The wait for Chicago summer is finally almost over! We’ve braved the winter, suffered through seemingly endless drab cloudy days and it's finally time to head outside and enjoy our summer! But summer isn't all sunshine and roses, even though there is plenty of both, there are some concerns with being out in the heat. Our hair and skin can really take a beating this time of year! So what can we do to stop the dryness, frizziness, dry skin and sunburns? We've got you covered! Here’s part two, Skincare!

Sunscreen! Sunscreen! Sunscreen!

I know, every person who even remotely cares about skin care evangelizes sunscreen to no end. But there is a good reason for that, it's super important for maintaining and ensuring long lasting healthy skin. The sun's UV rays can damage your skin and lead to dark spots and premature aging but also more serious skin concerns like sunburns and skin cancer. If you're worried about greasy sunscreens making you break out, there are a whole plethora of skincare friendly sunscreens out there! Make sure to use at least 30 spf!

Hydrate Both Inside and Out!

What happens when you dump a glass of water outside on a super hot summer day? It almost instantly disappears and evaporates, never to be seen again. Now imagine what the heat is doing to the water inside you! Skin is prone to dehydration during the summer. It is very important to add in hydrating serums, cleaners and moisturizers. Don't forget to also drink plenty of water, as a hydrated body means hydrated skin!

Antioxidants Are Your Best Friend

Turns out those blueberries don't just taste good, they're good for you too! Antioxidants are compounds that help eliminate unwanted particles in our system that do us harm. Ingredients like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, niacinamide, and ferulic acid are all considered antioxidants. They are especially helpful for removing and protecting our skin from the negative aspects of sun exposure and the UV radiation that comes with it. Plus vitamin C is especially good at brightening and firming the skin reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation and sun spots. Serums are a fantastic way to add all that back into the skin!

Regular Facials

Going to see a skincare professional regularly should be a part of everyone's routine, but especially in extreme months like winter and summer. An esthetician can target exactly what your skin is lacking and can safely use higher concentrations of products than is recommended for the average consumer. It's a great way to thoroughly cleanse and bring back dull lifeless skin. 

Avoid Drying Out the Skin

As has been well established, the skin needs all the hydration it can get in the summertime. So we should avoid doing things that can strip and dry out the skin when it's hot out. First off, be careful of physical exfoliants. They're great for cleansing but over-exfoliating may be removing good oils from the face. Second, avoid peels. Removing the top layer of skin exposes it to the harsh UV rays, and that could lead to serious skin damage and none of the benefits. And finally make sure you are always adding moisturizer after cleansing. Just washing could be drying your skin out and counterintuitively causing more breakouts and oiliness. So pair your cleansing face wash with a light, antioxidant packed moisturizer.