Summer Skin Care – Your guide to Seasonal Skin Care
Karen Sinclair DrakeJune 01

Summer is a season where extreme environmental factors prevail: the sun can take a toll on our skin. In this blog you will find all the information you need to keep your skin in good shape for summer.

Atmosphere characteristics: high temperature, humidity, intense UV radiation, dryness caused by air conditioning.

Skin Issues: oily skin (greater sebum secretion), acne breakouts, dark spots and freckles (sun damage), dry/dehydrated skin.
Remedy: cleanse, oxygenate, moisturize with lightweight formulations, protect from UV radiation and preserve.

EXTERNAL MEASURES:

• Do not disturb your pH. Heavy metals-rich water, alkaline soaps/gels, taking long baths, etc will only strip your skin`s natural oils and make your skin more prone to UV damage.
• Always tone after showering/bathing. A mildly acidic toner will hydrate the skin and restore the skin`s acid mantle.
• Regularly exfoliate (2-3 times x week). Exfoliation not only gets rid of surface debris, prevent cellular build-up and keep the skin lubricious but it preconditions the skin to accept treatment based products.
• Keep your skin well moisturized. Summer calls for lighter, non-comedogenic, fast penetrating, antioxidant-rich moisturizers that lock in moisture and prevent Transepidermal Water Loss.
• Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. A healthy appearance of the skin throughout the summer is dependent upon sun protection. To minimize UV rays-related damage, you should seek shelter during the peak hours (from 10 am to 4 pm), wear a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect the delicate skin of your face as well as your eyes. Always use broad-spectrum sunscreens that provide a minimum SPF 20 (or higher if the skin is very fair). Do not skimp on sunscreen, make sure you cover your entire body (including your lips). Sunscreen should be applied 3o minutes before going outdoors as this is the time it takes to bond with the skin . Reapply it every 2 hours, after swimming or sweating profusely.
• Treat your skin to a facial smoothie. Maximize the use of antioxidant rich fresh ingredients that will keep your skin oxygenated and ward off/repair UV-induced damage.

INTERNAL MEASURES:

• Make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. During summer our bodies are likely to lose water to Transepidermal Water Loss and sweating; drinking more water can prevent dehydration.
• EAT your water. Indulge on fresh fruits and vegetables; the water they provide is more easily absorbed by our cells than drinking water and they are also a rich source of nutrients which keep the skin supple.
• Cut down on alcohol and caffeinated beverages. Their over consumption can lead to dehydration, especially during summer. Always drink an extra glass of water for every glass of alcohol/cup of coffee you take.
• Increase your intake of selenium, zinc, vitamin C and E rich foods. They shield your skin from UV rays-produced free radicals.

SEASONAL FRESH INGREDIENTS THAT KEEP SUMMER BLUES AT BAY (internally and externally):