Now that it is officially summer and the sun is out to play, it is more important than ever to take care of our skin. Sun burns, dry skin, and dehydration sometimes happen when we are out enjoying the beautiful weather, but they are all completely avoidable while still acquiring that beautiful summer glow! We've put together some tips on staying happy and hydrated as you go on all your summer adventures.

1. Drink plenty of water. The best way to stay hydrated is to carry around an opaque, reusable water bottle. It is important to drink enough water throughout the day so that you don’t feel ever feel thirsty, as this is the first stage of dehydration. Having a clear water bottle with you at all times will remind you to sip on water throughout the day and keep your body hydrated. You can even add a little twist of lemon or lime to your water to mix things up!

2. Cut back on coffee and booze. Both alcohol and drinks with caffeine in them strip your body of fluids and cause dehydration. That’s not to say you can’t ever drink coffee or alcoholic beverages, just make sure you counter each one with a glass of water. Don’t forget - staying hydrated will prevent hangovers, so you can go on enjoying every summer day!

3. Know what ingredients you're using on your skin. Many commercial brand skin care products actually contain alcohol, as well as other chemicals such as salicylic acid, retinols, or benzoyl peroxide. All of these things will dry out your skin, leading you to think you need to put more products on your skin, which leads to drying it out even more, and the cycle continues. When this happens, your body overcompensates and thinks it needs to create more oil to make up for the loss of moisture in the skin which then can clog your pores and cause acne. A general rule of thumb is that if the product you are using makes suds, it is stripping the moisture from your skin and should be avoided. Gifts From The Earth facial scrubs and cleansers are wonderful because they cleanse and exfoliate your skin without drying it out.

4. Moisturize. Ideally, we should moisturize twice a day, but it is most important that you moisturize after cleansing your skin so that your skin doesn’t try to create extra oil, which can clog your pores and cause acne. If possible, moisturize in the morning after showering, then again at night after removing your makeup. Some people prefer a heavier moisturizer before bed, but I use the same one both morning and night! Make sure your whole body is happy and throw some lotion on after a long day of playing outside, when you wake up, or after shaving. Your skin will feel great, and who doesn't want silky smooth legs?

5. Don’t over exfoliate. Exfoliating feels wonderful, and makes our skin glow! However, when it is done too much, it can cause irritated, cracked, and chapped skin. Try to limit heavy exfoliating to three times a week at the most, and use a gentler skin cleanser on the other days. It is tempting to exfoliate when you feel like you have dry skin, but try not to overdo it and just apply some moisturizer instead. Being gentle is usually the way to go when it comes to skincare.

6. Eat right. Eating enough fruits and vegetables everyday is important for staying healthy, but also for keeping your skin glowing and hydrated. One easy trick to make sure you eat enough fruits and veggies during the day is to plan it out ahead of time. Even if you don’t plan your entire meals, just make a mental note of which vegetables and fruits you will eat throughout the day. For example, today I ate an apple with breakfast, I plan on having a kiwi and a salad with lunch, and I will make steamed broccoli with dinner. Make sure to eat a leafy green veggie at least once a day and your body will thank you!

Happy Hydration!