Summer is in full swing, which means it’s time to make plans with loved ones to enjoy the great outdoors. A day spent outside the home is fun, but the intense heat can affect anyone’s health.

Watsons encourages families to stock up on health essentials that can help combat the harmful effects of sun exposure and high temperatures. With over 60 million people affected by El Niño there is a high chance of disease outbreaks. This also causes heat stress and respiratory diseases, among a wide range of health problems.

Since prevention is better than cure, here are the must-haves that the leading health and beauty retailer recommends:

Sunscreen 

Sunscreen protects the skin and helps prevent sunburn and premature aging, and more alarming conditions like skin cancer.

When looking for sunscreen, it’s important to choose broad spectrum products that protect the skin from

both the Ultraviolet A (UVA) and B (UVB) rays of the sun. Another consideration is the sun protection factor or SPF. This is a number that tells you how long the sun’s UVB rays will turn the skin red after applying sunscreen. Minimal exposure to the sun needs an SPF of 15 or higher, while longer time spent outdoors needs at least 30. It is recommended to use sunscreen 30 minutes before heading outdoors and to reapply every two hours.

Facial mist

Complement sunscreen with a generous spritz of facial mist. This product serves a dual purpose: it hydrates the skin and helps it absorb other products like serums and moisturizers. Facial mists have other benefits depending on the ingredients. Some have essential oils for aromatherapy, while others have antioxidants.

Vitamin C serum

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals that damage the cells. It also controls infections and heals wounds. The vitamin plays an important role this summer: when used as a serum, it can hydrate and brighten the skin, protect against sun damage, and promote collagen production to prevent fine lines and wrinkles.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is another antioxidant that reduces damage caused by free radicals. It’s also an essential vitamin during the summer because it cares for the skin and hair. Vitamin E creates a protective barrier on the skin’s surface to lock in moisture. Additionally, it supports the scalp and adds shine to hair.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral that helps make the heart, bones, muscles, and nerves operate at their best. It even regulates body temperature. Thankfully, the mineral is available as a supplement that can be easily bought at health stores.

Zinc

Zinc is a mineral that helps the immune system. It aids in wound healing, blood clotting, and the optimal functioning of the thyroid. A shortage of zinc may lead to pneumonia, skin changes, and even hair loss. The heat can damage hair so a zinc supplement may help address that.

Collagen

Collagen is a type of protein that helps cells grow, provides a protective layer for organs, and gives elasticity to the skin. It’s also available as oral and topical products that help with signs of aging such as wrinkles and dehydration. These can be caused by the summer heat so it’s advisable to take collagen this summer. 

Glutathione

Glutathione is an antioxidant that fights off oxidative stress, which may lead to diseases like diabetes and cancer. Its oral and topical supplements may help lighten dark spots and free radical damage to the skin caused by the sun.

All these health essentials are available at Watsons. The global brand in health and beauty retail offers a complete and wide range of vitamins, supplements, over-the-counter or prescription medicines, personal care products, and other essentials in its network of 1,000+ stores in the Philippines.

Watsons makes the shopping experience more convenient with its added services. Customers can choose Click & Collect Express, where they can purchase online and pick up their orders from their selected store in 30 minutes or less. They may also try the Home Delivery Express, which delivers orders right to their doorstep within three hours.

“Filipinos are making the most out of the summer by spending more time outdoors or traveling. The right health products can help them ease their worries so they can focus on celebrating and enjoying the season. Let Watsons remove the burden of shopping by visiting our wide network of stores and availing of Click & Collect Express and Home Delivery Express,” says Jared De Guzman, Watsons Customer Director.