One thing is always for certain during Florida’s summer, and that's the heat! As Floridians, maintaining great skin health can be one of the hardest things to do when trying to juggle the hustle and bustle of the excitement of summer. Even while you're enjoying your summer by toting the kids around to parties and summer camps, making lunch plans with friends, and planning fun-filled barbecue family get-togethers, it's always important to keep skin care in mind. And let's face it, that can be difficult...unless you create a daily routine. Keep essentials next to your sink to help remind you of your routine to make sure you have healthy, glowing skin all summer long.

Ways to Care for Your Skin in Florida's Summer Heat

1. The absolute most important skin care technique a Floridian can keep in mind is to wear sunblock at all times. You can almost never escape the sun's rays in Florida, so start the day with a great sunblock with an SPF of 30 or higher and be sure that it has UVA and UVB protection.
2. Keeping hydrated is imperative to endure Florida's heat. Start the day by drinking a full glass of water and always keep a refillable bottle with you. This will help remind you to drink water throughout the day to avoid risks like heat stroke and dry skin. Plus, using a reusable bottle will help cut down on plastic waste. Flavor things up by adding your favorite fruits to the water to create a tasty drink that's both hydrating and refreshing. Use fruits like lemon, lime, oranges, and even cucumber (which technically isn't a fruit), which are great for hydration and help keep the fresh flavor in your water).
3. If you wear makeup, try to keep it as lightweight as possible. Avoid clogging pores with foundations and blushes and remember that heat makes you sweat. You wouldn't want to risk making your makeup soggy by letting it all melt off with your sweat. When it comes to wearing makeup in the Florida summer heat, less is more. Keep only the essentials next to your sink for getting yourself ready in the mornings.
4. Try to combat the heat by staying cool. Do this by wearing light clothing such as dresses, skirts, shorts, tank tops, and sandals. Also, although lighter colors hold less heat, darker hues combat harmful sun rays (or opt for clothing that indicates it has UV protection).
5. Always keep your skin clean. Start the day with a light cleanser. Getting used to this in your daily routine will remind you when the day is over to cleanse your skin again before you go to bed. It's important to remember to wash the day's fun off your skin. Keeping harmful things such as salty ocean water, chlorine, salt, and makeup on your skin makes it easy for your skin to be irritated, dry, and cracked. Don't forget to wash these things off frequently to keep your skin glowing.
6. Be sure to keep sunblock nearby for all occasions during the hot and sunny months of the year. Buy easy-to-store small containers that fit in your purse or pocket. Most sunscreens are only effective for 80 minutes (one hour and 20 minutes), so be sure to reapply every hour or so while outside to keep that protective border from diminishing. If you are active or playing in the water, you can reapply sooner to reduce your risk of sunburn.
7. If you do end up finding yourself with a sunburn, use a tried-and-true recipe for healing the burn: In a glass (use glass to preserve the integrity of ingredients) bottle, mix one cup of Aloe Vera juice, one teaspoon of pure vitamin E oil, twelve drops of lavender essential oil, six drops tea tree essential oil, and six drops of chamomile essential oil. Swirl ingredients together to combine, and spray on affected areas of the skin.
8. Exfoliating your skin is also important to minimize ingrown hairs after shaving or waxing, as it also helps your skin better absorb moisturizers. Keep a light exfoliator by your sink for your face and one in your shower for the rest of your body.
9. The last great tip to care for your skin in Florida's summer heat is to come in to get a facial. Facials help to rejuvenate and revitalize skin and correct any imperfections the inevitable heat may cause.

It's important to always keep in mind the health of your skin. It's what protects our bodies by being a border between our vital organs and the potential toxins in the outside world. Living in a state that feels like it's next to the sun for most of the year, it is imperative to keep up with skincare. By creating these few daily habits, it will be easy to care for your skin all summer long.