10 top tips for summer skin survival.

1. Slop on some sunscreen. This is the best defense against sunburn, photoageing and skin cancers. Make sure you use a broad spectrum, SPF 50+ sunscreen and apply 30 minutes prior to heading outside, and reapply every 2-4 hours. Make sure it’s water resistant if swimming or exercising. 2. Slap on a hat. Don’t forget to put on a hat, to stop the sun’s harmful UV rays reaching your scalp, face and ears. This will also help protect your hair from UV damage. But make sure it’s a broad-brimmed hat (at least 7.5cm), not a baseball cap. 3. Slip on protective clothing. Look for clothing that covers as much skin as possible. Materials that have a close weave give higher UV protection. Cotton, polyester/cotton and linen materials are lightweight, cool to wear and when tightly woven can protect against 95% of UV radiation. Some clothes are given an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating, indicating how much of the sun’s rays are absorbed by the fabric. For example one with UPF30 will allow only 1/30 of UV light to penetrate. 4. Slide on some sunglasses. Prolonged UV exposure can cause redness of they eyes, just as our skin can burn. Over time, UV damage can result in eye problems such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Make sure your sunglasses meet the Australian/New Zealand standard for sunglasses (Category 2, 3 or 4). Oversized sunglasses are ‘in’: so you can look great and protect your eyes at the same time! 5. Seek shade. Staying in the shade is one way to reduce sun exposure, but you still need other sun protection measures (clothing, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen) to avoid reflected UV radiation. 6. Protect your pout. Sun damage can lead to dry, cracked, scaly lips, as well as skin cancers. So love your lips and put on a lip balm. Look for lip-specific products that have an SPF 30 or higher. If you wear lipstick, darker shades provide more UV defense than sheer, glossy ones. 7. Fake it, don’t bake it. Forget sunbathing and tanning booths. Fake tans are now better than ever, and come in lotion, cream, gel and spray form. Most have the active ingredient dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which coats dead skin cells with colours. The “tan” then disappears when the cells are washed off or sloughed off. Exfoliating for a few days prior to application will help ensure a longer lasting, more even colour. And remember, a fake tan will not provide you with any protection against the sun’s UV rays, so you will still need to apply a sunscreen. 8. Get up and glow. For radiant summer skin, look for moisturisers that contain anti-oxidants (such as Vitamin C, E, B3) to help mop up free radicals produced by sun exposure. Use weather appropriate products: pack away the thicker winter creams and go for lighter lotions and serums. If you are prone to acne, make sure you choose oil-free products. 9. Powder your nose. “Functional coloured cosmetics”, such as foundation, powder, blush, eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara and lipstick are the second most important anti-ageing products after sunscreen and also reduce the incidence of skin cancer particular around the eye. Due to their unique blend of SPF ingredients, pigments and reflectors of solar radiation they should be a vital part of every woman’s anti-ageing and skin cancer prevention regime. So layer it up: apply sunscreen first, and then make-up on top. 10. Drink up! Water that is….. Make sure you drink plenty of water to keep your body and your skin hydrated. And don’t forget to rinse off after swimming and apply a moisturiser to avoid dry, irritated skin.

10 top tips for summer skin survival.

1. Slop on some sunscreen.

This is the best defense against sunburn, photoageing and skin cancers. Make sure you use a broad spectrum, SPF 50+ sunscreen and apply 30 minutes prior to heading outside, and reapply every 2-4 hours. Make sure it’s water resistant if swimming or exercising.

2. Slap on a hat.

Don’t forget to put on a hat, to stop the sun’s harmful UV rays reaching your scalp, face and ears. This will also help protect your hair from UV damage. But make sure it’s a broad-brimmed hat (at least 7.5cm), not a baseball cap.

3. Slip on protective clothing.

Look for clothing that covers as much skin as possible. Materials that have a close weave give higher UV protection. Cotton, polyester/cotton and linen materials are lightweight, cool to wear and when tightly woven can protect against 95% of UV radiation. Some clothes are given an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating, indicating how much of the sun’s rays are absorbed by the fabric. For example one with UPF30 will allow only 1/30 of UV light to penetrate.

4. Slide on some sunglasses.

Prolonged UV exposure can cause redness of they eyes, just as our skin can burn. Over time, UV damage can result in eye problems such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Make sure your sunglasses meet the Australian/New Zealand standard for sunglasses (Category 2, 3 or 4). Oversized sunglasses are ‘in’: so you can look great and protect your eyes at the same time!

5. Seek shade.

Staying in the shade is one way to reduce sun exposure, but you still need other sun protection measures (clothing, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen) to avoid reflected UV radiation.

6. Protect your pout.

Sun damage can lead to dry, cracked, scaly lips, as well as skin cancers. So love your lips and put on a lip balm. Look for lip-specific products that have an SPF 30 or higher. If you wear lipstick, darker shades provide more UV defense than sheer, glossy ones.

7. Fake it, don’t bake it.

Forget sunbathing and tanning booths. Fake tans are now better than ever, and come in lotion, cream, gel and spray form. Most have the active ingredient dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which coats dead skin cells with colours. The “tan” then disappears when the cells are washed off or sloughed off. Exfoliating for a few days prior to application will help ensure a longer lasting, more even colour. And remember, a fake tan will not provide you with any protection against the sun’s UV rays, so you will still need to apply a sunscreen.

8. Get up and glow.

For radiant summer skin, look for moisturisers that contain anti-oxidants (such as Vitamin C, E, B3) to help mop up free radicals produced by sun exposure. Use weather appropriate products: pack away the thicker winter creams and go for lighter lotions and serums. If you are prone to acne, make sure you choose oil-free products.

9. Powder your nose.

“Functional coloured cosmetics”, such as foundation, powder, blush, eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara and lipstick are the second most important anti-ageing products after sunscreen and also reduce the incidence of skin cancer particular around the eye. Due to their unique blend of SPF ingredients, pigments and reflectors of solar radiation they should be a vital part of every woman’s anti-ageing and skin cancer prevention regime. So layer it up: apply sunscreen first, and then make-up on top.

10. Drink up! Water that is…..

Make sure you drink plenty of water to keep your body and your skin hydrated. And don’t forget to rinse off after swimming and apply a moisturiser to avoid dry, irritated skin.