Summer Proof Your Skin

Summer-Proof Your Skin As the winter draws to an end, it’s time to start thinking about ways to keep your skin safe from the unique challenges that summer brings.  The combination of sun and heat calls for a few extra steps in skincare, especially if you find yourself sweating profusely on a regular basis. Though sweating is the body’s natural way of removing excess heat, leaving the sweat on your body, especially on delicate facial skin, is a recipe for clogged pores, a common skin issue that often develops during the summer months even in those with typically clear skin.  Luckily, there are ways to combat this summertime skin woe, with simple prevention and quality skincare products as your skin’s two best friends.  

Summer breakouts are often caused by your sweat mixing with skin oils and dead skin cells. This slick mixture coats your skin and clogs your pores after beach days and sweaty workouts.  This is often compounded by the use of oily sunscreens or make-up, and can lead to whiteheads and blackheads, rashes, and sweat blisters.  Breakouts can sting or itch, and, if not treated, can lead to scarring and blemishes of sensitive facial skin.  Add a summer day’s accidental sunburn to the mix, and you’ll think your skin’s been hit with a nasty curse!  Your skin will likely go back and forth between overly dry and overly oily for days, if not weeks on end.  Be patient and establish a skincare routine with the tips below, and you’ll find your skin will go back to normal quickly.   

Summer breakout prevention starts with regular hygiene.  Stay well hydrated and be sure to wash and shower regularly after sweating, such as after workouts or hot days at the pool, to remove oils, chemicals, and dead skin before they have a chance to clog pores.  If you towel off your skin mid-workout or after your shower, be sure to pat it gently to dry rather than rubbing to prevent irritation that could lead to further problems.  Pools are notorious for harbouring skin-irritating chemicals and bacteria.  Showering, or at least rinsing off under fresh water immediately after pool time, can remove some of these culprits and keep your skin on the right track.   

Washing your bedding regularly during the summer months can also help prevent breakouts.  Dead skin cells and excess oils slough off your body onto your sheets while you sleep and can contribute to breakouts and clogged pores over time.  Be sure to frequently change your pillowcase in particular! Washing your workout clothing after each workout and wearing light, breathable fabrics is effective at warding off the oily skin on your body too!

Keeping hair off of your face and avoiding the use of headbands can also help decrease the frequency and duration of breakouts.  Hair and headbands often trap oil, dirt, and bacteria and transfer them onto your skin during your workout, causing irritation and clogging pores.  If you’re outside, wear a brimmed hat or ball cap to ward off sunburns and keep your hair off your face. 

Many common facial cleansers, sunscreens, and moisturizers can compound the breakout problem by overly drying skin or depositing, even more, oil onto problem areas.  High-quality skincare products formulated for high-sweat skin, such as the 123FRÉskincare trio, can also offer an effective solution to summertime breakouts.  It contains a gentle cleanser, a combination sunscreen and moisturizer made especially for your face, and a regenerative serum for anti-aging and repair after sun damage. A gentle, soothing cleanser such as the trio’s Purify Me can remove those problematic oils and dead skin cells after your workout or before bed to calm and purify your facial skin.  

A sunscreen is a must-have during the summer months, and the best one for your facial skin is generally not the same as the one you might use on your body.  Pick a sunscreen with at least 30 SPF, and read the label to ensure it is oil-free and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores). Unlike many sunscreens, the FRÉ skincare trio’s Protect Me sunscreen and moisturizer resist coming off when you sweat and won’t clog pores, so it’s a perfect choice for all-day wear whether you are working out or not! 

Don’t let summer sun and sweat derail the health of your skin.  Keep it clean, clear, and happy by washing frequently and after sweating with a gentle cleanser and preventatively using a sunscreen and moisturizer during days in the sun.  Keep towels, bedding, and workout gear clean and fresh by washing regularly.  Keep a skincare routine with effective, high-quality products to soothe and repair your skin.  Proactive hygiene and gentle care with the tips above are the key ingredients in summer skincare. 

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