Are you so excited that you just can't hide it? Your skin, that is. If you're like most people, you are beyond thrilled that the summer sun and heat are finally here. Not only did the winter seem to last forever, being locked down only made it more complicated. Well, the world is finally opening up, and not only are we going outside, but we're also getting out of our loungewear sets and showing ourselves off. But, something that comes with showing more skin in the warmer weather is our responsibility to take care of the skin we're in. Here's a list of things you can do to keep yourself healthy and glowing all summer long.

Exfoliation

For some, a weekly exfoliation is a given. For others, it may only happen before a spray tan. Or maybe you never exfoliate your body. If you're in any group aside from the first, you have to join the team weekly exfoliation. Not only are you sloughing off all the dead skin cells you accumulate throughout the days and the week, but you're also making your skin softer and better able to absorb all the products you use on it. So, start your summer with a thorough exfoliation of your whole body and face (most likely, these will be two different products as your facial skin is more delicate) and keep the trend up year-round. 

SPF 

It goes without saying that SPF needs to be applied to your body when you're spending time out in the sun. You need to be using sunscreen beyond just pool or beachside, though. When so much more of your skin is being exposed during the summer months, you want to make sure that you're applying an entire body SPF layer (minimum of 30 too). You'll likely use a different SPF for your face than your body (try going higher for facial SPF). If you're going to be highly active outdoors, you'll need to reapply every two to three hours. And, if you're going to be spending time under the sun during the times of the day when UV rays are their most potent (think afternoon), make sure you're reapplying them as well. It's never a bad idea to protect the delicate skin on your face with a hat, either, even after you've applied SPF. 

Routine Routines

Depending on your age, you may not have an established skincare routine yet, but honestly, this should be part of your day and night by the time you're in high school. If you're just now shopping for what to incorporate into your routine, something like a skincare kit is an excellent jumping-off point. You can easily purchase in a bundle a group of products that will target any concerns you have. If you can stick with your morning and nighttime routines, the benefits will pay off for a lifetime. Protecting your skin through the right products sets you up for success and maintains your glowing tan all summer long. 

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!

You already know you need to drink at least eight glasses a day, which works out to about half a gallon a day. Honestly, it's so easy to drink even more than that in the summertime. Stick to straight-up water for the most part when you're out in the heat to stay healthy and keep your skin tip top. Consuming water keeps your skin hydrated, which helps prevent fine lines and wrinkles in the long run. Plus, your whole body - not just your skin - benefits from the act of hydration. And hey, if you struggle to get all those glasses in a day, you can even buy motivational jugs for your daily recommended amount of water that cheer you on throughout the day and keep you on track. No judgment here! Do what you need to do. 

Food Matters

Summertime is all about vacationing, gathering with friends, and relaxing. Which, for most of us, means getting relaxed with what we're eating too. Let's face it, when you're out having fun with friends, it's hard always to order salads when they're all eating cheeseburgers. So, when you are at home, make sure you're choosing foods that will benefit your skin and overall health. A high fiber diet will help you achieve this quickly, so consuming lots of whole foods, going plant-based would be even better. 

So, add one or all of these to your summer skin arsenal, and you'll see results. Congratulations on making it through 2020 and being able to enjoy the summer of 2021! You deserve it.