Summer skin

It’s so nice to get out in the sun and feel the rays on our skin! We need to be careful though and protect our skin, and not just from the sun.

Dry skin

With the dryer air, chlorine and extra sun exposure it’s common to get dry skin during summer. An obvious remedy for this is of course staying well hydrated with plenty of water. Another simple tip is to lower the temperature and length of your showers because the hot water can strip oils from your skin, whereas cooler water is more protective of your skin, leaving it more hydrated.

Regular exfoliation is a great way to remove the layers of dry, dead skin. Take advantage of beach trips and use the sand and salty water to rub gently over your skin, or use a dry skin brush at home at least once a week. You can also make your own body scrub using pantry items such as sugar, ground nuts, salt and oils. There are lots of different recipes available online to try.

Regular moisturising is important, and body oil applied straight after a shower (even before you dry off) is a great way to lock in moisture and keep your skin supple.

If you do happen to get sunburnt, apply aloe vera gel regularly to your skin as this will cool and soothe it, as well as rehydrating and helping to heal the burn.

Over indulgence

It’s common over the summer months, and especially during December and January, to overindulge in alcohol and food, which can also have a detrimental effect on our skin. Alcohol is particularly dehydrating, which can make your wrinkles and pores more prominent.

Reducing alcohol intake, increasing fruit and vegetables, adding lemon water to your daily routine and introducing extra vitamin C and collagen to your diet can go a long way to restoring skin elasticity and hydration. Any stress on the liver is going to negatively affect your skin, so it’s important to include liver support to ensure that your skin is in optimal shape.

Sunscreen

Most importantly, to protect your skin this summer make sure to use a good quality, natural SPF sunscreen. Use one that does not contain nano zinc, because while this rubs easily into your skin it can make its way into your blood stream. Non nano zinc oxide can leave a pale blue tint on your skin for a little while after application, but it does fade and is much safer because the particles are too large to penetrate the skin. While lapping up the vitamin D is important, make sure that when possible you also reapply sunscreen regularly, cover up, wear a wide brimmed hat and make use of the shade when you can to protect your skin from the harsh rays of the sun, particularly in the middle of the day.