Essential items for maintaining healthy skin during the summer

 

During the hot summer with temperatures consistently above 30°C, it's especially important to pay attention to skincare. Intense sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) rays can irritate the skin, causing pigmentation issues like freckles and age spots, and accelerate skin aging. To maintain healthy skin in such an environment, there are certain essential products to prepare.

UV rays from the sun are classified into UVA, UVB, and UVC based on their wavelength. Among these, UVA and UVB affect human skin, each having different characteristics. UVA, with a wavelength of 320–400 nm, makes up the majority of UV rays reaching the Earth.

It penetrates deeply into the skin, reaching the dermis layer, causing wrinkles, pigmentation, loss of elasticity, and potentially leading to skin cancer. UVA rays are released consistently throughout the year, regardless of the season or weather, so daily protection is essential. UVB, with a wavelength of 280–320 nm, only penetrates the outer epidermis layer but can cause skin damage like sunburn, redness, and blisters if the intensity is high.

UVB rays increase during spring and summer, and are most intense between 10 AM and 2 PM. To protect the skin from these UV rays, it's important to choose the right sunscreen and apply it properly.

Sunscreens are classified into physical (mineral) and chemical (organic) sunscreens, and it's important to select a product that suits your skin type and preferences. Be sure to apply the right amount and let it absorb completely. Reapply every 2-3 hours for maximum protection.

Also, check the PA and SPF values on the sunscreen label. PA indicates the level of protection against UVA, and the more plus signs (+), the higher the protection. SPF indicates the length of time UVB protection lasts, and the higher the number, the longer the effectiveness. However, rather than always opting for the highest index, it's better to use the appropriate sunscreen based on your situation.

When using sunscreen, applying more than the recommended amount can result in a white cast on the skin. Generally, it's difficult to apply the recommended amount throughout the day, so to avoid this, it's best to apply half the recommended amount of sunscreen twice, 30 minutes before going outside. This will make the sunscreen more effective.

In the hot summer, many people use sheet masks frequently to take care of their skin. Sheet masks are great for soothing irritated skin after being outside and can help hydrate dry skin with consistent use. However, using high-functionality masks (such as those for brightening or improving elasticity) every day may cause skin inflammation like pimples or contact dermatitis.

If you have facial redness or sensitive skin, it's better to avoid masks with high concentrations of active ingredients. Store sheet masks in the refrigerator and let them warm to room temperature for 1-2 minutes before use to avoid the chilling sensation.

 It's best to store them lying flat, rather than standing, to ensure the essence is evenly distributed. Also, don’t leave the mask on for longer than 20 minutes, as prolonged use may cause the sheet to dry out, drawing moisture from your skin. Set an alarm to remove the mask within the recommended time.

During the summer, not only the skin but also hair is susceptible to damage from strong UV rays. Prolonged exposure to the sun can break down hair proteins and melanin, causing dryness, color changes, and even hair loss. To prevent this, it's a good idea to wear a hat or use an umbrella when outdoors, and to maintain regular home hair care.

Many people don’t know the difference between conditioner and treatment. Conditioner is used after shampooing to reduce static electricity and keep the hair soft, while treatments or hair masks provide moisture and nutrients to prevent damage or help repair already damaged hair. The correct hair washing order is to shampoo first, then apply the treatment, and finish with conditioner.

Furthermore, hair products should be applied only to the hair, not the scalp, and should be rinsed off within 10 minutes. Another factor to consider is air conditioning. Continuous exposure to cool air can cause the skin to dry out. However, air conditioners set to a moderate temperature can actually lower skin temperature, so as long as you're not directly exposed to the airflow, there's no need to worry too much.