How to get sensational skin this summer

Jet, June 24, 2002

The sun is shining, temperatures are rising and belly buttons and toes are bustin' loose.

Summer has arrived! And this season we're greeting the world with more beautiful, brown skin than ever, which means we need to take special care to protect our largest, and most exposed, organ from the damaging effects of sun, smog, dry air, cigarette smoke, harsh soaps and other chemicals.

If you don't plan to bare it all this summer, you still will want skin that's healthy and silky-soft. And you can have it--if you follow these tips for sensational-looking skin.

KNOW THE SKIN YOU'RE IN.

The first step in caring for your skin is knowing your skin type, which can change based on the season of year, the climate where you live or fluctuations in body hormones.

Dry skin is characterized by tiny pores and has little surface oil. It flakes and sheds noticeably during fall and winter and has a dull, ashy look. In oily skin, pores are larger and more visible. Skin is shiny or greasy soon after cleansing and is prone to breakouts. Combination skin is drier on cheeks, oilier on the forehead, nose and chin. Sensitive skin is not a skin type, but a condition that can affect anyone, regardless of skin type. Sensitive skin is easily irritated by certain ingredients in soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, even food and clothing.

BE GENTLE.

Your skin is delicate, so don't scrub it like a greasy frying pan. Dermatologists say vigorous washing will not remove acne or blemishes faster. In fact, it will make skin problems worse. Cleanse skin gently with a soft washcloth and use products tailored to your skin type. If you have chronic skin problems, visit a dermatologist that specializes in Black skin care.

TAKE COOL, QUICK SHOWERS.

Hot water and harsh soaps strip skin of vital oils and cause dryness. Bathe briefly in lukewarm water with gentle, moisturizing soaps. After your shower, apply lotion while your body is damp to seal in moisture.

MOISTURIZE INSIDE AND OUT.

Choose lotions with emollients like petroleum jelly, cocoa butter and shea butter, especially if dry skin is a problem. Keep hands and feet extra soft by applying moisturizer under cotton gloves and socks at bedtime. And drink lots of water--two quarts a day, even more in hot weather--to keep skin hydrated and flush out impurities. Limit caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, which dry out skin.

SLATHER ON SUNSCREEN.

Even Sisters and Brothers on the darker side of the skin-tone spectrum are not immune to sunburn or sun damage from ultraviolet rays, physicians inform. If you'll be in the sun for any length of time, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF factor of at least 6.

BREAK BAD SKIN HABITS.

Bad skin isn't always genetic. In fact, many skin problems result from regular mistreatment. Washing dishes without rubber gloves, staying up late, eating fatty, fried foods, loading up on salt and artificial sugars, wearing makeup to bed or during a workout, smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, abusing drugs--all compromise the health and beauty of your skin.

BRIGHTEN UP YOUR DIET.

Eat all the fruit smoothies and garden salads you want this summer because bright red, yellow and green fruits and vegetables are rich in beta carotene, vitamins C and E--antioxidants that help protect skin cells from damage by ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. And make legumes (beans, peas), olive oil and fish a part of your health diet since studies show that they can help reduce wrinkles.

STAY COOL.

Mentally, that is. Stress can wreak havoc on your skin, causing acne breakouts, flare ups of disorders like eczema and psoriasis, and make skin susceptible to disease. Find soothing ways to reduce stress this summer. Fly a kite along the beach, enjoy an afternoon of sightseeing or lounge on the patio with a chilled glass of lemonade and a good book.