Tips & Tricks | Summer Skin Care

2015 is heating up! I love the summer, but my goodness it's hot. Living in South Carolina has it's advantages, but this heat is definitely not one of them. I'm just thankful for MK Mineral Powder Foundation and the fact I have ponytail holders stashed all over the place.

MK Mineral Powder Foundation isn't my only savior during the summer, it's also protective skin care. I have some great tips and tricks from the UnitWise Heroes for perfecting your summer skin care and a few extra tid bits that you might not have even known. Sharing is caring, right? So let's get started!

Sunscreen
There are two types of sunscreen: chemical and physical. Your chemical sunscreens vary is SPF and offer the same protection as physical sunscreens, they just have an average 30 minute wait time before they will start protecting you from the sun after application. Physical sunscreens, also known as mineral sunscreens, also vary in SPF and start protecting you from the sun as soon as you apply it. The main difference is you have to apply it more often than chemical sunscreens.

It really comes to down to preference when choosing which one to use. The only important thing is that you use sunscreen. MK has a great line of summer skin care products that work great for sensitive skin. It's really one of my favorite sunscreen lines to use, and the packaging is just too cute.

What is SPF?
It is recommended that you use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and it determines the amount of time the sunscreen will protect you without getting burned. For example, SPF 30 would allow you to stay in the sun 30 times longer than you could without protection. Basically, the higher the SPF, the longer you can stay out in the sun. SPF 50 is said to be the true highest protection sunscreen you can get. Research and information varies greatly on the highest protection available, so it's difficult to find something solid.

When it comes to applying sunscreen, don't forget your lips. The skin on your lips is very thin and can quickly burn. You want to avoid using any high-gloss products on your lips if you're going to be out in the sun.

Accessories
Protecting your skin is the perfect excuse to purchase some new accessories. A wide brim hat is more than just a hot look; it's an outfit enhancer with anti-aging properties. It's all about the spin, right?

Sunglasses are also a key accessory. Prolonged UV exposure can redden the whites of your eyes. Over time this can lead to serious eye problems. To prevent eye damage, choose sunglasses with the following qualities:

• UV 400 protection. It blocks up to 400 nano-meters of UV light. 
• Impact resistant. You want shades that can hit the ground and not shatter like an iPhone screen.
• The right color lenses. Black, brown, and gray shades protect best. 

These are just your basic summer skin care tips. What tips do you have for protecting skin from the summer sun? Share your tips and tricks on our Facebook and Twitter. 

For more indepth information on UVA and UVB rays check out How To: Protecting Skin from the Sun's Ultraviolet Rays.