Summer is a highly anticipated season. So much so, that people start forming resolutions on the first of the year to live healthier lifestyles, -specifically for the summer season. We await the summer season for hiking, camping, picnics, BBQ’s, jet skis, and many other outdoor activities that expose our largest and most delicate organ: our skin.

As the largest organ in the body, our skin’s main function is to protect everything within it. So, why do we haphazardly protect our skin? Approximately 90% of aging signs come from sun exposure. When we hear the term sun exposure, we only look at the possibility of damage from one angle -the sun. However, there is an element that is rarely ever discussed; heat. Sun damage, uv rays, and heat, are all melanocyte triggers that stimulate excess melanin production in order to defend the skin against the perceived trauma that may transpire.

Heat in the body can cause the same damage as rays of  Sun. The sun causes heat, as will extremely hot showers, saunas, laying out on a hot day, exercise, etc. Therefore, summer isn’t the only season that we should be protecting our skin. We must keep skin protection at the forefront of our minds all year long. Melanin-suppressing products (as well as sun (heat) protection products) should be a part of your daily skin care regimen.

Keep in mind that you are exposed to UV rays indoors and outdoors, no matter the season. So- it is important to apply at least a broad spectrum spf 30! (And re-apply it every 2 hours)