BEAT THE HEAT AND KEEP YOUR NATURAL GLOW

Keeping skin glowing and healthy in the warmer months may take a little tweaking to a person’s skin care routine. The heat and humidity and spending more time in the sun can all have an effect on skin condition but some of the basics stay the same no matter the time of year.

“The most important thing is to wear sunblock at all times throughout the year,” said Rita Collins, dermatology-certified nurse practitioner at Dermatology and Age Management which is owned by HealthCARE Express. “It needs to have an SPF of at least 30 and it needs to have zinc oxide in it too. It blocks the UVA and UVB rays which help prevent skin cancer and sun damage.”

“I would also emphasize other barriers like hats, long sleeves, sunglasses and for people to reapply sunblock every two hours, particularly if they’re going in and out,” Collins said. “As people get older and wiser and they experience skin cancers and treatment for precancers they realize they need to protect their skin and stay out of tanning beds. Younger people don’t necessarily realize the effects but I am see more skin cancers in younger people. … Really the most important thing I can tell people is to use sun block and reapply every two hours.”

Skin care needs to start early in life.

“For children, keep them covered up with barriers including hats, sun glasses and clothing and minimize exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.,” Collins said.

The need for a good moisturizer depends on the individual.

“If someone has oily skin they may not need a moisturizer but they do need a sunblock and most are moisturizing. There are products geared toward acne-prone skin where it won’t worsen their acne,” Collins said.

Cleanser is an important part of caring for skin. “The type of cleanser depends on a person’s skin type but primarily you want to use a gentle skin cleanser,” Collins said.

It’s not just what a person puts on their skin, what they put inside their bodies is also important.

“It’s important to drink enough water. We typically recommend at least eight glasses of water a day, more if they’re active,” Collins said. “Also exercising and eating well and being in hormonal balance will help with your complexion.”

For smokers, quitting smoking can improve their skin’s appearance.

“Smoking can significantly age you,” Collins said.