Spring break is right around the corner, and I find it to be a great time for family bonding. For me, I plan to take everyone on a trip to the Caribbean for some much-needed rest and relaxation. Just like the majority of us, it’s been a long time since my skin has had much sun, and it’s looking a little pale, dehydrated and feeling sensitive. For most of us, our skin is not prepared at all to handle a sudden burst of heat, ocean water and UV light.
If you’re in the same boat as me, don’t panic. I’ve done a some digging around and found the following tips to help prepare your skin for a vacation to a summer destination.
Diet
About a month before your departure, add extra vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and lycopene to your diet. I prefer to get my vitamins naturally from foods. Also, I add or increase my intake of carrots, sweet potatoes, avocados, Shiitake mushrooms, watercress, salmon, kale, cherries, broccoli, eggs, turmeric, green tea, raspberries and Brazil nuts. I try to avoid excess protein and take extra astaxanthin supplements.
Astaxanthin, if you don’t already know, is a powerful antioxidant found in seafood and shellfish. It’s actually the pigment responsible for turning salmon and crabs pink. When digested, it’s proven to help boost skin moisture and fight against skin wrinkles, spots and freckles. I definitely recommend it to everyone I meet, you can even get it from specially developed chocolate, what’s not to love! I’ve also eliminated processed flours, sugars and trans-fats from my diet until I return from vacation.
Read more about Astaxanthin here
Adjust your skincare routine:
– Start using a vitamin C product
Vitamin C is essential to the formation of collagen, the natural protein that keeps the skin looking young and hydrated. It also contains loads of antioxidants that help repair sun damage, reduce sunburn caused by exposure to ultraviolet B radiation and prevent the consequences of long-term sun exposure that leads to wrinkles, fine lines and uneven skin tone.
– Switch to a non-alcohol based facial toner
Alcohol-based toners dry your skin, creating more problems for your skin in the long run. Make the switch today and you’ll never want to go back.
– Start using a lighter moisturizer
In the winter months your skin takes a beating from the weather and needs the extra attention from a thicker moisturizer. However, the last thing you need on hot, sunny days is a thick moisturizer clogging up your pores and adding extra shine to your skin. Switch to a lighter, oil-free moisturizer that keeps your skin hydrated while letting it breathe.
– Stay away from vitamin A
Skin products that many of use may contain vitamin A, also known as retinoids. These can create a number of negative side-effects for our skin, such as sun sensitivity, peeling, and skin redness. Not what you want to use before a trip to sunnier climates.
Other measures:
Besides staying well-hydrated, the most obvious but perhaps most often neglected is stocking up on sunscreen. I cannot stress how important it is to wear sunscreen all year long. It’s probably the best way to ensure your skin is looking good for the summer months when you want to spend more time outdoors.
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