Is your skin ready for summer? Everyone looks forward to hot weather and sunny days, but that heat can also be hard on your skin. As summer approaches it’s more vital than ever to maintain a robust skincare regime.

However, skincare doesn’t necessarily require expensive moisturizers and extravagant serums. Some of the best actions you can take for your skin this summer require minimal expense.

To keep your skin healthy and happy this season, incorporate these simple tips.

Practice sun protection

One of the best things you can do for your skin is to protect it from sun damage. Not only does the sun cause age spots and wrinkles, but it also increases your risk of skin cancer. To prevent sun damage, seek shade whenever possible and wear protective clothing to cover your skin. Most importantly, wear sunscreen with at least SPF 15 every day—even when the weather is cloudy.

Eat right

Did you know that eating certain foods can help your skin health? It’s true! Foods with Omega-3s—such as salmon, flax seeds, and walnuts—help to reduce inflammation and keep your skin supple and moisturized. Vegetables rich in Vitamin A, C, and E, including broccoli, bell peppers, avocadoes, and sweet potatoes, also help to keep your skin strong and healthy, and green tea is also a great choice, providing antioxidants that can help to prevent sun damage.

Cut your shower short

Even though you’re surrounded by moisture, long showers and baths actually leech moisture from your skin. To keep it hydrated, limit your showers to under 10 minutes and apply a moisturizer immediately afterward.

Use milder products

If you use skin products on your face and body, experts recommend that you select serums, moisturizers, and toners that are free of strong fragrances and alcohol (which dries out the skin). When possible, also avoid retinoids and alpha-hydroxy acid, two ingredients common in anti-aging products that cause irritation.

Don’t smoke

Smoking has serious and irreversible negative effects on skin health. It narrows blood vessels, and damages collagen and elastin in your skin, causing wrinkles and depleting your skin’s natural strength. Additionally, smoking increases your risk of skin cancer.

Lower your stress levels

Believe it or not, stress has a direct impact on your skin health. Not only can it trigger breakouts, but stress can make your skin more sensitive and cause other skin problems. If you needed one more reason to manage your stress levels, this is it.

Don’t touch your face

It can be tough, but resist the urge to touch your face. Your hands transfer dirt and bacteria, which irritates your face and causes breakouts. The same reasoning applies to your pillowcase—change it often so it doesn’t collect dirt and transfer it to your face at night.

Drink water

Your skin doesn’t just require moisturizer on the outside—it needs hydration from the inside, too. To maintain healthy, supple skin, drink 4 – 6 glasses of water per day, and more if you exercise or drink alcohol.

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