The summer sun may be taking a toll on your skin, and particularly your face.  The rays easily damage and dry our face, which leads to wrinkles and peeling.  So, what can you do to get your glow back in no time flat?

First, opt for showers instead of baths, and try to take luke-warm water ones only.  Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from our skin, leaving our faces even more dry.  Avoid harsh soaps or facial cleansers, too, particularly those that contain harsh astringents.  These will further strip oils.  Use a gentle exfoliator on areas that are peeling.  Baby any still tender burned spots, being extra careful not to apply anything that will irritate them further.

Always make sure to lubricate your skin before shaving to protect the surface from razor burn, something cheeks are especially susceptible too once the sun has caused some damage.  Pat your face dry instead of rubbing it and immediately apply a sensitive skin lotion with SPF to still damp skin.  This will lock in moisture.  Opt for one that contains aloe or soy if you have a sunburn.  This will accelerate the healing process.

Make sure to apply an eye cream to the sensitive skin above, below and over top of your lids and don’t neglect your lips.  Before heading out, make sure to apply a protective balm or chap stick that contains SPF.  Leave any sun blisters alone.  Poking at these can lead to an infection, and the best option is to let them heal naturally.

Bring along a spritzer to hydrate skin throughout the day, and make sure to drink plenty of water.  Make sure to always carry sunglasses and a sun hat to avoid exposure as much as possible, particularly if you already have sun spots.  If you have areas of your face that are burned and painful, you can add an over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen, to your routine until the areas heal.  Going forward, be extra careful not to expose the skin to damage.

Remember that too much sun is extremely unhealthy for the skin and can lead to skin cancer if you’re not careful, warns the American Academy of Dermatology.  It’s always better to be safe than sorry.  Never go to a tanning booth.  Use sunless self-tanner or schedule a spray tan if you want to add color.  You can also opt to buy a foundation that is a shade darker than you normally would and top your cheeks with bronzer.