Selene Daly - Dermatology Nurse - checked in to share with us her tips for caring for your skin during the Summer months.
SELENE'S TOP 10 TIPS
- Sunscreen is a must all year round - especially during the spring/summer months - to prevent lines wrinkles and lower your risk of skin cancer. Choose a sunscreen with factor 30 or 50 with equivalent UVA protection (look for the letters “UVA” in a circle on packaging). Elave, Avene, La Roche Posay and Bioderma all have great sunscreens in their ranges which you can find in your local CarePlus Pharmacy.
- Wear a hat to protect your face. Sunscreen can wear, sweat and rub off so physically protecting your skin form the sun’s harmful rays is a good way to avoid unnecessary sunburn. Make sure there is a wide brim on the hat, at least 6 inches, to ensure good protection.
- Stick to the shady areas from 11am to 3 pm to avoid the sun when it’s at its strongest. Take a tip from our Spanish neighbours who have their ‘siesta’ in the middle of the day.
- Use clothing to protect your skin during the summer months. Covering your skin ensures that it stays protected from harmful UV rays.
- Wear sunglasses. UV rays not only cause skin cancer but can also result in cataracts forming on the eye and retinol cancer. Wraparound sunglasses are best - look for the UV 400 symbol to ensure they are photostable.
- Fake it. Don’t look for a real tan this summer - fake it by using one of the many fake tans available on the market and in CarePlus Pharmacies. It is important to remember that fake tan is not a sunscreen and will not protect your skin (SPF 4).
- It’s hard to break out the sandals when your feet have been cooped up in shoes and socks all winter. Go to a chiropodist to have your nails professionally rimmed and use a cream containing urea or salicylic acid to exfoliate any dead skin cells.
- Don’t use physical exfoliators to brighten your skin up this summer. If you’re going for a fake tan, try to use a chemical exfoliator instead to ensure a smooth result. Avéne have a product called Akerat which contains urea and salicylic acid and removes rough skin, but does not contain parabens or preservatives which can irritate sensitive skin.
- To maintain your anti-ageing routine, try using the Elave Renew range, available at CarePlus Pharmacies. The range boasts a cleanser with 12% glycolic acid and a night treatment, as well as a facial sunscreen (SPF 45) to protect your skin from UV rays. Again, this product contains no harmful chemicals but is laboratory tested to ensure it is fully photostable.
- Finally, if you are using factor 30 - 50 and following the other sun smart tips, ask your pharmacist about a vitamin D supplement. Getting sunburned and over-exposing your skin to damaging UV rays does not lead to higher vitamin D intake. Ensure your diet is rich in eggs, cheese and oily fish. This can be complemented by taking a small daily dose of vitamin D in supplement form over the counter.
Selene Daly, Dermatology Nurse