Summer’s here at long, long last – but how do you keep your skin in check? Claire Muffett-Reece talks face and body advice that’ll really make a difference
“Using SPF is of course paramount when it comes to protecting your skin”
“There’s the other areas you need to protect, with a wide-brimmed hat essential for shielding your head and neck”
“What you eat also plays a major part in keeping your skin healthy throughout the summer, so be sure to watch your diet as much as the amount of water you consume”
“Turn to water-rich foods such as cucumbers, watermelon, and strawberries; all ideal for hydration and also providing your skin with essential vitamins and antioxidants”
Facts/stats
Eighty-six per cent of skin cancer cases are preventable
(Cancer Research UK)
Eighty to 90% of how young or old you look for your age is due to how much sun exposure you’ve sustained
(Sunsafe Rx)
Being sunburnt five or more times doubles your risk for melanoma
(Skin Cancer Foundation)
Summer’s a wonderful thing. Warm evening walks, trips to the beach and sitting in pub beer gardens – plus everyone just seems a lot friendlier. And while a dose of the sun’s wonderful for a host of reasons, from strengthening your bones to boosting your immune system and even staving off depression, it should also be approached with extreme caution. An estimated 8,290 people will die of melanoma in 2024; with other factors such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke and premature aging all added to the equation. It’s therefore vital you protect your skin from top to toe in the warmer months, with these super-simple tips to give you just the right amount of glow all summer long.
SCREEN TIME
Using SPF is of course paramount when it comes to protecting your skin, with daily use of factor 15 able to reduce your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by about 40%, and lower your melanoma risk by 50%. But that’s not all, as it can also help prevent premature skin aging including wrinkles, sagging and age spots. With this taken into account be sure to use SPF each and every day, checking the expiration date of any creams you have at home and getting rid of any past their prime. The higher the SPF is, of course, the better, applying to all exposed areas of skin at least 15 minutes before you venture outside. It should then be reapplied every two hours, continuing this pattern until you’re back inside for the day. Been in the water but think you don’t need to apply that sun cream as regularly because you’re wearing an SPF that’s waterproof or water-resistant? Think again; as it will still wear off after time.
IN THE SHADE
Understand that it’s just as important to wear as much sunscreen in the UK as you would do abroad this summer? This statistic unfortunately reveals otherwise, showing that in fact many over 50s simply neglect to do so. It’s therefore vital you don’t become one of those numbers, covering up all areas of exposed skin even if you plan to keep your feet firmly on British soil for 2024. Remember your ears, the back of your neck and even your lips; all of which can soon become sunburnt, and be mindful that although cloud cover does offer a tiny amount of protection; it’s severely limited. In fact, the sun is actually strong enough to damage your skin from mid-March to mid-October – with over 90% of UV rays still able to pass through any clouds and cause sunburn.
WHAT NOT TO WEAR
Next on our list of looking after your skin and keeping you cool and comfortable during the summer months is what you choose to wear. Light – in particular white – coloured clothes have long been associated with keeping you cool, reflecting the sun’s rays rather than a darker colour would absorb it. When it comes to the thickness of the material you should also remember to choose lightweight woven fabrics such as cotton and silk. This is especially important when it’s hot and humid, as the sweat your clothes have already soaked up doesn’t have anywhere to go. Then there’s the other areas you need to protect, with a wide-brimmed hat essential for shielding your head and neck. Eyecare in the form of good quality, SPF-approved sunglasses are also a necessity, and you should even think about the type of footwear you choose to wear; looking for shoes made from breathable materials, such as canvas or leather to keep your feet dry and cool, preventing blisters, discomfort, and unpleasant odours.
WASHING UP
Want to keep your skin in optimum condition over the hotter months and think showering more than once a day is best? In fact, that’s not actually the case – washing this often has the opposite effect, with frequently taking hot or long showers stripping your skin of important oils and leading to dry, itchy patches. Of course you want to keep any body odour to a minimum, so with this in mind you should aim to stick to one shower a day, following with a good body lotion to lock in moisture and keep your skin hydrated. And don’t forget about factoring your face into the equation, regularly cleaning, exfoliating and moisturising your skin on a daily basis, to unblock pores and free them from any dirt and bacteria. If you wear make-up you should also now swap heavier winter foundations to a lightweight tinted moisturiser, to prevent sweat from being trapped underneath and prevent your finished look turning into a caked-on mess when venturing out into the hot weather.
HYDRATION IS KEY
When it comes to looking after your skin this summer there’s nothing better than keeping your hydration levels up, aiming for two litres of water a day if you find yourself in a heatwave. However, don’t go over the top when it comes to drinking plenty of fluids, as an excessive intake can actually have a detrimental effect, with extreme overconsumption in rare circumstances leading to hyponatraemia (low sodium levels in the blood); life-threatening in severe cases. Unsure what’s right for you? Pop along to your local pharmacy for some handy advice. And don’t panic if you can’t stand drinking water on its own. Buy sugar-free squash or add a few natural ingredients in to a glass of still or sparkling water, such as orange or lemon slices, berries, pineapple or other fresh fruit.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
What you eat also plays a major part in keeping your skin healthy throughout the summer, so be sure to watch your diet as much as the amount of water you consume. Processed foods, sugary snacks and refined carbohydrates such as white bread and rice are ones to ideally limit; all of which can cause a swift rise in blood glucose levels casing acne in the process. Instead, turn to water-rich foods such as cucumbers, watermelon, and strawberries; all ideal for hydration and also providing your skin with essential vitamins and antioxidants. Teamed with your minimum of five portions of fruit and veg a day, plus healthy fats and zinc-rich foods like shellfish and lean red meat; it’ll see your skin glowing for all the right reasons throughout the summer months.
