Are you safe from the unique dangers of summer to your skin?

Summertime brings high temperatures and longer days in the sun. While this is a lot of fun, it can take a toll on your skin. So having a natural skin care plan (like our simple one below) can protect you from the summer sun all season long!

7 Natural Skin Care Tips to Follow Every Day of Summer

Protect your precious skin by following these seven simple tips every day.

1. Wear Lighter Colors and Gentle Materials

Lighter colors reflect the sun, while darker colors attract it. Just think about getting into a black car versus a white one after it’s been parked on a summer day. The black car will be much hotter inside!

So, wear light-colored clothing during the summer. Your body and skin will thank you for the relief.

Also, sensitive skin can be more prone to irritation during hotter weather. Sometimes it’s caused by excess sweating or substances in the environment. Either way, the clothing you choose may help reduce irritation.

Wear gentle material, like loose-fitting cotton shirts, and avoid material like lycra and nylon as much as possible.

Related post: 20 Natural Home Remedies for Sunburn to Soothe and Heal

2. Don’t Forget a Hat and Sunglasses

Don’t neglect the skin on your head and face! It’s thin and closest to the skin, making it especially vulnerable to the sun’s rays.

Your best choice is a hat with a wide brim all around. Baseball caps will cover your face in other weather, but summer months call for full coverage.

And remember your eyes are vulnerable too. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure from the sun can cause “sunburn of the eyes” and increase the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts as you age, according to the American Optometric Association.

Wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection along with your wide-brimmed hat when going outside this summer.

3. Drink Tons of Water—Especially if You Drink Coffee

The increased heat of summer means our bodies are losing more water—so the risk of dehydration increases. Symptoms of hydration can include headaches, dizziness, foggy brain, and low energy.

Dehydration affects your skin too. Dehydrated skin tries to compensate by making more oil. This can lead to acne breakouts, irritation, rashes, and dry patches.

Restore moisture in your body and skin by drinking water all throughout the day. Shoot for eight 8-ounce glasses per day. Carry a reusable water bottle with you at all times so you can always drink more.

Drinking water can also help:

• Naturally detoxify your body and skin
• Increase energy and mental focus
• Reduce cravings and appetite

And remember that coffees and teas, while delicious, are dehydrating. If you drink either, you’ll need to be extra diligent about water intake to replace what’s lost. (But herbal teas are okay and can actually help hydrate you more!)

4. Double Up on the Greens and Hydrating Produce

Along with drinking, drinking, drinking that water as natural skin care, the food you eat matters too.

Stock up on leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, and broccoli. And include other colorful and/or hydrating vegetables like:

• Cucumbers
• Tomatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Bell peppers
• Zucchini

If you’re not following a keto or low-carb diet, focus on hydrating summer fruits like:

• Cantaloupes
• Watermelon
• Cherries
• Strawberries
• Blackberries
• Peaches

• Apricots
• Plums

Not only are these foods hydrating, they contain fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins and minerals to naturally nourish your skin.

5. Ditch Processed Junk

Processed, sugary, salty, and fried foods and snacks are harmful to your body and skin. These foods can promote inflammation and leave you with a dull, sallow complexion.

Instead of snacks that come from a box or can, focus on healthy whole foods like the vegetables and fruits above, nuts and seeds, organic proteins, and healthy cooking oils.

And if you are gonna snack, choose healthier snack options like these!

6. Use a Healthy Sunscreen Brand

Along with the tips above, sunscreen can help protect you during long days in the sun. But quality matters:

• Avoid spray sunscreens, which pose inhalation risks, and anything labelled higher than SPF 50
• Check labels to avoid possibly toxic ingredients in common sunscreens. These include retinyl palmitate and endocrine-disrupting chemicals like oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, and these other potentially damaging ingredients
• Avoid products that combine sunscreen with bug repellent and any sunscreen wipes or powders, as these are not as effective

Find a healthy sunscreen brand and apply it regularly and often.

Related post: 11 Healthy Skin Care Ingredients for a Naturally Beautiful Complexion

7. Don’t Forget Supplements

The heat and activity of summer puts stress on your skin and body. These supplements are specifically supportive of healthier skin all season long:

• Omega-3s from fish oil or algae
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Probiotics
• Collagen supplements

Don’t forget your skin is your largest organ. Just like the rest of your body, it needs special attention to thrive—especially when the summer heat is beating down. Use these natural skin care tips to preserve a vibrant complexion all year round.

For more healthy skin care products at any time, shop our Skin Care section to grab just what you need today.

Disclaimer: Statements made have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.