleep.
Since they’re a natural source of magnesium and trace minerals, natural bath salts can calm frayed nerves and aid in better, deeper sleep. Trying soaking in a bath with salts for 30 minutes before bedtime once a week or anytime your skin needs some TLC.
10. Apply coconut oil to your body after time in the sun
Instead of lathering up with coconut oil before heading outdoors (which may increase the risk of sunburn for those with sensitive skin), try applying it after some time in the sun. Coconut oil shouldn’t be applied to your face if you tend to breakout easily, but it is a wonderful body moisturizer, especially during summer. Coconut oil hydrates the skin on a deeper level than most lotions, so it can be an excellent way to help your skin retain more moisture naturally.
These tips are a great way to tweak your beauty routine this summer for a healthier you, but they’re definitely not the only solutions. Be sure to also eat a healthy diet this summer by sticking to a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, raw nuts and seeds, and high-quality plant-based protein choices. Your skin will show the results of taking care of yourself inside and out!
What do you think? Do you have a favorite skincare tip you think everyone should know about for summertime? If so, share it and let us know!
