Summer is the time for outdoor fun!  Between trips to the beach, picnics, gardening, outdoor concerts and sports events, you may be logging a lot of time in the summer sun and heat.  While sunlight can elevate your mood and help you get vitamin D, too much sun exposure can compromise your health.  That's why it's important to know basic skincare guidelines so you can remain healthy in the heat!
     Summer heat can do a number on your skin.  Often times, people are less likely to use moisturizer during the summer because their skin appears shinier in the heat and humidity.  Sweat, however, actually dries skin.  If you wash your face more frequently in the summer, you may also be causing dryness.  So, it's important to moisturize even in the summer months.  If you want the glow of a tan without the risk of sun damage, you can even use tinted moisturizer to get a "tan" while caring for your skin.
     Overexposure to sun can lead to serious health
issues.  UVA and UVB rays can cause sunburns, premature aging (wrinkles!), eye damage and possibly skin cancer.  Sun and heat can also cause acne, rosacea, eczema and irritated skin. (Click the links to find out more.)  Remember, skin cancer accounts for half the new cancer diagnosis in the U.S., so it's important to protect yourself! Here are a few tips to protect yourself from these health risks:

• Keeping hydrated is extremely important for optimum skin health.
• Wear a UVA/UVB sunblock of at least SPF 15, even on cloudy days...and don't forget to wear sunglasses to protect the eyes.
• Apply sunblock 20-30 minutes before sun exposure--if your skin hasn't had time to absorb the sunscreen, it can't protect you.
• We all know to wearing hats and long-sleeves can minimize sun exposure--but be advised that you can still get sun through thin or loosely-woven fabrics.