Summer means more time outside, soaking up the rays and enjoying the warm weather. And while getting extra vitamin D is good for us, all that extra exposure to the sun, sand and turf may not be the best thing in the world for our skin. But caring for your skin doesn’t mean staying indoors until summer is over. There are things that you can do to protect your skin and still enjoy the warm months of the year.

If you wear tight clothing that doesn’t allow a lot of room for your skin to breath, then you are running the risk of getting a heat rash. Heat rashes are itchy and uncomfortable and can be easily avoided. Choose loose fitting clothes made of natural fibres to avoid  heat rash.

If you are planning on spending a lot of time out in the sun, make sure to cover up for at least some of that time. A long-sleeved shirt, sunglasses and wide-brimmed hat can help you fend off damaging UV rays.

You may think that you don’t need to moisturize during the summer, but you’re wrong. Your skin can dry out during the summer months, especially if you sweat a lot. Use a lighter lotion than you do in the winter months, and one that is preferably water based.

If at all possible, stay indoors during the hottest part of the day, usually between 10 am and 4 pm. Avoiding the hottest and sunniest part of the day means lessening your chances of getting a sunburn and damaging your skin. Even if you could stay indoors for a part of this time your skin will thank you.

Get into the habit of putting sunscreen on everyday. For the best coverage, make sure it has an SPF of at least 15. Making it part of your morning routine will ensure that your skin will be protected from the damaging UV rays during your commute to work and any time you spend outside.

If you plan on spending time outdoors, make sure to put your sunscreen on 15 minutes before you head out. And reapply often. Don’t just slap it on and then think that’s good enough. You should reapply your sunscreen ever hour or two, after swimming and after exercising. Reapplying your sunscreen regularly will help prevent you from getting burnt. This also includes overcast or cloudy days. You don’t need a bright, sunny day to get a sunburn and damage your skin.

Make sure that you use a lip balm with an SPF of at least 15. Lips can get burned, too. And as with your sunscreen, reapply often.

Your skin can get quite battered during the summer. Wind, sand, salt and sweat can create more dead skin than in the winter. Exfoliate a few times a week with a gentle exfoliate (sugar mixed in some almond or grape seed oil is perfect) to get rid of dead skin cells and make your skin glow.

If you wear make-up, keep it light during the summer months. Instead of a heavy foundation that may not allow your skin to breath, use a tinted moisturizer or tinted sunscreen. Keep away from creamy eye shadows and lipsticks that can end up feeling and looking waxy in the warm weather.

Summer means warmer weather, longer days and more time spent outside. While you enjoy your time outdoors, make sure that your skin doesn’t end up paying the price. Be sun smart and skin savvy and you can enjoy the summer without ruining your skin.

1. Exfoliate Your Body

It’s so very important to exfoliate your skin. Your body sheds skin cells at an amazing rate every minute of every day. If you don’t get rid of them, they’ll just sitting on your skin making you look dull and dry. No matter how much lotion you use, you’re never going to have glowing skin if you don’t exfoliate. Grab a body scrub and hit the shower. Gently rub your exfoliator in circular movements on your entire body from the shoulders down (you’ll want a facial exfoliator for your face and neck) and rinse clean. Continue to do this 2-3 times a week for year-round beautiful skin.

2. Hydrate your Body with a Summer-Scented Lotion

Find a summery lotion that you won’t forget to put on. It’s time to pack away your thick winter body butters for more light summery lotions. You don’t have time to wait for your lotion to sink in, so look for something light fast absorbing. Gels and Purees are perfect fast absorbers.  Nothing spells summer more than a light refreshing fruity lotion. Make sure you apply right after you dry off from your shower. You need to seal in the moisture your body just soaked in.

3. Don’t Forget your Feet

Winter boots have long since been packed away; it’s sandal season ladies. Either go and get a pedicure (try a beauty school if cost is a factor), or give yourself an at-home pedicure. You scrub off the dead dry skin to reveal your sandal ready feet. Nothing is worse than seeing dull dry feet inside cute sandals. It doesn’t have to be a big ordeal. Keep a foot scrub and file in your shower and scrub your feet a few times a week. You’ll notice a big difference in the softness of your feet.

4. Get a Safe Summer Glow

You have so many choices when it comes to adding a little summer tint to your skin, and the tanning bed shouldn’t be one of them. Using a sunless tanner will give your skin a beautiful start to summer. Even if you’re not a fan of sunless tanners all over your body, you can happily use them on your face. If you alternate your facial moisturizer with one that builds a bit of color, you’ll have a healthy glow that will make it look as though you just spent the weekend on the beach. Most facial tanners build color gradually, by alternating with your regular moisturizer, you’ll never get too dark.

5. Out With the Old - Buy a New Sunscreen

Throw away last year’s unused sunscreen for a new bottle. Sunscreens aren’t meant to last forever, and seeing most people don’t use as much as they should, I bet you have a bottle or two stored away. Be safe and pick up a new one. And don’t forget the most important sunscreen advice: USE IT. You should be using a shot glass full for your body, and a full teaspoon just on your face. Reapply every 1-2 hours that you are in the sun to ensure a summer full of safe sun fun.

Protect your skin from the damaging and harmful effects of the sun with the natural goodness of Eminence mineral sunscreen. The benefits of using minerals on your skin are numerous and with Eminence you get the revolutionary addition of vitamin rich Organic fruits and herbs to keep your skin healthy, beautiful and to fight the signs of aging.

The ingredients in Eminence sunscreen are simple. They are all derived from the Earth without any added chemicals, perfumes, or dyes and the natural ingredients actually help your skin heal and become healthier with use.

Suitable for both men and women, minerals perform well during swimming and exercise. The easy to use brush allows you to control the application of loose minerals from sheer to more opaque. The natural minerals, including zinc oxide, give your skin a weightless physical layer of non-chemical SPF 30 sun protection and imparts soothing anti-inflammatory properties. Organic fruits and herbs give natural sources of color and the added vitamins and nutrition fight the signs of aging.

Do something good for your skin, whether you apply minerals before a night on the town or a day at the beach, you can count on the natural effectiveness and organic pureness of Eminence to protect and beautify your skin.

Benefits of Organic Sun Defense Minerals:

- Effective SPF 30 protection against sun damage, pigmentation and premature aging

- Made with real fruit extracts for extra skin nutrition (an Industry first!)

- Water resistant; great for exercise or swimming

- Hypo-allergenic, will not clog pores, oil-free

- Anti-inflammatory, excellent for post-treatment,acne or rosacea

- Loaded with bioflavonoids and vitamins A, C & E

- Easy to use, apply and carry anywhere

Eminence Sun Defense Minerals are available in wonderful shades to complement any skin tone:

No 1. Honey Apple SPF 30
May be used for light to medium skin with neutral to warm undertones.

No 2. Cherries & Berries SPF 30
May be used for medium skin with neutral to warm undertones.

No 3. Peaches & Cream SPF 30
May be used for light to medium skin with neutral to cool undertones.

No 4. Calendula Spice SPF 30
May be used for medium to dark skin with warm undertones or to bronze lighter skin to give the illusion of a sun-kissed look.

No 5. Cinnamon Bronzer SPF 30
May be used on dark skin with dark to reddish undertones and to bronze darker skin to give the illusion of a sun-kissed look.

For best results, set powder with Stone Crop Hydrating Mist or Avene Eau Thermale Water.

Exfoliation is the process of scrubbing off dead skin cells to reveal and expose “younger,” fresher skin. The shedding process unclogs pores, keeps skin clean and helps reduce acne breakouts. It’s usually the first step in cleaning your face, to be followed by washing your face with soap (preferably one with hypoallergenic properties) and finally, moisturizing.

Unfortunately, many men wash exclusively with plain old, hotel-grade soap. It’s certainly enough to keep you clean, but it’s not the best bet to keep your skin healthy. Indeed, bar soap dries out your skin, its ingredients sometimes clogging pores and leading to rougher skin in the long run.

Exfoliation also specifically helps men in a huge way: It exposes the face’s hair follicles, allowing for a better shave. And we all know that a smoother shave is practically the holy grail of a man’s morning routine.

exfoliate part by part

Men have hair all over, and hair traps oil, dirt and grime. For men, there are three major areas in need of regular exfoliation: face, back and chest (exfoliating your feet and hands is great, but not essential).\

healthy skin is easy

You know your body best, so only you can decide whether to exfoliate daily, every other day (three times per week is a good routine), or maybe just give yourself a nice scrubbing once a week. Exfoliating too often can damage the skin; exfoliating too little may let your skin’s oils run wild. Whichever schedule you settle on, recognize that while exfoliating takes some extra effort, by doing it, you’ll ultimately have to worry less about wrinkles, flaky skin and acne. And that’s a tradeoff every man should take.

Achieving that bronze-kissed look without ever stepping foot on the beach has never been easier.

Do you dream of a lovely summer tan that makes your skin glow with the air of health and beauty?
 
We have the perfect shade for you, Moroccan Mineral Dark Tan.  This is a great way to prep for a special event or night on the town.   It is dark, deep and undeniable realistic – and you don’t have to travel to Morocco to get this sexy chocolate tan. Easy-to-apply and quick-to-dry, this self-tanning lotion glides onto skin effortlessly, revealing an instant caramel-kissed glow. A rich, brown sunless tan develops in just 6 hours and lasts for days longer than the leading self-tanning lotions.

An Ultra-luxurious sunless tanning formula with Moroccan Argan Oil, Rooibos & Green Tea. Imparts a sunbathed, toasted almond tan with golden undertones. Elegant on all skin types. Paraben, Glycol and Phthalate FREE.

Bronzer/Color Guide: Golden Milk Chocolate

Fragrance/Odor Controller: Green Tea Essence

End Color: Creates the appearance of sun-bronzed skin with stunning golden highlights. Skin will radiate with a toasted almond glow that looks naturally sun bathed. Always brown, bronzed, believable and beautiful - even on the pastiest skin.

Darkness: Natural to Medium-Dark

Wait Time Before Showering: Must wait 4-6 hours before showering.

Application: 2-3 Fluid ounces total, 2 light coats over the entire body.

Drying Time: 5-7 minutes depending on climate

Longevity: Color lasts about 7-10 days when used correctly

Schmoove (Guang Hua)  herbal cream treats many types of skin conditions. Clinically it has been successful in treating many types of dermatitis which include acne, eczema, rosacea, sunburns, scrapes, bug bites, and more.

It was first formulated to treat burns for Radiation clients (Oncology) but over many years of usages its indications have been expanded. During the development stage of this product many clients commented on how smooth it made their skin feel.

Schmoove (Guang Hua) is an herbal cream that alleviates and eliminates all types of skin conditions. The proliferation of chemicals in all aspects of our lives introduces skin problems to more and more people every year. Dermatitis, eczema, burns, abrasions, insect bites, Uticaria, rashes, and psoriasis to name a few.

Schmoove works by promoting proper skin function and providing skin with the nutrition it needs. This quickly and effectively clears up skin problems and alleviates the burning or itching that goes along with these conditions regardless of the cause.

Clinically it has been successful in treating dermatitis, acne, eczema, athlete’s foot, rosacea, sunburns, scrapes, bug bites, and more. It was first formulated to treat burns for oncology patients who were undergoing radiation and chemotherapy but like many of our formulas, we found it to be useful many other ways.

Beyond correcting the aforementioned skin conditions, people starting noticing their skin feeling and looking better than before. In fact the name for this formula came from a patient’s description of the way it made their skin feel…Schmoove!

Retinol

Vitamin A and its derivatives are powerful and proven antiaging antioxidants. Retinol is a topical ingredient proven to promote collagen production and plump out skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It also improves skin tone and color, and reduces mottled patches (hyperpigmentation) on the skin.

Many dermatologists prescribe retinol’s stronger counterpart, tretinoin, or similar products to slow skin aging, improve irregular pigmentation, and clear up acne. Over-the-counter products containing retinols may be weaker, but are still effective in improving skin appearance.

Although retinol hydrates the lower layers of the skin (the dermis and hypodermis), it sometimes causes the top layer (the epidermis) to become dry and flaky. Be sure to wear moisturizer when using it or speak to your dermatologist about alternatives.

Vitamin C

As you age, your body slows down its production of collagen and elastin, which keeps skin strong, flexible, and resilient. Evidence suggests that the antioxidants found in vitamin C may stimulate the production of collagen and minimize fine lines, wrinkles, and scars.

Vitamin C is being added to skin-care products such as creams and lotions. This is one ingredient that may work best when eaten, so stock up on oranges and broccoli. If you want to use a topical vitamin C lotion, ask your dermatologist which one would be right for you.

CoEnzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10)

Your body naturally produces CoQ-10 to neutralize free radicals in cells, but as you age, the levels of CoQ-10 go down. That may make skin cells more susceptible to damage by free radicals. That’s the rationale behind the use of the antioxidant in skin-care products such as toners, gels, and creams, to be used alone or with a moisturizer. One study shows that CoQ-10 helps reduce wrinkles around the eyes (crow’s feet).

CoQ10 is bright orange, so products containing it will be orange or yellow.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is incorporated into skin-care products to reduce the effects of aging. Your body produces hyaluronic acid naturally, keeping tissues cushioned and lubricated. It’s found in skin, joint fluid, and connective tissues. Age, smoking, and an unhealthy diet lead to drops in production over time.

Products containing hyaluronic acid may help smooth out skin. It’s especially effective when combined with vitamin C products.

Green Tea Extract

Like antioxidants, the polyphenols found in tea also have been shown to fight free radicals. Drinking green tea may help ward off cancer, infection, and cardiovascular disease.

Early studies have found the ingredients in tea can reduce sun damage and may protect skin from skin cancer when applied topically. Using green tea extract under sunscreen may yield a double dose of protection. An anti-inflammatory, polyphenols in creams and lotions may also slow signs of aging and reduce sagging skin and wrinkles

In order to improve your complexion, eliminate the following food out of your diet:

• foods like broiled lobsters and deviled crabs,
• foods like tartar sauce,
• foods like pies,
• drinks that contain caffeine such as coffee, tea and hot chocolate,
• alcohol drinks,
• foods that contain lots of salt,
• processed meats and other junk food.

The above mentioned foods are not healthy for your skin and will make your skin complexion look bad. Most of these foods are also not good for your overall health and should be avoided as much as possible.

Eating processed meat and junk food for instance dries out the skin. Further on, dry skin causes premature aging skin and (as mentioned) bad skin complexion.

By controling what you eat, you also control how good looking your skin complexion is. Avoid eating the foods named above and see how your bad skin transform itself into glowing and clear skin complexion that will make you feel beautiful and confident!

It’s sunscreen!    Sunscreen is your number one anti aging skin product you can use, you can be sure of that. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 15 (use a sunscreen with a higher rating if you plan to be in the sun for a longer period of time). Also, be sure that you use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects your skin from damage from UVA and UVB rays. Finally, be sure that your sunscreen is water resistant even if you are not planning on swimming –- your sweat alone undo the protection of non-water resistance sunscreens. All the ointments, moisturizers and creams in the world can’t compare to the anti aging effectiveness of ordinary sunscreen.

Beauty Gone Green Offers great sunscreens like SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50. Its great for everyday anti aging protection. A groundbreaking first-to-market mattifying fluid with transparent finish, this paraben-free, all-physical filter sunscreen provides increased protection in an ultra-sheer texture for all skin types, even very sensitive. Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50® offers the photoprotection of trusted broad-spectrum, physical filters, zinc oxide (Z-COTE®) and titanium dioxide, and is enhanced by artemia salina, a plankton extract, to increase the skin’s defenses and resistance to UV and heat stress.

The unique ‘shake then apply’ action assures even distribution of active ingredients in this silky sheer fluid that dries quickly and leaves no residue