As the days get longer and hotter, our desire to get out and enjoy the sun gets stronger. After all, the great weather is one of the things we love about California, right? Of course, we want to look great while we are enjoying everything California has to offer, and we want to protect ourselves from environmental factors that cause aging.
Everybody wants that summer glow. To help your skin radiate, don’t forget to exfoliate! Your skin is continually turning over and shedding skin cells. These dead skin cells clinging on make your skin look dull and dry. For your body, using a scrub like a loofah or beaded cleanser 2-3 times per week will give your skin the glow you are looking for. You should use a facial exfoliator for your face and neck. This can be a mechanical exfoliant, like a facial brush or a cleansing scrub, or a chemical exfoliant, like a product with gentle fruit acids. If you really want to give your face a refresher, you can’t go wrong with a light chemical peel to get your skin out of hibernation. SkinMedica Illuminize Peel and Vitalize Peel are excellent for doing just that!
Once you have that youthful, summer glow, you want to keep it around as long as possible, right? Hydrating your skin with high quality moisturizers are a must. Did you say that you don’t want to use that thick, heavy cream emollient you’ve been using all winter? Well, neither do I. Most of us can put that heavy stuff away and use a lighter lotion or even a gel based moisturizer. The best time to apply a body lotion is right after you dry off from your shower to seal in the moisture. A light, refreshing fruity or other summer-scented lotion will pick up your mood and have you itching to get outside.
Remember that your face has different needs than your body and you shouldn’t pinch pennies in choosing the right products for healthier skin. Medical grade products are significantly superior to ANYTHING you can get at a department store or Sephora (sorry, those Dr. This and Rx That products really aren’t medical grade- otherwise they would need a prescription or be sold only in doctor’s offices!), and frequently are more cost-effective than those heavily advertised products. There are various formulations for different skin types, and it’s best to get input from a medical professional who can help you choose the right products. One of my favorite product lines for skin care and maintenance is SkinCeuticals. They have incredible moisture retaining gels, lotions, and creams. Hydrating B5 Gel is a great humectant (moisture retainer) and very light on your skin. Daily Moisture is a lightweight cream that will hydrate and nourish your skin.
Have a problem with cellulite? While there is no treatment or lotion that permanently removes it, there are some products that will improve the look of cellulite as well as stretch marks. Advanced Body Firming Lotion by SkinCeuticals is a favorite of many women- some of whom have reported their cellulite improving after two days of use and many who testify that their cellulite has disappeared after a few weeks!
There are many choices when it comes to adding some color to your summer glow. While tanning beds have improved a lot since their introduction, they still don’t protect your skin from premature aging caused by UVA rays. Using a self-tanning lotion will give your skin a beautiful start to summer. Most of these products use DHA (dihydroxy acetone) which, when used alone, can cause dryness and create an uneven, unnatural looking tan. Products with DHA enhancers like erythrulose will help ensure a more even, streakless, longer lasting tan. To prevent getting too dark, you can alternate your self-tanner with a moisturizer.
Of course, summer skin care would not be complete without a little advice on sunscreen. For full details, feel free to visit the blog section of our website: www.bhpsinc.com. First off, be safe and pick up some new sunscreen. They don’t last forever after all. Second, get one that works! The nonprofit Environmental Working Group says that 85 percent of sunscreens either inadequately protect from the sun’s rays or contain ingredients that may be unsafe. Of the products they recommended to consumers, only one of the 144 products sold by the top three sunscreen makers (i.e. Coppertone, Neutrogena, and Banana Boat) made it on the list!
Here in California, a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 should be used and reapplied every few hours to ensure protection. Also double check that it will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Solar Protection’s TIZO3 protects against both, has an SPF 40, and is very water resistant. It is made specifically for facial use, having a light tint, a flat matte finish, and a silky texture without a metallic shine. Another excellent sunscreen is La Roche Posay, but make sure it’s the line with Mexoryl, which will protect against the full spectrum of UV light.
While following these recommendations won’t make you smile more, make you play harder, or get you anywhere faster, they will help you enjoy more of the things that will! Isn’t that why we love California?