11 Summer Beauty Tips That Will Save Your Skin

Take good care of the largest organ of your body!

1. Take and apply vitamin E and vitamin C for extra sun protection.

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Studies have shown that the combination of vitamins E and C used both orally and topically can be an effective form of photoprotection of the skin. According to Dr. Stafford R. Broumand, vitamin E oil works to block free radicals, which can help reduce wrinkles.

2. Pour some tea for your burns.

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Who knew tea was good for burns, right? The next time you get a sunburn, brew some black tea, let it cool (v important!), and apply to your skin with a washcloth or cotton pads. The tannic acid in black tea apparently extracts heat from sunburned skin while helping to balance pH.

3. SUNSCREEN!

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Yes, everyone says this, but really, there’s no overstressing the ‘screen. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30. You should also reapply at least every two hours, if not more. This will protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays and the wrinkles and damage they cause.

4. Get a lip balm with SPF.

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People forget about their lips all the time when it comes to sun protection, but lips are made of skin too! Make sure your lip balm contains SPF to protect your kisser.

5. Get cool with aloe.

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The sap of aloe vera leaves has been shown to help heal sunburns and other types of mild burns. It also reduces peeling, so you can avoid that lizard look post-burn. Apply sap straight from a fresh plant, or you can pick up an aloe vera gel from the pharmacy. Cool tip: Pop it in the fridge for a few minutes before using for extra cooling.

6. Avoid the midday sun.

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According to the Mayo Clinic, the hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. are when the sun’s rays are at peak strength. Try to avoid lounging out and getting too much sun exposure during this time. When the sun’s flexing, you shouldn’t be!

7. Cover up if you do venture out.

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During the part of day when the sun is strongest, wear hats to protect your face and cover your arms and legs with lightweight cotton clothing. There's even outdoor gear specifically designed for sun protection! Check out the UPF, or ultraviolet protection factor, on the labels.

8. Fake your tan.

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So obviously the sun is bad for your skin, but a tan can look oh so summery. Instead of lying out, you can use bronzer, sunless tanner, or a spray tan to get that healthy, bronzy glow without the skin-damaging rays.

9. Keep moisturizing!

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Yes, summer is sweaty and greasy and gross, but you should continue with your moisturizing regimen, says Dr. Ray Jalian, dermatologist. This is especially true if you are exposed to any air conditioning, as artificially dehumidified skin is especially drying, which makes wrinkles and fine lines more visible.

10. Dump the beads for a chemical exfoliator.

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Instead of physically exfoliating with buffer pads and cleansers with beads, dermatologist Neal Schultz, M.D., recommends using a product with 5–8% glycolic acid, which will remove layers of dead skin. This will help remove accumulated pigment and create a nice, bright glow.

11. Drink tons of filtered water.

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In summer, drinking water is extra important. According to dermatologist Jessica Weiser, dehydration means weakening your skin’s protective barrier function and healing capabilities, resulting in premature signs of aging. The Institute of Medicine currently recommends 11–15 cups a day, but it really depends on your body.

To save your skin and your wallet, get hydrated with Brita this summer.