Most people – especially those who live far from the equator – look forward to the summer months of long days, outdoor activities and perfect tanning weather. Summer is the time when most vacations are taken and many long-distance trips are made. But while summer weather is incredibly appealing, it also poses serious risks to our health and looks.
We have collected some tips and natural remedies to prevent and fix the most common beauty problems we encounter during the summer months. Absolutely everyone deals with them, so be sure to read the article all the way through to ensure a safe, fun summer!
1. Sweating
- Deodorants may help but only if you use them right way. It is way more useful if you apply deodorant in the evening before you go to sleep. If you do so, you leave enough time for the deodorant’s active ingredients to get into the sweat ducts and clog them. If you apply deodorant in the morning, it’s likely to be immediately washed off with sweat as the active ingredients are still on the skin’s surface and don’t work.
- Avoid spicy food, alcohol, and coffee. Your body will react to them the same way it does to hot weather.
- There are some natural remedies that can help you to avoid excessive sweating. Apple cider vinegar removes bacteria and closes up pores. Simply apply it to your sweaty areas in the evening and wash it off in the morning. Cornstarch and baking soda are very good at absorbing. Make a mixture and apply it to your sweaty areas for half an hour, then wash it off. Lemon juice complete with citric acid kills bacteria and reduces sweating; you just have to rub your skin with a piece of lemon. Rubbing your sweaty areas with a potato slice has amazing drying effects as it absorbs excess water from your skin.
- Sweat not only causes an inconvenience for you, but it also leaves stains on your clothes. But there are some things you can use to get rid of them. You can make a thick paste with baking soda or crushed aspirin by adding a little water to it. Water down the sweat stain you want to get rid of, then put the paste on the stain and leave it there for 5-10 minutes. After that, wash the soiled clothes as you usually do.
2. Sunburns
- Choose the broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects you from both UVA and UVB rays. SPF should be optimal for your skin type, but doctors recommend using a minimum SPF of 30.
- Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going out and reapply regularly while staying in the sun, especially after you get wet. If you’re sweaty, rub yourself off with a towel.
- If you can’t avoid staying in the sun for a long time or during the midday hours when the rays are the strongest, it’s better not to rely on just sunscreen. You should cover yourself with clothing and wear a hat. Dark clothing can block more sunlight than lighter colored items can.
- If you failed to prevent a sunburn, there are some natural remedies that can help you soothe the skin and relieve pain when applied. The best are yogurt, cool milk, mashed cucumber or aloe. You can also take a bath with a cup of apple cider vinegar in it.
3. Melting makeup
- Before applying makeup, take an ice cube and gently massage your face and neck with it, pat your skin dry with a clean towel and start applying your makeup.
- Use mineral makeup and products with lighter formulas instead of heavy, oily, creamy ones. Choose products in powder form and apply as few layers of makeup on your face as possible.
4. Dry skin
- Eat more food rich in antioxidants and protein. They stimulate collagen growth, keeping your skin young, beautiful and wrinkle-free.
- Forget about chemical peels and any products with glycolic acids and retinoids. They make your skin very sensitive to the sun which causes serious damage during the summer months.
5. Hair problems
- Tight hairstyles can be damaging to your hair, so change them out for more loose, comfortable styles from time to time.
- Wash your hair less often, just a couple times a week. This prevents your scalp from overdrying and stimulates oil production in your skin. If your hair gets sweaty or greasy between washes, simply rinse them with water in the shower without shampoo or use dry shampoo if it’s really necessary.
- Use a hat when you are in the sun and hair products with UV protection.
6. An oily face
- Avoid over-drying your skin after using cleansers with aggressive ingredients. Also avoid ingredients that clog your pores such as mineral oil, petroleum, and petrolatum.
- A good natural remedy for oily skin is to stir ground oatmeal with hot water and add a tablespoon of honey to it. Apply this paste to your face for 3 minutes and then wash it off with water.
7. Acne breakouts
- Avoid sugary and starchy products to control acne. Instead, add lots of fruits and vegetables into your diet which are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and other essential nutrients important for your skin health.
- If you have acne on your body, change your clothes and opt for more loose, comfortable styles. If you get sweaty while wearing your clothes, wash them before putting them back on.
8. Heat rash
- Wear light, loose clothes made of natural fabrics.
- Make a cool compress with a tea bag. After making yourself a cup of tea, put the tea bag in the fridge to cool it off and then apply it to the irritated skin to relieve itching.
- Stay as cool and dry as possible, use fans and air conditioning, take showers when possible, and exercise outdoors in the morning or evening when it’s cool.
- Get some pulp from aloe vera leaves and apply it onto the skin a few times a day. It’s a great way to soothe the skin and make it heal faster.
It’s really important to remember that all of these problems can be caused by dehydration. Since your body loses way more water during hot summer days, you should increase your water consumption significantly. It will help you to avoid many beauty and health problems.