5 Ways to Protect Your Skin This Spring Break

Spring is a time of year when you’re ready to put the winter blues behind you and enjoy some sunshine. It’s also a time for you to ramp up your skincare game. After months of exposure to hot, dehydrating indoor air and harsh, cold outdoor air, your skin could use some TLC. Here are 5 ways to protect and rejuvenate your skin this spring so that you can enjoy the summer weather and look your best while also giving your skin the nourishment and care it needs.

5 Ways to Protect Your Skin This Spring Break

Sunscreen

Wearing sunscreen is the best and easiest way to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Regular use of sunscreen can protect you against sunburns, skin cancer, and premature aging. Make sunscreen a part of your daily skincare routine and use it on your face and all sun-exposed parts of your body.

Pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation and that’s appropriate for your skin type.

Remember, you need to wear sunscreen even on cloudy days. It’s a good idea to apply the sunscreen about 30 minutes before you head outdoors and reapply it after swimming or sweating.

We recommend EltaMD UV Daily SPF 40 as a great all-around sunscreen.  If you want a more in-depth list of sunscreens we offer, please see our blog entitled “5 Sunscreens for Every Skin Type.”

Our FAVORITE sunscreen in the EltaMD UV Daily

Price: $30.50 for 1.7 oz (50 mL)  SHOP NOW

Core 4 Category:  4 – Protect.  Blocks the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays that cause premature aging, sunburn, and skin cancer.  Learn more about Core 4 here.

SPF 40

Type: Mineral/Chemical (Combination) Sunscreen

Key Features: The EltaMD UV Daily is a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects your skin against both UVA and UVB rays.  This SPF 40 sunscreen contains hyaluronic acid to boost hydration and help to reduce fine lines.  It’s an excellent lightweight sunscreen and moisturizer that be worn by itself or under makeup.  Tinted and untinted formulas are available, making it a great choice for daily use for all skin types.

SPF Clothing and Hat

Sun-protective clothing is another highly effective way to protect your skin from the sun. And unlike sunscreen, you don’t need to reapply it! Look for clothing labels that list the UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) or SPF (sun protection factor) of a fabric. A UPF50 fabric blocks 98% of the sun’s rays, thus reducing your exposure significantly. Wearing a hat that protects your face is always a smart idea when you will be in the sun for an extended period of time.

If you don’t want to invest in SPF clothing, you can make smart clothing choices, such as:

• Covering as much skin as possible with long sleeves and pants/long skirts.
• Wearing dark colors which offer better protection than lighter shades because they absorb the sun’s rays rather than allow them to penetrate.
• Choosing densely woven fabrics rather than sheer or loosely woven fabrics.
• Wearing loose-fitting clothing (tight-fitted clothes can stretch and allow more UV rays to pass through).

Some of our FAVORITE UPF Clothing is Cabana Life

We carry all of our UPF Protective clothing in our Skin for Life Boutique located in Mountain Brook, AL.  We also offer other brands of UPF clothing like Coolibar UPF Clothing and Kooringal Hats.  Please stop by our office at 2900 Cahaba Rd Birmingham, AL 35223 to shop our store.

Limiting Sun Exposure

Another way to protect your skin this spring is to stay out of the sun between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm when the sun is strongest. Try to schedule outdoor activities for the early morning or late evening hours. Check the UV index for your area, and if it’s particularly high, maybe stay indoors if you burn easily.

If you go outdoors, say to the beach, choose your spot wisely (in the shade). Remember, while sunscreen offers protection, it does not make you completely immune to the harmful effects of sunlight.

Hydration

Your skin is a natural barrier that protects you against a wide variety of harmful elements in the environment. Keeping your skin hydrated is important for it to look fresh, well-rested, and youthful, but also for other reasons. Your skin needs hydration to function properly. Dehydrated skin is more prone to breaking and cracking.

A quick pinch test can tell you if your skin lacks hydration (your skin will remain tented after a pinch). Note that dehydrated skin and dry skin are two different things, although both can occur together.

You can boost your skin’s hydration by steering clear of hot showers and baths, avoiding harsh cleansers and over-cleansing, and using skincare products with hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring substance in our skin, and replacing it keeps your skin hydrated during prolonged exposure to the sun.

Our FAVORITE product for hydration is HA5

Price: $120 for 1.0 oz  SHOP NOW

Core 4 Category:  3 – Replenish.  Increase the skin’s hydration level, improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Manufacturer: SkinMedica

Key Features: HA5 contains 5 different types of medical-grade hyaluronic acid which provides immediate smoothing in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  HA5 also supports the skin’s natural ability to retain moisture resulting in radiant, rejuvenated tone and texture. Appropriate for all skin types.

Cleansing your skin

Cleansing your skin is the most basic step in a good skincare routine. However, as you have probably learned, it is one of the most overlooked steps as well. Cleansing your skin after a long day outside is imperative to remove dirt, oil, make-up, and other substances that can clog your pores. Choosing a cleanser that can remove all of the “bad stuff” without stripping and drying out your skin is important. Moreover, your cleanser doesn’t need to be packed with ingredients that can clog your pores. Therefore, looking for a good cleanser that is “Noncomedogenic” is very important. Noncomedogenic is simply a word that means the product won’t clog your pores.

One of our FAVORITE cleansers is the Epionce Lytic Gel Cleanser

Price: $38   SHOP NOW

Why We Love It!  One of our favorites, this multiple award winner (SHAPE and NewBeauty Magazine ) is perfect for those with oily or problem skin!  It effectively dissolves dirt, oil, and makeup and calms irritated skin’s visible appearance without over-drying or leaving the skin feeling tight or stripped of its natural oils.

Skincare Line:  Epionce

Key Benefits: 
Removes stubborn dirt, oil, and makeup
Cleanses without irritation or over-drying
Refreshes and calms problem skin

Final Thoughts

Simple steps and a little bit of care can keep your skin looking and feeling healthy and beautiful. Try tweaking your spring skincare routine this year and start preparing it for the warmer weather. If you have specific skin concerns, such as acne, rosacea, aging skin, dry skin, or dull skin, it may be worthwhile to stop in for a consult with one of our Skincare Specialists in our Skin for Life Boutique for guidance on the best skincare products for your skin type.

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