The outdoors creates a sense of adventure that refreshes your body, mind, and soul. Immersing yourself in nature also brings calmness and allows you to take a breather.
It helps keep you happy and healthy if you protect yourself properly. It’s important to ensure you look after every part of your body.
No matter how you like to enjoy nature, it is vital to look after your skin health. You could be a pro hiker, keen cyclist, enjoying a countryside vacation in a holiday park in Wales, or simply love to be outside in the sunshine.
Whatever you prefer, being outdoors can cause damage to your skin. If you don’t take measures to protect your skin, you can neglect a huge part of your overall health, leading to premature aging and sunburns.
Explore the best ways to protect your skin when exploring the outdoors to ensure that every part of your body, inside and outside, reaps the rewards of nature.
Use sun protection
Sun protection is the most important element of skincare to prevent skin damage when outdoors. UV radiation from the sun is strong, even when it’s a cloudy day.
This can cause skin damage and, when exposed to the sun for a long time, it can also cause sunburn, wrinkles, and pigmentation.
Use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Make sure that this offers both UVA and UVB protection and apply generously to all exposed skin areas.
Reapply your sunscreen every two hours or more if you are swimming or sweating. Try to wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, sunhats, and UV blocking sunglasses, to further protect yourself.
Include antioxidants in your skincare
Antioxidants are essential to include in your skincare. They help to attack free radicals that are produced from sun exposure and pollution.
Try to use serums and moisturizers that include vitamins C and E, or green tea extract, to boost your skin’s defense.
You should also include antioxidant-rich foods in your diet, such as berries, greens, and seeds. These help to support your internal health.
Be ready for varying weather conditions
If you enjoy the outdoors regularly, you will know that the weather conditions can vary often. Different outdoor environments have changing weather, which can significantly impact your skin.
It is essential to be prepared for the weather by adapting your skincare routine. If you’re traveling, try to research the weather conditions for the destination you are going to and prepare for that.
In cold weather, you need to apply a thicker, oil-based moisturizer. This will help to prevent dryness that is caused by cold winds and low temperatures.
For hot and humid weather, choose a lightweight, thin moisturizer that will keep your pores clear. It’s also best to use blotting papers to reduce shine from sweat.
Protect yourself from pollution
Pollution can settle on your skin when you spend time outdoors. This can lead to inflammation, clogged pores, and premature aging.
To protect yourself from pollution, you need to cleanse your face thoroughly. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser after you’ve been outside to remove any dirt and pollutants.
Then create a protective layer by using a primer or moisturizer with anti-pollution properties.
Protect sensitive areas
A vital part of protecting your skin from outdoor elements is to focus on sensitive areas. Your lips and ears are one of these areas that can be overlooked when applying sunscreen.
Try to use a lip balm with SPF and cover your ears with sunscreen, including the tops and behind. Reapply frequently, especially to your lips after eating or drinking.
The skin around your eyes is also a delicate and sensitive place that is easy to forget. This skin is prone to sun damage, so it’s best to wear sunglasses with UV protection and apply sunscreen carefully around your eyes.
Don’t forget your hands and feet too! These areas of your body are the most exposed to UV rays and can show signs of aging quickly.
Apply sunscreen to your hands and feet and reapply after washing or swimming. Moisturize regularly to keep your skin soft and supple.
Exfoliate
Having regular and gentle exfoliation can help your skin’s health as it removes dead skin cells that build up on the surface. This reveals fresh and glowing skin underneath, keeping you healthy and looking good.
Exfoliation also improves the effects of skincare products as it soaks deeper into your skin and reduces the appearance of sun damage.
Nourish your skin
Make sure to nourish your skin before and after heading outdoors by feeding it with nutrients. This can strengthen your skin’s defense against environmental damage.
Get skincare products that contain niacinamide, peptides, and ceramides. Niacinamide helps to soothe the skin and reduce redness and inflammation, which makes it perfect to use after sun exposure.
Peptides act as a block that supports your skin’s firmness and elasticity, while ceramides restore your skin’s barrier to prevent moisture loss.
Adjust your skincare routine for the outdoors
Keeping a regular skincare routine is vital to protect your skin from the outdoors. At many points during your day, you will head outside (even if it’s just for a few minutes).
Due to this, you need to constantly protect your skin every day and be prepared for the outside environment. You should have a morning and evening routine to help your skin be healthy.
In your morning routine, it’s important to cleanse with a gentle and hydrating cleanser. After this, apply a vitamin C serum to shield your skin from free radicals and use a hydrating moisturizer.
Finish the routine with sunscreen to protect yourself from UV damage.
For an evening routine, it’s best to start with a cleanse to remove makeup, dirt, and sunscreen residue. Treat your skin by using products with retinol or peptides to rejuvenate and repair.
Finish this routine off with a rich moisturizer to hydrate your skin overnight.
Use these best ways to protect your skin when exploring the outdoors to reap the overall health rewards nature gives you.
Look and feel your best while being fully protected from outside free radicals that can damage your skin. Using these ways allows you to prevent long-term damage and have healthy, glowing skin!