Fun in the sun is a way of life for us. Days and nights filled with nothing but tank tops, shorts, and flip flops make summer awesome, but sunburn, sun damage, and the infamous “desert dry out” of dealing with a drier climate is an option we can all certainly do without.
Yes, living in a desert paradise with nearly 365 days of glorious sunshine throughout the year is a dream come true, but when it comes to your skin, it’s a dream that relishes a little TLC. Let these ten simple tips guide you to a lifetime of supple, youthful skin while you soak in Palm Springs’ unique desert vibes.
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Sun damage adds up, so wear sunscreen daily. You can use SPF 50 all you want to hang out by the pool, but don’t forget that sun damage is cumulative – you need to smooth on a little sun protection every day to keep your skin in the pink of perfection.
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Perfectly kissable lips need sunscreen, too – Use either an SPF lip balm or simply apply a dab of your regular sunscreen to your lips to protect your kisser.
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Keep your lotion in motion – Remember to reapply your sunscreen throughout the day. The effectiveness of your sunscreen starts to decline from the time you put it on – not from the time you step out into the sun.
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Rock a cool sun-protection look – Uv protective sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat are a great start. Add some UV-blocking clothing and transform yourself into a sun protection style icon.
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Don’t get in a sunscreen rut – Keep a variety of sunscreens available for every occasion – lotions, sticks, sprays, even powders in a variety of SPFs for different purposes. This adds a little fun to your sunscreen routine and lets you vary the scents and textures to fit your activities.
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Stay hydrated! – Be sure to drink plenty of water every day to keep your skin vibrant and healthy. The sun can be very drying, so pump up your skin from the inside with lots of good old H2O.
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Enjoy short, cool showers – long and hot describe our summer days, so enjoy a lukewarm or cool shower instead. Hot showers can dry out your skin by stripping away your body’s natural oils.
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Pat yourself dry – instead of vigorously drying yourself after your shower, simply pat yourself dry. This helps your body retain moisture and keeps your skin looking fabulous.
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Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize – During the hotter months, a nice light moisturizer is the perfect thing to keep your skin looking and feeling fresh. Apply it immediately after bathing and patting yourself dry to lock in moisture.
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Use Aloe Vera – Aloe Vera thrives in the desert AND it’s a wonder plant! It won’t protect you from sunburn, but it can help soothe sunburn when you’ve missed a spot when applying your daily SPF. It’s also a great moisturizer to relieve or prevent dry skin.
Whether you’re hiking the desert trails to fantastic views, lounging by the pool, or cruising Palm Canyon in a 1957 T-Bird with the top down, you’ll be ready to slip on your shades, adjust the brim of your hat, and cruise your way to your best skin ever!
If the only thing missing from this picture is your perfect Palm Springs home, whether it’s modern, Mediterranean, or something in between, I’m ready to hook you up!
I’m Stephen Burchard, The Desert Bowtie Realtor, taking the (k)nots out of real estate.
