Six Tips for Healthy Summer Skin

Anti-oxidants - stimulate your skin’s collagen production and reduce your chances of burning by using Vitamin A and C serums two days before exposure. Foods rich in these anti-oxidants - carrots, leafy greens, blueberries, kiwi, sweet potatoes and salmon - also help to decelerate skin cell aging and repair past sun damage.

Stay hydrated. (See previous article in archive section titled "Water").

Watch for sun sensitivity - prescription medications can cause some severe re-actions to heat and sun - everything from a painful burn, photo allergic dermatitis and pigmentation - so check labels for warnings and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.

Sun screen application - lots has been written about this topic. As far as formulation goes, current wisdom recommends sticking with zinc, titanium and mineral based sun screens. Other anti-inflammatory and calming ingredients to look for would be aloe, green tea and pomegranate. As we all know, a higher SPF does not mean double the protection. The higher numbers give only a fractionally increased protection factor but an SPF 30 is a good place to start.

Apply sun screen liberally at least 30 minutes before leaving the house and layer twice waiting 15 minutes before second application if possible. This ensures a more thorough covering. Consider any protection contained in make-up a bonus and not a main source of protection.

Summer facials - all this extra product causes clogging and congestion so have deep cleansing facials every three weeks during the summer months. Avoid chemical peels, heavy exfoliation and laser treatments during this time - the heat and sun can cause pigmentation and irritation - the very conditions that these protocols aim to correct. For maximum summer skin care, try oxygen facials monthly. These super-deep cleansing treatments restore hydration and tighten skin tone.

Sunless Tanners - using one of the many sunless tanning products is a healthy alternative to the sun and keeps the skin glowing throughout the summer months. Start with a spa visit and then re-apply at home every 2-3 days. Return to the spa for an exfoliation and re-application every month to keep the tan fresh and the skin properly hydrated. Be careful about using these products on the face - they can both dry the skin and stain the pores. Better to use a tinted moisturizer.