Summer (skincare) lovin'

That’s not always the case, however, when it comes to your skin. If you’re like me, you’ll be wanting to shed the layers, get those pins out and slip into some sandals, pronto! But of course, you must be safe in the sun too and your skin is going to need some good TLC over the weeks ahead to ensure it’s happy and healthy; especially if you have a particular skin condition.

Often the symptoms of dry skin complaints such as eczema and psoriasis can worsen during summer. Your skin can become sorer as the temperature soars, which is why it’s really important to take good care of your skin, leaving you with nothing else to worry about other than where your next BBQ is coming from.

So, what is it about summer that can spell trouble for your skin?

Well, in a word, the sun (of course). Whilst we all look forward to brighter days, exposure to the sun is something we all need to protect ourselves from – particularly over prolonged periods of time. Myths that the sun isn’t so strong in our country or that if it’s cloudy, you’re safe from the suns rays, just don’t hold true. Everyone needs to wear sunscreen, every day that they are outside, to ensure their skin is protected.

The extra heat is also very drying for your skin. No matter how much water I try to drink, it never seems to be enough and I find my skin really can suffer when the weather is warm as a result. Staying hydrated is so important.

So is keeping cool. Seeking shade and finding ways to keep your own body temperature down are key ways to make sure you can enjoy summer for longer, and not have your skin pay at the end of the day.

And in the case of children, these points are even more critical. Just look at their perfect, creamy, unblemished skin – (don’t you just envy them?!) – it needs extra special care, especially at this time of year.

As someone who has lived with psoriasis for over eight years, and who has two children who are sensitive skin types, I am always thinking about the best way to care for our skin. Whilst some sun exposure may help certain instances of psoriasis, the potential damage of the suns rays is far more concerning, so I try to limit my time in the sun still as I am very fair and have many moles too. I also find that my eldest son becomes itchier as the weather heats up and my six-month-old has developed dry patches of baby eczema, particularly on his chest and on the folds of his arms, which definitely get angered by the warmer days we’ve been having.

With this in mind, I’ve put together some top tips on how to keep your cool this summer when it comes to your skin:

• Pick products specifically suited to your skin type, whether you’re fair, sensitive or have a dry skin condition to look after
• Don’t forget to wear sun protection – apply cream thoroughly and regularly whenever you will be exposed to the sun, wear a hat to protect your head and keep some of the heat off, and don’t forget the sunglasses either
• Layer up! No, not your clothes… your skincare products. Apply lighter products first, and the sun block last, as this forms a protective layer on your skin. You want your targeted products for your skin, like Epaderm cream, to penetrate and start working first, before your sun cream is applied to reduce the effects of the sun.
• Keep your cool – lotions and creams are great when stored in the fridge, as they keep their consistency and feel oh so soothing when you apply them, especially after a day spent in the sunshine. Consider cooling sprays to help refresh you and your little ones during the day; you could even make your own, from some cool cucumber water in a pump spray bottle. Also keep those showers and baths to a cooler temperature, and reduce your time in them, so your skin doesn’t dry out further.
• Treat your skin to a good soak of skincare goodness at night time. This is the time your skin will repair itself, so Epaderm’s Ointment is great to use now.

You can rest assured that you’ll enjoy summer (skin) lovin’ if you give Epaderm’s range of specially designed skincare products a go. Recommended by dermatologists and packed with skin loving nutrients, Epaderm is designed to help babies, children and adults alike feel more comfortable in their skin, all year round – even if they have a dry skin condition.

Having used these for several months now myself and on my children, I can personally say that they are gentle and effective at the same time. The cream is particularly good for the summer months, as it is light and absorbs quickly, delivering hydration deep down in your skin to help it look and feel smoother, within just two weeks of usage. I put this on first, after a shower, and let it sink in, then will apply sun cream before heading out.

The summer may be unpredictable, but your skincare routine doesn’t have to be. Just pick the right products, designed for your family’s skin needs, stock up on the sun block and get set for a beautiful summer, head to toe, beginning to end.