We all love to take advantage of the beautiful summer weather.  And, what better way to do so than exercising outside?  It’s so great to be good to our bodies, and enjoy the outdoors all at once.  While a sunset jog and outdoor yoga are both awesome, here’s a few fresh ideas that we have on our list of outdoor exercises for the summer.

Fitness Scavenger Hunt

Honestly, this isn’t as tricky as it sounds.  And, trust us, it doesn’t require nearly as much planning as you think either.  You can make up as little as three rules, and those rules can be super simple.  Like any scavenger hunt, you find something, and then do something.  See, easy.  So, one of your rules can be find a bench, and each time you find a bench, do 12 chair dips.

Grab your friends and get everyone in on the fitness scavenger hunt.  Because the only thing better than enjoying some endorphins under the summer sun, is doing so with your friends, too.

Paddle Board

Just add water to enjoy this relaxing, yet still rigorous workout.  Stand up paddle boarding is great for your core, your balance, and honestly a great way to get some serenity out on the water.  You can paddle board in a pond, lake, or the ocean (but, psst, little pro tip, it is definitely much harder in the ocean with the different currents and waves).  Paddle boarding’s at the top of our list because we love when a good workout also becomes a great hobby.  It’s so much less fun when exercising just feels like another job.

And, another plus side, they now make paddle boards that fold down to the size of a lounge chair.  So, compact car?  No problem.

Run a Race

Signing up and training for some sort of race during the summer is really fun.  The term “race” being used pretty loosely here, because it really doesn’t matter how fast you run, or even walk.  It’s honestly just really rewarding to finish something you’ve signed up for.  Not to mention, the money from most races goes towards a good cause.  So, find an organization you care about and see if they put on some sort of 5k walk or half marathon.

Volunteer

The most rewarding way to get outside and work out is to get outside and volunteer!  There are so many volunteering opportunities that get your body moving.  Walk dogs at the local animal shelter, plant a community garden, organize a neighborhood clean-up day.  This is probably our favorite, fresh way to sweat it out under the summer sun.  Not only are you being good to your body, but your being good to your community, too.

So, whether it’s renting a paddle board, or seeking out some shelters in your community, try to take your workout with you this summer.  Because you don’t need to confine yourself to the gym when you’ve got the whole world and some sunshine all in your corner.

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.