While we battle with dry skin in winter and are blissful during the spring; we forget that summer brings about a nasty basket of skin care issues. Exposure to the harsh rays of the sun is known to have extremely negative effects on your skin and cause a range of problems. Premature aging, wrinkle and fine lines, unwanted skin tans and age spots can damage your skin and most often than not; the effects are long lasting.

Taking care of your skin during the summer months is imperative. You must drink plenty of water to keep your skin well hydrated. Most of the water from your body is lost in perspiration and you must replace the water that has been lost.

The best way to take care of your skin is always from inside out and hence you must eat a diet that compliments the weather. Avoid red and white meats during the warmer months and opt for fish and vegetables. Drink plenty of fruit juices and frozen fruit yogurt.

You body will not react well to chlorine and chances are that you will be dipping in the pool quite often. Wash off all the chemicals from your body and do not let it dry. Chlorine reacts with your skin to cause flaking and dry skin.

Use a strong sunscreen lotion. This will help to prevent skin burn and tans. Choose a lotion with minimum SPF 15, the higher the better.

If you suffer from a sun burn or a skin rash as a result of the heat; break off a stem of the Aloe plant and apply it to your skin. The gel helps to soothe the skin and prevent rashes and burns.

Your skin is more likely to get clogged with dirt and pollution during the summer. You must take care to wash your face thoroughly with warm water and soap. Steam your face every alternate day to get rid of the oil and pollution from deep within your pores and use a deep hydrating cleansing mask.