The sun is shining and the warm summer weather is calling us outdoors for all sorts of activities. But with long sunny days come increased warnings over the dangerous effects from the sun. Kinara co-founder and skincare expert Olga Lorencin-Northrup gives her advise on summer skincare for her clients, and offers some easy to follow tips to care for skin during the summer months.

Check all your skin care products to ensure that they do not contain retinols or alpha-hydroxy acids. Products formulated with these ingredients are for nighttime use only.

Start the summer season perfectly clean with a professional body scrub and an exfoliating facial. Remove the dull winter skin and prepare it for a healthy glow.

To care for body skin at home, use an exfoliating gel for the body at least twice a week and always slather on body lotion after showers or bath. Choose Body lotions containing Vitamin C because of their ability to prevent sun damage and provide excellent antioxidant benefits to the skin.

Apply sunscreen daily (minimum SPF30) to your face and hands. If you are on the beach, apply to your entire body with special attention to the ears, feet and behind the knees.

FOR FACE
Use the following, depending on skin type.
Dry or mature skin: Moisturizing SPF 30
Oily skin: Matte Finish SPF 30
Acne-prone skin: Sun Gel SPF 30
Sensitive Skin: Organic SPF 30

FOR BODY
all skin types benefit from Moisturizing SPF 30.

Summer Skin Care Tips

  • If you are swimming, re-apply sunscreen every twenty minutes. The best types of sunblocks for watersports are those that contain zinc oxide (Skin Ceuticals 45).

  • Remember that there is no such thing as a "safe tan." Instead choose a good self-tanning lotion made from natural ingredients.

  • Under NO circumstances use tanning beds.

  • Do not expose the skin for more than 45 minutes per day. Once this period has been accrued, the melanocytes (epidermal cells which produce melanin) are saturated and do not produce any more melanin for that day.

  • Use sunscreen even while in the shade. The sun’s rays can pass through clouds,umbrellas, etc.

  • In the evening be sure to wash off all traces of sunscreen, as it can clog pores on the face and body skin. Make sure that nighttime skincare products do not contain any sunscreen.

  • Supplements that help prevent sun damage:
    Vitamin C—1000mg daily; Vitamin E—400mg daily; Beta Carotene—15mg to 50mg daily; Lipoic Acid—50mg AM & PM; Flax Seed or Hemp Oil—1000mg daily; Selenium—50mg to 200mg daily

  • Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables (rich in beta-carotene ­ carrots, spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli, sweet potatoes, winter squash, cantaloupe, apricots, watermelon, etc.) and drink lots of water during the summer months when skin is exposed to sun.
  • When on the beach, try to stay under the shade of an umbrella or tree from 11am to 4pm as the sun is strongest during this time.

  • Wear tinted UV sunglasses.

  • Remember that if you are vacationing at the beach, at high altitudes, or even spending lots of time by your pool, you will still tan even if you follow all these precautions. But you will most likely not cause nearly as much damage to your skin. You will help prevent the signs of aging and your skin will be beautiful, healthy and radiant!


(always check with your doctor or health care practitioner before taking any supplements.)

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