Simple and affordable suggestions for all genders and skin types, for any time of the year.
Summertime and the living is easy--but not necessarily on your skin and hair. Whether you reside in a steamy part of the country (Miami) or in arid climate (Albuquerque), both your skin and tresses are ultimately taking a beating during the sunny weather. The season may only be a few months in duration but the damaging effects of too much sun exposure from roof top sunbathing (affectionately, called “tar beach” in Brooklyn) or floating aimlessly in an overly chlorinated pool, while sipping, ok, guzzling, too many minty mojitos can furtively wreak havoc.
It’s important to remember: sun exposure and its long-term effects are a year-long crusade. Try these simple and affordable suggestions that are suitable for all genders, skin types and tones--especially, if you don’t want to look like a piece of over-cooked grilled skirt steak, even after summer is over:
Be Sun Savvy! You’ve heard this a gazillion times--shield yourself from the sun daily. As soon as you step out of the shower/bath and while your skin is still damp, apply body lotion that both hydrates and protects with SPF.
TRY: Unsun Hydrating Full Coverage Mineral Body Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30. $32.00, Unsuncosmetics.com or Aveeno Protect and Hydrate Sunscreen, SPF 60. $8.99, Target.
TIP: Whatever the plan is for the day, religiously reapply every two hours. Don’t forget the vulnerable tops of feet, hands and shoulders.
RED ALERT. For your face: Apply a shot glass full of SPF. I prefer lighter formulas on hot, humid days. Go up to your hairline and don’t forget where you part your hair to avoid getting your scalp burned, tops of ears, and the front and back of your neck.
TRY: Neutrogena Hydroboost City Shield Water Gel, SPF 25, $27.90, Neutrogena. Also, Algenist Sublime Defense Ultra Lightweight UV Defense Fluid, SPF 50, $28.00, Algenist.
TOP IT OFF. Guard your mane. Protect your hair from becoming straw-like and your color/highlights from fading and/or turning brassy. Use a hair mask once a week and spray strands with a leave in UV sun protector.
TRY: Coola Scalp & Hair Mist Organic Sunscreen, SPF30, $26.00, COOLA. Hair Redemption Restorative Butter Masque, reduces frizz, $36.00, Sephora.
PUCKER UP. Shield your kisser with a lip balm that hydrates and contains SPF. Lips have thin skin with very little melanin and minimal protection from aging and sun damage.
TRY: Eltamd Uv Lip Balm, SPF 36, $13.00, SkinStore, or No-Frills, Aquaphor Lip Repair & Protect, SPF 30, $4.99, Walgreens.
TAKE CARE. Did you unexpectedly drift asleep in the blazing sun while reading a romance (hopefully, trashy) novel in your lounge chair, only to wake up to charred skin?
For sunburn relief, TRY: Fruit Of The Earth %100 Aloe Vera Gel, $15.42, Walmart. Sunday Spray Cooling Aloe Mist with cucumber and spearmint, $22.00, Kinfield.com.
TIP: Toss a few heaping tablespoons of baking soda in a bath of cool water, soak for 15 minutes. Gently dab skin dry with a soft towel. Take an ibuprofen to relieve pain, if necessary.
ABOUT FACE. To compliment your summer skincare routine, incorporate face masks to either combat parched skin or to absorb excess oil, ease breakouts and deep clean.
TRY: Talika Hydrating Face Mask, $10.40, lovelyskin.com or Sunbum Restoring Face Mask with aloe, banana, brown algae (calms redness and irritation) $16.99, Ulta.
FRESHEN UP ON THE GO. Whether you’re running from the beach to brunch or when a shower isn’t possible or available, freshen up with body wipes to enable quick and easy hygiene.
TRY: HyperGo Full Body Wipes (hypoallergenic and alcohol free) $12.99, Amazon.
LET IT HEAL. Hiking, dancing or simply window shopping in ill-fitting shoes or those sky-high, sexy, strappy sandals you just had to have, can lead to swollen tootsies and nasty, juicy, blisters. I know it’s tempting, but DO NOT POP! The blister protects the underlying skin from the environment and possible infection.
Prepare before you slip into your Birkenstocks or Saint Laurent Tribute Sandals. TRY: Compeed Anti-Blister Stick to prevent chaffing and rubbing. $9.99, Amazon. If you get a blister, apply Compeed Advanced Blister Care, $19.88 (available in a variety of skin tones) Amazon.
HYDRATE from the inside out …and that doesn’t mean indulging in another glass of sangria. Try to consume nutrient-dense snacks that contain electrolytes and high-water content such as watermelon, honeydew, strawberries, celery and cucumbers.
TIP: If you’re not in the mood to pack a cooler, select fruits that do not need to be refrigerated. (Oranges and plums are a personal favorite.)
It doesn’t have to be a “Cruel Summer” (shout out to Bananarama!) if you take a few moments to prepare and prevent seasonal pitfalls. Go indulge in the cloudless blue skies and longer days. Now, excuse me while I drive off in my cherry red convertible, (sunscreen applied, my hair draped in a silk scarf, a la Grace Kelly), and crank up the radio. Sinatra is crooning “Summer Wind”, and the living really IS easy.
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The Crush Letter is a weekly newsletter curated by Dish Stanley on everything love & connection - friendship, romance, self-love, sex. If you’d like to take a look at some of our best stories go to Read Us. Want the Dish?
