Summer Skincare Tips

7 Inspired Michigan Summer Skincare Tips To Keep Looking Great

When the temperature starts to heat up here in the Upper Great Lakes Region, it’s time to turn our attention to summer skincare tips. Many of us have been away from the sun during the winter, so we might well be out of practice. With folks returning to the beach, boating, sailing, and being outdoors, it’s worth talking about UV skin protection. What can be done for sunburn? How do you protect little kids from too much sun safely? What about those of us who play sports in the hot summer sun? Find inspired summer skincare tips for all of that and more right here!

Getting UV Skin Protection Just Right

If you’re off to visit one of Michigan’s top 50 beaches this summer, you’ll want to know how to keep your skin safe in the sun. After all, the sun’s rays are even more dazzling (and damaging) when they’re reflecting off the water. So your number one priority should be a sunscreen that has a high SPF. Look for a lotion that guards against UVA and UVB rays. A high-factor sunscreen will help stop those rays from causing harm.

Too much sun can also make skin age prematurely, increase fine lines and wrinkles, and change the texture of your skin. These are cosmetic concerns that we want to avoid. But the most important factor, of course, is the serious damage to health that can occur with overexposure to harmful rays. Ensure you use the highest SPF available on any moles, and cover them with clothing or headgear for ultimate protection.

A woman holding a bottle of sunscreen and applying it on her arm.
Photo by Mikhail Nilov

How To Help Sunburn

Despite our best efforts with sun protection, sometimes we can get burnt. This can be painful and uncomfortable, but there are plenty of ways you can soothe your skin and help it repair itself. A good aftersun lotion is a great option, as these creams have been specifically formulated to hydrate and take care of the skin following sun exposure. It’s a good idea to use aftersun anyway after being in the sun, regardless of whether you’re burnt or not.

Dermatologists have top tips for soothing sunburnt skin. First of all, you should get out of the sun as soon as possible, and take action as soon as you realize what’s happened. To relieve the discomfort take a cool shower or bath frequently, patting yourself dry gently and applying moisturizer while your skin is still damp – which will aid hydration. Aloe vera is a fantastic ingredient for sunburn. Drinking plenty of water is also important, as fluids will be drawn from the body to sunburnt skin, and you risk dehydration. While your skin heals, cover-up in tightly-woven clothing for further protection.

Protecting Kids (And Adults!) From Too Much Sun

Prevention is better than cure, of course, and there are many ways you can protect your kids (and yourself) from the painful effects of too much sun exposure. Naturally, you’ll want to use plenty of sunscreen with UV protection. And remember to reapply it every couple of hours. If you can, try to stay out of the sun at the hottest part of the day when the rays are at their most ferocious, which is typically between 12 midday and 2 pm.

It’s also a good idea to wear clothing with built-in UV protection. You can find swimwear that has this feature, which is perfect to wear at the beach. As for accessories, a sun hat is a must. Choose one with a broad brim all the way around, or a peek at the front and a flap that covers the back of the neck – a prime place for sunburn to strike.

In addition to sunscreen on the skin, you’ll benefit from using a lip balm or chapstick that has SPF protection. This will help keep the delicate lip area safe from the sun, while also providing plenty of moisture and hydration to help prevent cracking. 

Skincare Protection While Playing Sports

If you’re just taking it easy on the beach, you can use regular sunscreen. But what if you’re getting active? Sweating might make your regular sunscreen run off your body, and if you’re taking part in watersports it could get washed off entirely. This is where you’ll want to invest in specialist sunscreen products that are designed for an active lifestyle.

Look for products that are waterproof and will stay put no matter how energetic you’re being. Reapplication is always important with sunscreen, but it’s even more so when you’re working out, exercising, or taking part in sports.

Keeping Fresh Under The Arms

With all this focus on sun protection in hot weather, it’s easy to forget the other sensitive areas of your skin that need help too. But it’s twice as important to take care of your underarms during the summer – because when the temperature soars, so do sweat levels. 

To stay fresh while being kind to your skin, choose your deodorant wisely. Of course, you’ll be looking for one that will help you smell good, but you’ll also benefit from one that will moisturize your skin, strengthen your skin’s barrier, and keep it silky smooth. A glycerin deodorant helps to hydrate skin with long-lasting moisturization.

Hydrating Your Skin

A glycerin deodorant works hard to hydrate your underarm skin, and there’s another way to hydrate all areas of your skin that’s super easy (and super important in hot weather) – by drinking plenty of water! Keeping fluid levels up when the sun’s out during a sweaty summer is essential for all organs of your body to function properly, and your skin is the largest organ of all.

Sipping water throughout the day will stop dehydration in its tracks and also nourish your skin from within, supporting the health of your nails and hair, too.

Summer Skincare Tips Regime To Follow All Year Round

No matter whether it’s summer or winter, hot or cold, looking after your skin with a consistent routine is an important part of your day. Having a morning regime and an evening regime is the perfect way to keep on top of your skincare.

This doesn’t need to be a time-consuming process with lots of products, but by all means, take your time and savor this self-care moment! If you’re looking for an easy and quick regimen, then you can simply cleanse and then moisturize when you wake up and when you go to bed. You can enhance the impact by adding a toner in the mix. You can also treat your skin with a couple of light exfoliation sessions a couple of times a week, to help remove dry, dead skin cells. 

Don’t forget to take care of the skin on your body as well as your face. You can use your shower or bath time to take care of your arms, legs, chest, back, and so on. Don’t rub yourself dry roughly with a towel, as friction can damage your skin. Instead, gently pat yourself dry and as we mentioned before, apply body lotion to slightly damp skin. This will help lock in moisture. 

With these top summer skincare tips in Michigan, you can enjoy the hot season while taking care of your skin. And when the weather turns cold, you can always check out our winter skincare tips and enjoy good skin 365 days a year! 


Adrian Johansen

Adrian Johansen lives and thrives in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys learning new things and sharing her business and tech knowledge, primarily regarding sustainability and wellness, through her writing. You can find more of her work on Twitter @AdrianJohanse18.

View all posts by Adrian Johansen →

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