Tips to make the most of the sun this summer season in Mexico  

We know that the summer season is already knocking at the Mexican Caribbean doors, and you have surely realized that it's blisteringly hot here. In the last weeks, temperatures have gone up to 40°C, not surprising given that June and August are the hottest months of the year. That is why it is essential to care about the sun to avoid its consequences.

Although the sun is good for the organism thanks to the vitamin D it provides, the truth is that a prolongated exposition and bad skin care could trigger some cutis problems, as well as severe burns and, in the worst of cases, skin cancer.

But keep calm, it’s not all bad. We can enjoy this warm weather and all the landscapes this country offers while we care for our skin and keep us fresh. 

For this reason, I'll show you some recommendations that I kept in mind when I went on the Xichén tour in Yucatán. 

1. Wear fresh clothes to avoid a heatstroke

We know we are exposed to severe skin burns when we expose ourselves to the sun, but did you know you can suffer a heatstroke even inside a room or under a shadow? This is why it is essential to wear adequate clothing made of fresh fabrics like linen, cotton, silk, and hemp, among others. These fabrics will help to keep you cool and diminish the heat sensation.

2. Wear appropriate colored clothing

We already know we should wear clothes made of recommended materials, but the color also matters. Recently, a study was conducted where many different shirt colors were exposed to the sun. After some exposure time, they took the temperature of each color, and it resulted that the dark colors like red, black, and green had a higher temperature than light colors like white, yellow, baby pink, and pastel blue, among others.

It's crazy, right?  This is why lighter colors help diminish corporal heat.

3. Become an accomplice of your hat and your sunglasses

Wearing such accessories not only gives a plus to your summer outfit but also takes care of the sun exposition. These were my essential allies during the Xichén tour.

The effects of prolonged sun exposition could manifest later in life, but these simple actions could be essential for your skin.

4. Sunblock: the key to enjoying the summer

Of course, we can't forget about sunblock. Whether you go out or not, you are always exposed to UV rays. Therefore, we must always use solar protectors with FPS30 or FPS40 and remember to retouch it every 2 or 3 hours.

Most sunscreens are water, sand, and sweat resistant but if you visit the beach or some natural place like the waterpark Xel-Há, remember to use biodegradable sunscreen, which only contains zinc and titanium oxide.

5. The magic of good hydration

It is necessary to drink a lot of water. The hydration must be external but also internal, especially in the summer. Use a water-based moisturizing cream for your face and body. This way, you'll achieve hydration on your skin without the heat generating an oil layer over the surface.

When the body is dehydrated, you can grow old prematurely at the skin level, and the skin could seem dry. It is important to take a water bottle with you if it's reusable.

On the Xichén tour they offered a water bottle, and they told us that if it ran out, we could ask the driver for a refill with fresh water. In the same way,Xcaret Park has many refilling stations for water bottles, as well as drinking fountains.

Remember that with heat, the skin loses water naturally; hence, replacing it is important. How can we do it? Drink two liters of water per day!

6. Always bring an umbrella with you

It's not enough to use sunscreen, fresh clothes in light colors, maintaining yourself hydrated, and wearing sunglasses. Using an umbrella when we're exposed to the sun is preferable because it creates a barrier to protect us from the burns that could cause.

This was some advice I took during my visit to Chichén Itzá, and it was beneficial to enjoy the whole route while protecting my skin.

If you know some other recommendations, I invite you to write them in the comments section so we can all take better care of our skin.