The Fourth is right around the corner, which means a day of family, fun, and obviously, fireworks.  Remember though, while you’re out basking in the sun, celebrating America’s birthday, to make sure your skin isn’t suffering.

We spend our Fourth bouncing between family get-togethers and barbecues, out hiking and hanging at the beach.  And, however you choose to spend yours, chances are your skin’s going to need a little TLC.

So, we put together a couple guidelines to help you and your skin both enjoy the Fourth of July equally.

Know your SPF

Don’t let high SPFs fool you.  The highest number isn’t necessarily the best for your skin.  Most dermatologists actually recommend between a SPF 15-30.  After that, the numbers just get silly, and aren’t even providing more protection than these lower SPFs.  If you’re worried your skin is burning, then instead of lathering on an SPF 50, just reapply your SPF 30 frequently.

And, if you feel like your skin has had a little too much time in the sun, don’t worry, your day doesn’t have to end.  Just pack yourself a stylish cover-up or lightweight t-shirt and throw it on.  Pair this with a sun hat, and not only are you cool and covered, but also sunburn-free and ready to continue your Fourth of July festivities.

Pack That Lip Balm

Okay, so we remember our sunscreen to protect our bodies from the sun.  But, what about our mouths?  Our lips are some of the more sensitive skin on our face, however we often forget that they need protection, too.  Make sure you pack a lip balm, and just like sunscreen, reapply throughout the day.  Because burgers and brats just don’t taste as great when your lips are sunburnt.

Psssst, want to know what else needs protection from the sun?  Your eyes.  So, when you pack that lip balm, remember to toss in a pair of sunglasses, too.

Hydrate yourself

And, hydrate your skin!  When you’re spending all day out in the summer sun, it’s important to hydrate, inside and out.  Make sure you’re drinking lots of the water.  And, at the end of the day, make sure you give back some moisture to your skin (because, hey our skin gets thirsty, too).

May we recommend some leg softening cream to keep that skin feeling good?  With ingredients like deionized water and Jojoba oil, our leg softening cream refreshes and nourishes the skin, without the use of any harsh chemicals.

So now, our skin can be just as psyched as we are to spend all day outside, under the summer sun.  We hope you and your skin have a very happy and healthy Fourth of July.

Unfortunately, some people still question: is sweating good for you?  Well, luckily, we’re experts when it comes to sweat.  And to answer that age-old question, sweating isn’t just good for you, it’s crucial.  We understand that, yes, it can be uncomfortable being hot and sweaty sometimes.  And, sweating can leave you dehydrated if you’re not properly nourishing your body.  But not sweating is so much worse.

Sweating is one of our most important bodily functions.  Not only does it rid our bodies of toxins and regulate our immune systems, but it also boosts our moods, and clears our skin. Yeah, hot and sweaty doesn’t sound so bad anymore, does it?

And while you obviously break a sweat when you’re out for a run, or in your favorite yoga class, these are the three exercises that physiologists deem sweatiest of them all.

Spinning

Riding your bike is a great way to get sweaty, but spin class is on an entirely different level. The high-energy instructors keep your legs moving the whole time.  And we think the fast-paced, fun music helps get that heart rate pumping and sweat flowing, too.  Taking a spin class instead of spinning solo just adds to the fun, because what’s better than really sweating it out?  Sweating it out with a bunch of new spin friends.  

Circuit Training

Circuit training is one of the sweatiest exercise styles because it is a high intensity workout. With this type of exercise method, you may not be working out for as long (only about 30 minutes), but don’t let that fool you.  The reason why circuit training is so quick, and why you get so sweaty, is because you perform a bunch of quick reps within each individual exercise in the circuit, with little rest time in between.  This keeps your heart rate up, and stimulates your metabolism to keep working, even after you’ve finished sweating

Kickboxing

Another high intensity workout, kickboxing mixes balance, coordination, cardio, and strength training.  And, while most of us probably don’t plan on getting in the ring anytime soon, kickboxing classes are a great way to learn how to stick-and-move while sweating it out.

These high-sweat exercises are a fun way to flush out toxins, but, contrary to popular belief, it’s also important to sweat, even when we’re not working out.  

Sweating in the summer sun is just as crucial for our bodies.  Our bodies need to respond to our environments in order to remain healthy and happy.  Sweating is the body’s way of adjusting to the changing environment, and this adjustment is what helps our immune systems regulate.  Even something as small as too much exposure to air conditioning can throw our bodies off.

So, now when your friends ask, “is sweating good for you,” you’re an expert on the topic, too.  You can give them the rundown on why it’s so great, and then invite them to your spin class.

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With these warmer months now upon us and with so many fun destinations in your near future, you want to keep feeling your best.  You’ve been working hard to get your body spring break and summer vacation ready, and while now is your time to indulge—which, please do, you deserve it—there are some simple steps you can take to treat yourself, while still treating your body right. 

Because we tend to eat out a lot more when we’re on vacation, we also tend to eat worse, without even being aware of it.  Here are a few of our favorite tricks to eating healthy on vacation, while still fully enjoying yourself.

1. Share Some Small Plates

While on vacation, of course you should be trying all the great foods a new place has to offer.  But let “trying” be the keyword. Try ordering a bunch of small plates to share amongst your friends and family.  This way, everyone gets to try a couple different things and you avoid overeating.  Not to mention, it makes your overall dining experience a lot more social. 

2. Treat Yourself…Once a Day

As we said before, you should be indulging, you’re on vacation.  It would honestly be cruel to ask you to say no to a specialty drink or a dessert menu.  But try to limit yourself to one “treat” a day.  Choosing one thing to splurge on each day gives you the leeway you need to be healthy, while still enjoying the perks of being (and eating) on vacation. 

3. Don’t Forget About Fruits and Vegetables

This probably sounds silly, but yes, make sure that you’re still getting your daily serving of fruits and vegetables.  This tip is exceptionally fun when you’re traveling to a warmer destination (um, can you say tropical fruit platter).  While you’re busy sampling all types of new snacks, remember to order a salad for the table as well, or start your day with a smoothie, and rejuvenate your body with those tasty nutrients it needs.

4. Lots of Water, Lots of Walking

Drink a lot of water, as this is our number one tip on how to keep yourself feeling good.  When you’re on the go, forgetting to keep your body hydrated happens more easily than we think.  So, whether you’re running around sight-seeing or lounging on the beach, bring a water bottle to remind yourself to stay hydrated.  And as an added bonus, drinking water helps burn more calories.

It all really just comes down to moderation.  You shouldn’t deprive yourself.  You’ve worked hard, you live healthy, and you’re on vacation, so let yourself snack a little, and order that dessert you’ve been dying to try.  Just remember there’s a difference between treating yourself and overdoing it, and your body will thank you for being aware of this.