5 End-of-Summer Skincare Tips

Are you feeling the end-of-summer blues? Don't fret. There’s one summer benefit you can maintain – your sun-kissed summer glow. You can strut into fall with healthy-looking, moisturized, soft skin. 

Signs of Sun Damage

Before you begin your fall skincare regimen, first do a summer skin check-up. If you enjoyed long summer days outdoors, by the end of the summer you may have noticed changes in your skin. Below are signs to look for, if your skin has suffered sun damage. If you have any of these symptoms, now is the time to address them with a skin renewal regimen.

• Darker age spots
• Increased freckles
• Rough skin
• Dull skin
• Dry skin
• Blotchy skin tone
• Weathered, chapped lips
• Rosacea (red blotches and bumps on face)
• Sunburn
• Atypical moles (moles that have irregular borders, uneven surface, change colors or get darker). Visit a medical professional to have them examined.
• Wrinkles, laugh lines, and crow’s feet
• Sun aging (colors the skin on the neck and cheeks a reddish-brown)

Fall Skincare Regimen

Don’t be alarmed by the concept of a skincare regimen. Your bathroom counter or vanity will not look like the beauty counter at a large department store. You just need a few skin nourishing and protecting products. The key is to use them consistently. Follow these 5 simple tips to keep your skin moisturized and glowing into the fall and winter months.

• Treat sun damage – Time to even out sunspots and splotchy dark patches on your face. Make a natural, exfoliating face mask that is antioxidant-rich, nutrient-rich, and contains naturally occurring alpha hydroxy acids (exfoliants). Foods with natural alpha hydroxy acids that make great face masks are citrus fruits, apples, grapes, papaya, guava, lactic acid (milk and yogurt), and glycolic acid (sugar) to name a few.

• Exfoliate – The summer sun may leave your skin dry, dull, and damaged. Slough away dead layers of skin with a body scrub to expose healthier skin underneath.

• Moisturize – The heat and light of the sun is extremely drying to your skin. Repair and replenish your skin with a deep-penetrating, nutrient-dense moisturizer. Body butters are formulated for this task because they contain omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidant vitamins A, C and E.

• Sunscreen – Although the sun may not be as intense in the fall and winter months or gets hidden by clouds, you still need broad-spectrum protection from the sun’s rays. Choose a non-nano zinc oxide sunscreen. Don’t be misled by marketing gimmicks and buy a sunscreen with a high SPF (sun protection factor). Anything over SPF 45 does not offer you additional protection. Definitely steer clear of aerosol sunscreens. Most are alcohol-based, which evaporates quickly. They’re thin, so it might miss spots and they’re harmful to your lungs and the environment.

• Nutrition – Skin health begins on the inside. What we put on the inside manifests on the outside. Eat whole foods. Stay away from the prepackaged, genetically engineered processed stuff. Choose fresh, organic fruits and vegetables that are packed with nutrient-rich vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants. The rule of thumb is − the deeper the color, the more nutrients the produce contains. Get a variety of fruits and vegetables by eating produce that is in season.

So, as we officially say, “Goodbye,” to summer, we don’t have to say, “Goodbye,” to sun-kissed skin. You just have to readjust your skincare routine to prepare for the colder, dryer months ahead. Be consistent in your application of these tips and you will enjoy the results of glowing, radiant skin.