Kristina Conner, ND

Prevention is the best treatment for preventing skin problems during summer activities.  Not only do you prevent the short-term discomfort and inconvenience, but your skin will be healthier and a better barrier to long-term conditions.  And the most important thing to keep in mind is that skin issues reflect your overall health.  If you are dehydrated and malnourished, your skin will never achieve that healthy glow we all strive for in the summer, tanned or not.  The basics of healthy skin and summer wellness:

1. Commerically made Natural Alternatives.  There are numerous natural versions of typical skin care products at your local health food store, which don’t contain harmful and harsh chemicals.  Try some of these alternatives and you will find that they work as well as regular brands, with the added benefits to the skin from ingredients like green tea, aloe, and jojoba.  To find out which ones are really natural and low in synthetic chemicals, check out the Environmental Working Group.  They are a wonderful resource and produce lists like EWG's Sunscreen Guide that are invaluable for choosing products. 
2. Water, at least 8-10 glasses a day of pure water and additional glasses if you drink caffeine or sugary drinks, or if you are active and sweating.
3. Whole foods diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and  seeds, and low in processed and fried foods, meat, sugar, and caffeine.  Emphasize cooling foods with high water content like melons, papaya, citrus fruits, cucumbers, lettuce, zucchini, tomatoes, especially on hot and humid days.   Other foods that are cooling are salads and raw  foods, tofu, seaweeds, and yogurt.   Spicy foods make you feel cooler also.  Natural cooling herbs that can be used as teas include mint tea, dandelion or barley tea (as a coffee substitute), nettle, and lemon balm.  
4. Common sense skin worship.  Use your good sense in trying to seek out a tan.  Avoid direct sunlight during peak hours (10 AM- 3 PM), wear a hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing.  Children are especially sensitive to the effects of sun, and severe sunburns in early childhood are linked to increased skin cancer risk later in life. 
5. Cleanse skin and hair using soaps, shampoos, and cleansers with mild, natural ingredients to minimize allergies and damage from chemicals (like chlorinated pools).  The same applies to your home cleaning products and laundry detergents.  Again, a good resource to consult is the Environmental Working group. 
6. Bug repellent: Citronella candles, personal bug repellant devices, and having adequate dosages of B vitamins and zinc may all help repel insects.  Avoid topical repellants that contain DEET, a known neurotoxin and carcinogen.  Effective natural substitutes contain a mix of essential oils  (such as citronella, lavender, lemon grass, cedar, tea tree, and eucalyptus) in a carrier oil or lotion (like almond oil).  You can make your own version by mixing 30 drops Citronella, 20 drops eucalyptus, 10 drops lavender, and 10 drops patchouli essential oils  with  4 ounces filtered water in a spray bottle.  You can also buy a prepared formula.   Apply to all exposed areas of skin.
7. Sun screen: Avoid ingredients such as PABA, benzophenone, and salicylates which cause free radical damage, which actually promotes skin damage and aging, rather than preventing it.  These ingredients also contain estrogen-like compounds that have been linked to an increase in endocrine and autoimmune disorders,  and synthetic chemicals that the body often reacts to.  There are no sunscreens that are chemically-free, but some effective ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide can be naturally derived and are much less irritating.  For most people an SPF of at least 15 is suitable, and above 30 provides little additional protection.  Apply before sun exposure and reapply every few hours or after activity. 
8. After sun soothers: Stay hydrated is important because your skin will need water to cool down and stop further damage.  Aloe, witch hazel, and calendula gels can be applied as often as needed.  Combination products can contain these, but avoid alcohol which dries skin out.  Oatmeal baths, cornstarch or potato poultices, and tofu or plain yogurt applied to sunburns help cool skin and soothe burns.  
9. Bug bite soothers: Immediate wash area and apply baking soda to neutralize and prevent itching.  If you’re outside, find fresh plantain, break up leaves, and apply to bite.   You can apply tea tree or lavender essential oil, undiluted,  directly onto the bite.  Or use a pre-made stick or solution with products containing aloe, lavender oil, tea tree oil, witch hazel, eucalyptus, and menthol, to soothe and cool the area.
10. Itchy skin rashes (poison ivy, poison oak): Wash area immediately.  Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar, buttermilk, and salt and apply to areas, or use a pre-made compound.  Oatmeal and/ or baking soda baths or poultices decrease itching.  ( See directions below) Zinc oxide, clay, or witch hazel can help dry an oozing rash  and decrease itching.