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.

It’s finally summertime and we know how eager you are to spend more time outside, soaking in some much-needed Vitamin D.  While the sunshine is so good for our mind, body, and soul, it can be a little harsh on our skin when we’re not properly prepared.  So, we put together a list of tips to ensure that your skin has just as much fun in the sun as you do this summer.

Exfoliate Less

Exfoliating too much is never a good thing, but it’s especially important to cut back during the summer.  We exfoliate in order to rid our skin of the dry and dead skin cells that collect on the surface, which is super necessary, but also can leave our skin feeling sensitive.  Without the little bit of protection provided by that dry layer, the fresh layer of skin is more susceptible to sunburn and inflammation.

So, the most you should exfoliate is once a week during the summer.  And, if you’re spending most of your time outside, you can even scale back to once every other week.     

Sunscreen: Your Skin’s Best Friend

We know we don’t have to tell you to wear sunscreen.  You already know how important it is to protect your skin from the strong summer sun.  But, we do have a little reminder: if you apply your sunscreen before you’re actually in the sun, it will be more effective.  And, be sure you continue to reapply every two to three hours.  There’s really no such thing as too much sunscreen.

Unfortunately, despite all efforts to protect our skin, we all usually still get burnt, at least once, each summer.  When this does happen, it’s important we help our skin recover and repair.  Luckily, Jojoba Oil is an amazing natural remedy for treating sunburns.  And, our Jojoba Gel Cream will help soothe your skin on those days it does get a little too much sun.

Don’t Forget Some Lip Coverage

While sunscreen is simple to remember, lip balm is easier to overlook.  Our lips are even more sensitive to the sun than the rest of our face.  We recommend finding a lip balm you like that’s at least SPF 10.  And, like your sunscreen, make sure you reapply throughout the day.

Hydration is Key

Keep yourself and your skin hydrated.  Drinking enough water each day is so important, even when you’re not spending all that extra time in the sun.  In the heat, your body dries out at an even quicker rate.  So, be aware of this and hydrate accordingly.

And, fun fact: drinking water isn’t the only way to make sure you stay hydrated.  You can also enjoy a refreshing fruit plate.  Watermelon and cucumbers are two of the fruits with the highest water content, so by enjoying these fun summer snacks, you’re also replenishing your skin.

We hope these easy little summer tricks will help keep your skin just as happy and healthy in the sun as you are.

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.