by Michy Lynn

Created on: February 05, 2009

Skin Care and Sun Protection Year Round

It's not just the summer months that demand special attention be paid to skin and sun protection. In fact, winter months require special attention to sun protection, because when the clouds are in the sky, it's easy to forget that the sun can still damage the skin. Skin should be kept moisturized and protected year -round. With each season, skin care differs slightly.

Skin Care for the Summer

Ah, the sunny summer days of youth. Swimming, outdoor activities, mowing the lawn, playing sports, or enjoying a day at the beach-even if all you're doing is BBQing outside with family and friends-the summer sun can be harsh and cruel, particularly to your skin.

After using sunscreen with a high SPF protection (45SPF is a good choice), the most important thing you can do for your skin, and your body, is to drink plenty of water during the summer months. Dehydration of the skin begins long before dehydration of the body kicks in.

Next, be sure to bathe or shower using lukewarm waters, with a gentle skin exfoliater and pat your skin dry. Do not rub skin to dry it. While skin is still slightly moist, apply an even coating of herbal or natural lotion or skin moisturizer to the body, paying particular attention to the face, elbows, knees and ankles.

Skin Care for the Fall

The fall months bring crisper, cooler temperatures. The sun might not be shining as brightly or as warmly, but it's still sending its damaging rays to your skin. While a moderate amount of exposure to sunlight during the fall is important, to help with vitamin absorption and good health as well as helping with mood, SPF sun protection should be worn whenever outside for extended periods of time. SPF protection should be focused particular on the nose and cheeks or exposed shoulders during the fall.

Again, keep hydrated. It's easy to dehydrate in the fall and not realize it, because there is no intense heat like the summer months. Drinking plenty of water and other fluids helps skin year round. You might be tempted to increase the temperature of the shower or bath during the fall, but dry skin will be a likely side effect of doing so. Warm water is best for skin. Keep skin moist with a good lotion or moisturizer.

Skin Care for the Spring

The spring is the month when being outside is most likely to lead to sunburn. The temperatures are just comfortable enough to need bake the skin, but not quite warm enough to remind to put on sun protection. During the spring, a hydrating lower

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