We get it. You’re an active man with an action-packed schedule. Come summertime, and you only turn up the heat. You start squeezing-in beach trips between business calls and bonfires after a long day with the family.
As for skincare? That gets put on the back-burner. There’s no time for taking care of your skin when you need to beat the heat for your morning run or take an afternoon dip in the pool, right? Wrong!
More time in the sun means even more of a reason to start prioritizing your skin’s health and well-being. If not careful, sun damage can present itself on the skin as fine lines, rough texture, and discoloration.
At MadeMan, we are determined to improve men’s confidence in taking care of their skin. It’s okay if you were never taught exactly how to care for your skin. That changes today.
We are going to provide you with easy and effective summer skincare tips to keep you looking fresh and ready for every adventure.
Hydration
Sunshine equals sweat. When your body gets hot from being out in the heat, the hypothalamus — the part of your brain that monitors your body’s temperature — will trigger perspiration to act as a cooling system.
Sweat is made almost entirely out of water. So, excessive sweat may result in extreme water loss.
When your body lacks fluids, your skin cannot function properly and may crack, peel, itch, and become irritated. This is why staying hydrated, particularly during the summer, is of the utmost importance.
It is essential not to confuse oil on the skin for being hydrated. Having oily skin is a skin type, not a condition, meaning that those with oily skin are still susceptible to dehydration if not careful.
One tip for identifying whether your skin lacks hydration is to examine the dark circles beneath your eyes.
Dehydrated skin tends to exacerbate the appearance of bags below the eyes. If you notice this thin area of skin looking darker and puffier than usual, your body might just be asking for water.
Try the Pinch Test
Another tip is to try the pinch test, in which you pinch one of your cheeks and look to see if it wrinkles. If your face responds to the pressure by holding its shape, you are likely in the clear. If it does wrinkle, however, your skin cells are probably dehydrated.
The most obvious and easiest way to maintain your skin’s hydration is by drinking a sufficient amount of water. Increasing your water intake is great for your overall wellness but does work wonders for the skin.
The average recommended amount for men is 15.5 cups of water a day. Reaching or exceeding this amount will support skin that is better resistant to sun damage and healthier-looking.
Invest in Hydration
Another way to maintain your skin’s hydration is to use hydrating products. Moisturizers are intended to protect and nourish the skin, so we recommend investing in a moisturizer that hydrates and keeps your face feeling fresh.
Try The Refresher! This all-in-one moisturizer penetrates your skin with the nutrients it needs to restore, repair, and protect. This water-based product is perfect for the summer because of its ability to smooth out your skin, give your face maximum hydration, and defeat sun damage.
These benefits stem from the all-natural ingredients used in the product’s formula. Some ingredients include chicory root, castor seed oil, vitamin C, and Indian ginseng extract.
Mica, covered in titanium dioxide, is especially useful for the summertime because of its ability to reflect harmful rays from the sun. Mica gives your skin radiance, while titanium dioxide protects against radiation.
For the full list of ingredients, click here.
Vitamins and Nutrients
One of the easiest ways to protect your skin while on the go is to increase your vitamin and nutrient intake. Diet plays a larger part in the appearance of skin than people may think. Here are two of the best — and most convenient — vitamins and nutrients for supporting your skin throughout the summertime.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a great vitamin to implement into your routine during the summer. One of the key features of vitamin A is making the skin firmer and more supple. For this reason, the consumption or application of vitamin A can help protect against ultraviolet damage.
There are a couple of different ways to access vitamin A outside of finding foods rich in the vitamin. The first is through a supplement.
Vitamin A is also found in retinoids. Retinoids are chemically related to vitamin A and can be used to fade dark spots, reduce fine lines, and prevent breakouts.
They work by going beneath the outer layer of the skin and neutralizing free radicals, which are unstable molecules responsible for damaging the skin. This then contributes to faster cell turnover and the promotion of cellular exfoliation.
Finally, you can increase your vitamin A intake by eating foods rich in organic molecules. Vitamin A can almost always be found in dairy products, fish, and fortified cereals.
Some specific food recommendations include:
- Shrimp
- Eggs
- Milk
- Liver
- Salmon
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Some of the best nutrients for supporting your skin are omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s improve the fatty acid composition in your skin. As a result, this action can balance out your skin’s inflammatory response and improve hydration which, as we have already discussed, is key for the summertime.
Increasing your body’s levels of omega-3 fatty acids is accomplished through the consumption of foods or supplements. There are three main omega-3 fatty acids (ALA, EPA, and DHA), and your body can produce ALA and convert ALA into EPA and DHA when you eat foods rich in ALA or take dietary supplements like fish oil. It is generally recommended that men consume 1.6 grams of ALA.
Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids include:
- Plant oils
- Seafood
- Nuts and seeds
- Fortified foods
Sunscreen
Probably the most important tool for you to utilize during a sunny summer day is sunscreen. The central function of sunscreen is to use ultraviolet filters and active ingredients to protect your skin from sun damage that includes photoaging.
Treating the effects of sun damage, which include dark spots, wrinkles, roughness, and redness, can be costly and time-consuming. These negative consequences can be avoided by applying sunscreen after your moisturizer every morning.
The amount of sunscreen you apply can vary from person to person, but it is generally advised that you use a nickel-sized dollop on your face. This equals about .04 ounces.
It is important to ensure that you are using the right kind of sunscreen. First, you need to choose between physical and chemical sunscreen.
- Physical sunscreen, also referred to as mineral sunscreen, has ingredients that block and scatter the sun’s rays before they can penetrate your skin.
- Chemical sunscreen features ingredients that absorb the UV rays before they damage your skin.
Both physical and chemical sunscreens have been proven to be effective, so the choice between the two does come down to personal preference.
Sun Protection Factor
However, one aspect of your sunscreen that is not up for debate is its sun protection factor. The sun protection factor, more commonly recognized as its acronym SPF, indicates how good of a job your sunscreen will do at protecting your skin from radiation. Most dermatologists recommend using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
Another sunscreen deal breaker is whether its label reads, ‘broad-spectrum.’ There are different types of ultraviolet rays, and you must be actively defending your skin against UVA and UVB rays.
UVA rays affect cells deeper because they have higher wavelengths and are more penetrating. UVB rays have lower wavelengths but higher energy levels and most commonly damage the outermost layers of skin. Broad-spectrum sunscreens are made to protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
The skin on your lips is very thin and highly sensitive. They are usually low in melanin and, in turn, have very minimal built-in protection from the sun. Since most sunscreens are not made for lips, you may want to consider acquiring a lip balm with an SPF of at least 15 to apply throughout each summer day.
Finally, don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen as needed. If you’re working out at the gym, swimming at the beach, or in the pool, you may need more sunscreen than simply the layer you put on in the morning.
Conclusion
It is not difficult to take care of your skin during the summer, but it is essential. Your skin is most susceptible to sun damage during this season and may need a little extra attention.
The good news is that most essential skincare tips, including those listed above, are convenient and effective. Every man can simultaneously live to the fullest and look his best if he is willing to put in the effort.
Sources:
Sweat from the gland to skin surface: production, transport, and skin absorption | PubMed
The importance of vitamin A in nutrition | PubMed
Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Their Health Benefits | PubMed
Sunscreen Application, Safety, and Sun Protection: The Evidence | PubMed
