Seven Skin Care Tips

Did you get a little too much sun this summer? Try this ‘Too Much Sun Facial’ summer skin care DIY 

Between the parade, a picnic, and fireworks we spent a lot of time outside celebrating the 4th of July. I have always loved celebrating the 4th of July and this year was certainly no different.

When I was a kid I remember my Dad going really early to the parade and saving our spot. My Mom would bring my sisters and I later, closer to the parade starting time. Now that we are grown we have started taking turns being the ones who go early and save the seats.

It’s actually been awhile since I’ve been at the parade with both of my sisters, so I was really excited we were all there this year. We also sat with some close friends who have joined us for several years. My middle sister volunteered to go early and get our seats, since she lives the closest to the parade, while I volunteered to pick up the traditional donuts. Yes, there are specific donuts required for this celebration. I got a couple dozen for us to enjoy while we waited for the parade to start. You have to go early to get the good seats (preferably with some shade) and find a place to park. So then there is time to eat and visit before the parade actually begins.

I don’t know about other boys, but mine are very uninterested in having me dress them in cute outfits. The best I could accomplish for the holiday was requiring that they all wear red, white, or blue. The twins both went with red shirts and Littlest picked a blue shirt to wear. I’m rocking my Junior League of Arlington t-shirt with our new Aiming for Impact theme for this year. A couple of the floats blew bubbles which Littlest particularly enjoyed. While the rest of sat and watched the parade he was running around and excited by the event. He also decided shoes were optional for parade watching.

After the parade we headed back to Fort Worth for lunch and to relax before the fireworks began. Littlest had been set on having a picnic for lunch for the 4th for a few days. He found the picnic basket and helped load everything we needed for lunch. We enjoyed our picnic in the park near our building. The same park we picnicked at before deciding to move downtown.

We capped of our celebrating by walking down to the Trinity River (just a few blocks north of our apartment) to watch Fort Worth’s fireworks show.

We actually had a slightly overcast 4th of July this year, but even on a cloudy day you can still get sunburned. Trust me. Because my kids and I all have fair skin I try to be zealous about applying sunscreen. But sometimes, even when you apply it regularly, you can still get a little pink. If you’ve had a day of too much sun, then this Too Much Sun Facial, with a whopping 2 ingredients, is for you.

Start with a handful of green grapes, about 10 is probably a good number. Mash them up really well.

Then add in 1 egg yolk. And stir to combine.

Rinse your face with warm water and then spread the grape mask on your face. Leave on the mask for about 15 minutes and then rinse.

No matter the season, it’s imperative to take care of your skin at home.

Cosmetic Dermatologist Natalie M. Curcio, MD, MPH offers her go-to picks to foster an-at home glow.

Gentle Cleansers: Opt for a more gentle cleanser that is hydrating, but still cleanses the skin and removes makeup, mascara and surface debris from the skin.

Exfoliating Cleansers: Mix in an exfoliating cleanser 2x per week. Choose a formula with Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and/or Beta Hydroxy acids (BHAs). AHAs include glycolic, citric and lactic acid. They are used to remove dead skin cells. Products containing AHAs include cleansers that can regularly prepare your skin to better absorb other products and stimulates the growth of smooth, evenly pigmented new skin.

Masks: As for at-home beauty routines, nothing beats a nourishing and exfoliating mask. I suggest incorporating one into your skin care routine 1-3 times a week. Look for ones which contain natural fruit extracts like pumpkin, papaya and pomegranate for enzymatic exfoliation. Masks are also effective at removing excess oil, removing dead skin, and cleaning out the pores.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant that must be topically applied to the skin for maximal efficacy. It is a potent antioxidant that scavenges free radicals (unstable oxygen molecules that break down skin cells and cause wrinkles), such as those found in environmental pollutants and after exposure to ultraviolet radiation. In fact, Vitamin C is particularly effective when used in conjunction with Vitamin E. Vitamin C is also a critical factor for collagen synthesis.

Hyaluronic Acid (HA): Apply under your favorite moisturizer! HA is a sugar naturally found in our skin that holds water. Adding additional topical HA fortifies the skin’s natural barriers to help bring moisture to the surface of the skin. As the skin is more hydrated, it feels tighter and looks smoother, improving fines lines.

Skin Brighteners: Skin brighteners are used to improve the appearance of brown spots, sun damage, hyperpigmentation and other skin discoloration. In the past there were only products with hydroquinone, which can lighten areas around the dark spots and its brightening effects are only temporary. Newer, safer skin brighteners are available without the risks of hypopigmentation.

Defensin Creams/Serums – Defensins are molecules released by neutrophils (immune cells) that stimulate a master stem cell in the skin to make new basal cells in the epidermis (top layer of skin) to grow and then cause a new epidermis to grow. Therefore, with a new “fresh” top layer of skin, people see global visual improvements in fine lines, wrinkles, texture, sagging, pigment, and pore size.

Here’s a couple of other skin care recipes as well

Strawberry Facial

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup over ripe strawberries
• 1/4 cup cornstarch

Directions

• Mash the strawberries.
• Add the cornstarch.
• Mix into a paste and apply to your face (avoiding the sensitive skin around your eyes).
• Leave on for about 30 minutes, or until dry.
• Rinse with cool water.

Yogurt & Honey Mask

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup plain yogurt
• 1/8 cup mashed banana, peach or apricot (baby food would be perfect)
• 1/8 cup honey

Directions

• Gently stir the ingredients together.
• Wash your face and leave skin damp.
• Pat the yogurt and fruit mixture over your face and neck and relax for 15-30 minutes.
• Rinse with warm water.

Walking around on hot cement? This is my sisters Burned Feet Remedy: Slather your feet in aloe vera and tea tree oil before bed. Wear socks and go to sleep.

Do you have any skin care tips? Let me know in the comments!