Summer is the time you want to go out and enjoy the sun with your dear ones. Summer means lots of out-of-doors time. It is a beautiful time to spend some quality time with your family. After spending such a lovely time, you would want to keep the happy memories of the trip, click beautiful photographs with your loved ones and collect souvenirs of the places visited.

Our skin gets damaged when our skin is exposed to UV rays. When our skin is unprotected, it can burn within a matter of minutes. The excessive sun darkens the skin complexion and color. It can also dry up the skin of its fluid, thereby affecting the finesse of the texture. Sunburn or suntan can appear on your skin with a few hours after too much exposure in the sun.

To protect your skin, you could use a sunscreen that screens out the burning rays or you could use a sunblock to block out the sun completely. With the advent of modern skincare products, a sunscreen or a sunblock is determined on the basis of the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) present in it. Regardless of your skin type, sunscreens should always be used over moisturizer and under make-up. Moisturizers and makeup products with SPF are now available in the market. Apply the sunscreen 15 -20 minutes before you go out in the sun. 

Once the skin has been affected, it is very important to take the necessary steps to take care of your skin. Some of the quick fixes you can try at home are:

• Apply aloe vera gel on to the areas affected by the sun.
  
  
• Add one or two drops of lavender essential oil to the bathwater will also help you get some relief from the burning sensation.
  
  
• Apply iced water with few drops lavender essential oil, every 2 to 4 hours to the sunburned skin. Iced milk and cucumber juice also soothe your body.
  
  
• To remove a tan and brighten dull skin, mix one tablespoon oatmeal powder and yogurt to make a paste. Massage this pack into the affected area, leave for half an hour, rinse off and apply a moisturizer with 2 drops of lavender oil.
  
  
• Watermelons are good for exfoliating the skin and are considered as natural toners. They protect skin from sun damage, moisturize it to make you look fresh and young. To remove tan, squeeze watermelon juice, apply this on your tanned face or body. Let it sit on your face for 15 minutes and then rinse it off with cool water.

Summer is not an easy time for your skin. Try the remedies next time you are exposed so much. They are definitely going to help you get through the summer. Cleanse skin often. Wear your sunscreen and be sun smart. Stay protected and enjoy the sun.