SkinJunkie's Summer Essentials

The long awaited season of Summer is making it's way around the corner from Spring, so I'm here to make sure you enjoy the weather AND protect your skin! Let's get some Summer Essentials in order!

First, a quick lesson on UVA and UVB light. UV stands for Ultra Violet and for both UVA and UVB, they are invisible and can cause damage to our unprotected skin at any age.

UVA ~ Sorry my friends, this is A is not for apple! It stands for AGING! This ultra violet light penetrates DEEP into your skin and will wreak havoc causing sagging, wrinkles, age spots and can lead to skin cancer. Remember, it is much easier to prevent wrinkles than to eliminate them.
UVB ~ B as in BURNING baby! This ultra violet light causes us to burn, creating a bright pink or red discoloration of our skin which may also swell or blister. Over time, being the recipient of many sunburns will put you at a higher risk of developing skin caner. Most everyone knows the pain and discomfort that comes with a sunburn, so do your very best to prevent it from happening.

SkinJunkie's Summer Essentials

Summer Essential #1 ~ SPF (A.K.A. Sunblock) 30 or higher. Remember, SPF products for your body are not for use on your face unless it clearly states, "Face and Body". Body SPF usually has unnecessary fragrance and tends to be greasy, which may clog your pores and cause blemishes. Another important fact you need to know about SPF is that you MUST reapply it. Whether you are playing on the beach, swimming or sitting under an umbrella, you must reapply your sunblock approximately every 60 to 90 minutes. Water, sweat, the sun, wind and reflection can and will break down the product. If you only apply it once before you head out for the day, I guarantee you'll be sorry especially if you are planning on spending the majority of your time outdoors.

If you do not protect your skin from the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays, then your chances of developing skin cancer just got higher. Sadly, it is becoming more common for individuals in their early twenties to be diagnosed with skin cancers and developing hyperpigmentation from sun damage. More importantly, you can take precautions to prevent this.

*SkinJunkie Beauty Secret; I wear SPF daily, rain or shine, all year round. Also, I never spend more than just a few minutes in the direct sunlight. Sun exposure is one of the fastest ways to accelerate aging and develop wrinkles.

Summer Essential #2 ~ Lip SPF 30 or higher. Like most women, we want our lips to stand out with color and shine but wearing lip gloss in the warm sun can actually increase you risk of skin cancer. Sounds crazy, right? Wrong! Experts are warning anyone who uses lip gloss to avoid using it while in prolonged, direct sun. The gloss and it's shiny reflection will increase the transmission of UV light, inviting it to absorb deeper into the layers of your skin, causing damage. Most lip SPF's are clear, colorless so find your favorite lip color and wear it on top!

Summer Essential #3 ~ A large, brim hat. Wearing hats are not just fashionable and always have been but they can also protect our heads and faces from the sun's harmful rays. The sun can also fade your hair color and create a dry, dull look whether it's color treated or not. You can prevent this just by throwing on a hat that will compliment your attire. Use of hats are also recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation, so go hat shopping and make more than just a statement about your sun protection!

Summer Essential #4 ~ Facial Cleanser. A great facial cleanser will help keep your skin summer friendly if used at least once daily (before bed). And not just any facial cleanser! Be sure to use a cleanser for your skin type. If you do not know what skin type you have I recommend getting a professional skin analysis from an Esthetician or Dermatologist. If you are at a department store, PA' LEASE ask the lovely lady behind the counter if she is a licensed Esthetician. If she is, she will have her license available and ready to show off to you. If she is not, run away fast! She is most likely a salesperson and gets paid to "sell" you products for your skin type that she just guessed. You would not ask your eye doctor about your gynecological issues would you? So do not take skin care advice from a sales woman that you could smell from the parking lot! Consider yourself warned!

Summer Essential #5 & 6 ~ Face and Body Exfoliant. Yes, these are two different products but you seriously will benefit from both. An exfoliant for your face should be a bit more gentle compared to a body exfoliant and only used once per week. A body exfoliant can be used every other day, alternating with a gentle liquid body soap on opposite days. The steam from your shower will assist in opening your pores and aid in the products use. To exfoliate is to remove dead skin cells on the surface, which can build up and create a rough, uneven appearance over time. The process of exfoliation also promotes new cell turnover so you are always displaying fresh, healthy skin. Your exfoliant should also be custom for your skin type. You want all your facial products to compliment one another, not work against each other.

Summer Essential #7 ~ Water. Lucky number seven is actually for every day and all year round! I can not stress enough how much our bodies need water to function and flush out toxins that naturally build up. Our bodies are 2/3 water and our bodies need for water consumption is second only to oxygen! Drink up! Recent studies show that every adult should be drinking half of their body weight, in ounces. So if you are 145 pounds you should be drinking approximately 72 ounces, daily. We need to keep hydrated and our skin needs moisture from within to maintain a healthy appearance. Adequate water intake is key to overall body and skin care.

Have a Fun, Protected Summer and love yourself Skin Deep!