Skin problems plague a vast number of the population.

You may think you have healthy skin, but according to the American Academy of Dermatology, approximately one-fourth of the population, or over 84 million people, are living with some sort of skin disease. These ailments tax the country’s healthcare system by about $75 billion every year.

Aside from skin diseases, there are all sorts of conditions that can make your skin look unappealing to yourself. The best way to avoid both skin diseases and conditions is by employing the correct skin care regimen.

Good skin care routines don’t just help keep your skin looking healthy and glowing, they can also be the key to a better body image.

Here are 6 skin care tips to consider if you want to have glowing healthy skin during the summer months.

Your skin needs the right products applied at the right time if you are to keep it nice and supple.

You can’t keep using the same beauty products you were using during winter when summer comes along. For example, thick creams meant to resist the cold will be cloying and irritating under a summer sun. While you may have used bronzing liquid during the winter, you can now switch to skin whitening toners instead. Keep the temperature and the activities you’re expected to do when shopping for skin products.

During the summer, your body temperatures will rise corresponding to the heat around you.

Your skin will need to breathe and be able to sweat to lower your internal temperature. If you want it to remain comfortable and glowing, you will ensure that it gets sufficient airflow.

Ditch thick creams and lotions as they will block your pores and trap excess heat inside your body.

These products can also cause skin irritation when combined with summer heat. Aside from using less thick skin products, you should also start wearing more breathable clothing. Fabrics such as cotton and linen are more suitable to letting your skin respirate than denim or wool.

Confusing as this may seem, you must let your skin breathe and cover it up at the same time.

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is one of the most damaging factors to your skin. Not to mention too much exposure to sunlight can increase the risk of developing melanoma and other skin cancers. If you must go outdoors, make sure to wear long-sleeved clothing made of lightweight materials. This can prevent sunlight from damaging your skin without impeding its breathability. You can also wear large hats to protect your head and shoulders from the sunlight too.

If you don’t have comfortable clothing that can cover you up sufficiently, you should always have a large supply of sunscreen with you.

The strength of the sunscreen should depend on what kind of activity you’re expecting to do under the sun. Sunscreens with low SPF as perfectly suitable if you’re just going to walk outside for a short period, maybe if you’re also going to do light activity. Heavier duty sunscreen is better if you’re going to go swimming or other more rigorous activities. Sunscreen will guarantee your skin gets some color without burning up as well as repel ultraviolet radiation.

Sleep is the best time for your body to rejuvenate, even your skin cells.

Without adequate sleep, your skin can be more prone to getting damaged and lose its elasticity. Summer, unfortunately, is when a lot of people tend to stay up late because of parties and other activities. However, you should always get enough hours of sleep when you can. Depending on your age, you will need between 6 to 8 hours of sleep every night to ensure your skin remains healthy.

The heat and the sun will ensure that, unless you remain in air-conditioned environments all the time, you will sweat during the summer.

Sweat not only can be irritating, it can also cause particulates and dead skin cells to adhere to your body. This accumulation can be prime breeding ground for bacteria or fungus, both of which can compromise the health of your skin. Every time you sweat a lot, you should make the effort to scrub yourself thoroughly. This will ensure your skin isn’t just clean but also healthy.

Summer months can be a trial, especially for your skin.

Unless you take extra care for your skin, you may develop a problem. These tips will ensure you have glowing, beach-ready skin for the summer months ahead.