Do you have a facial skin care routine for the summer? With the hottest season of the year just around the corner, you need to focus more attention on skin care because sun exposure and pool-swimming can wreak havoc on your skin.

Ideally, you pamper your skin at a professional spa, but not everyone can afford to visit the spa as often and necessary. If you can, let an expert take care of your skin once weekly, then follow up with these simple steps to maintain the benefits of a spa-grade facial. Besides keeping your skin moist and supple, facials also lower your stress levels and make you look healthy and radiant. But it’s not enough to have a facial every week or every month if weekly is too much for your budget. You have to continue caring for your skin after you leave the spa and the best way to do so is to build a facial skin care routine for the summer.

Tips to keep your skin healthy and radiant under the scorching summer sun

Water is very important to keep you hydrated during the hot months, so whatever skin care routine you choose, don’t forget to drink plenty of fluids: natural mineral water, unsweetened herbal teas, freshly pressed juices, and smoothies work well. Carbonated and sweetened drinks don’t help. That cold cola beverage may look appealing, but don’t make it a habit to drink it when you are thirsty. See which drinks to avoid when you are thirsty here.

When you go out, it is always recommended to apply a good sunscreen (with a high SPF, but gentle on the skin of your face) 30 minutes before stepping out of the home. A sun hat is always useful to protect you against the merciless rays.

When you return home from a long day out, pamper your skin. Cleanse your skin to remove impurities and makeup. You can use a gentle face exfoliator without microbeads – but not more than 2-3 times a week. If commercial exfoliators are too pricey, you can easily make one at home with cupboard essentials like organic sugar, lemon, honey, and olive oil:

• Jusice from one fresh lemon
• 75 grams granulated raw sugar
• 1 tbsp organic honey
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Just blend lemon juice, honey, and olive oil in a food processor until you get a cream with medium-to-thick consistency. Add the sugar and mix well. Then apply on your skin as you would using any commercial exfoliator. Rinse well. There are many benefits in this combination: all ingredients are natural and full of vitamins. According to Beauty Banter:

• Lemon – A natural source of vitamin C; an ingredient commonly used to lighten sun and age spots and even out skin tone; a natural astringent that tightens pores and brightens the complexion.
• Sugar – A natural exfoliator; a natural source of glycolic acid which evens out skin tone, cleans pores, and improves overall skin texture by removing dead, dull skin cells.
• Olive Oil – High in vitamin E, which soothes and heals skin; a natural moisturizing ingredient often used for its anti-aging benefits.
• Honey – A natural source of anti-oxidants making it a perfect ingredient for age prevention; a natural humectant so it locks water into the skin and keeps the complexion hydrated; the antibacterial properties benefit the acne-prone skin by reducing breakouts.

Whenever you feel like you need a face pack to relax and reinvigorate your skin, you can use traditional ingredients too. We love the lemon and honey face pack, but there are many others you can try out, depending on what you have at home. Cucumber and sugar, for example. Grate a cucumber, add a teaspoon of sugar and mix well. Refrigerate for a while, then apply on your face and relax for 15-20 minutes to allow the mask to work. More idea for homemade face packs for your facial skin care routine for the summer via The Times of India.

Steaming is also a great way to open up your pores and to remove all the dirt that has accumulated in the skin. A sauna may feel like too much for the summer, but the steam bath does help. Or you can simply steam your face at home with these easy tips.

Before you go to bed in the evening apply a rich, moisturizing cream on the clean skin and let it work over night. You’ll wake up rested and full of energy, ready to face the sunshine again. Just put on a happy face!