As beautiful as the summer sun is it can wreak havoc on your skin leaving it severely dehydrated.
To ensure your tan is as perfect as it can be it is important that your skin is in good (if not fantastic) condition.
To check if your skin is hydrated or not is simple - scratch a small area on your arm or leg with your fingernail. If if leaves a white mark your skin is dry and in need of some TLC!
Below are some simple and easy steps to restore your skins hydration levels!
You've heard it a thousand times before but I'm going to say it again.
Drink water - at least 2 litres a day.
Hydrate from the inside out and get on the Omega Train. Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids limit water loss in skin cells, keeping you looking and feeling refreshed They’ll also help soften the appearance of wrinkles and boost your skin’s ability to regenerate.
Use The Whole Veggie. Silica helps to hydrate your skin and maintain elasticity. While easily found in fruits and vegetables, often this nutrient gets thrown away because it’s found in the peels. Try keeping the skin on your fruit and veggies were you can to get the full benefits from our super foods.
Make Vitamins Your BFF. Vitamin B helps to restore collagen (a protein that keeps it firm) in the skin, which is especially important as you age. So load up on Vitamin B-full foods like whole grains and protein to keep your skin looking fantastic! Vitamin C also helps with the formation of collagen, and therefore can reduce wrinkles and increase hydration, so citri-cize your diet with oranges, strawberries, grapefruits and broccoli.
Limit Junk Food. Foods with refined sugars dehydrate your skin, making it dry and less clear.
Skip the long, steamy showers and opt for shorter and cooler ones. Long, hot showers strip skin of its moisture and wash away protective oils. So limit showers to 10 minutes and keep the water cool.
Exfoliate a gentle exfoliation daily can do wonders for your skin. Stripping the dead skin cells away, smoothing the skin and improving its circulation. Try a dry body brush before your shower or for extra-smooth skin sprinkle a few drops of an alpha-hydroxy product on your exfoliate mit before scrubbing.
Run a humidifier every night to moisturize the air in your bedroom. Not only will it ease itchy, dry skin, you’ll be able to breathe the moist air more easily.
Use body products that are kind to your skin. Body products that contain soap, fragrances and perfumes can be harsh and very drying to your skin.
To encourage natural looking tanned hands and feet ensure skin is smooth and moisterised. Slather on moisturizing cream and then slip hands and feet into thin fabric socks and gloves while you sleep. Exfoliate thoroughly.
Use unscented baby powder to keep areas where skin meets skin—like the inner thighs, underarms, beneath large breasts—clean and dry. It is recommended that spray tan can not be applied to areas with broken skin or severe irritation.
Be Sun Smart. If you’re gearing up for a day in the sun cover up and use SPF sun protection. Sun burnt severely dehydrates skin and can cause irreversible skin damage.
Smooth aloe vera gel over extra-dry skin. The acids in aloe eat away dead skin cells and speed up the healing process. Cut off an end of an aloe leaf, split open, and spread the gel on the dry area.
Plunk your rough, dry elbows into grapefruit halves. First exfoliate your elbows in your bath or shower, then cut a grapefruit in half and rest one elbow on each half, letting them soak for 15 minutes. The acid in the grapefruit provides extra smoothing power.
Switch moisturizers every time the seasons change. Your skin needs more moisture in the winter than in the summer. So put aside the heavy moisturizer for the warmer months and choose a lighter option.
SOURCES
The Beauty Bean (www.thebeautybean.com) Hydrate Your Skin From The Inside Out : 5 Foods That Moisterize
Best Health Mag (www.besthealthmag.ca) 21 Tricks For Healthy Skin
