Val Shares Her Favorite Summer Skin Care Tips

We've hit the height of summer, and I started thinking about important summer skin care tips because it can be easy to let things go a bit with vacations, the kids' schedules, etc.

No. 1, of course, is always using sunscreen. You can find a great sunscreen/moisturizer combo that easily fits into your regular beauty routine. Finding some cute hats solves two problems -- it provides another protective barrier against harmful UV rays, and is an immediate cure for a bad hair day.

Here are five more great tips, curated with a little help from my friends at Spa 400:

1. Swap out your heavier creams with lighter serums. Your needs change a bit with the season, so it's natural that your products will, too.

2. Exfoliate regularly for clearer, smoother skin. One thing I really love about Spa 400 is how knowledgeable their aestheticians are. They can recommend services and products that will get you noticeable results. If you're going to spend the time exfoliating, you might as well make sure you're using the products that are best suited for you!

3. Stay hydrated to help maintain critical moisture balance of the body and skin and assist in detoxification. Remember to drink more non-caffeinated liquids when you spend more time outside!

4. Soothe over-exposed skin. Apply cooling balms or gels generously to over-exposed skin to assist with reducing redness and inflammation.

5. Don't be afraid to pamper yourself. If you're feeling self conscious about showing a lot of skin this summer, look into trying the Venus Freeze. It's a treatment that can be done on both the face and neck, as well as anywhere else on the body. The Venus Freeze tightens and firms your skin, so it really helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles -- even cellulite. Even better, you can get a Venus Freeze on your lunch hour. It's quick and there's no down time.

Pro tip: If you're new to spa skin care (or if you already know how amazing regular facials can be), consider joining Spa 400's VIP Facial Club. For $80 a month you'll receive: one facial a month, 15 percent off skin care products and $50 in spa "Beauty Bucks" to share with friends and family.

With the VIP Facial Club, you'll get the chance to try out different treatments and experience the results each can give you. For my acne-prone skin, I make sure to get Spa 400's Clarifying Acne Facial regularly. You see a difference after the first time, and after regular treatments — wow — the results are incredible.

Ready to get started? Call them at (716) 631-1516 or visit Spa400.com.