How to look after your skin during summer ☀️🧴💦

While summer days are all about enjoying the sizzling sun, sand and sea, they can take a toll on delicate skin.

 

Whether you struggle with parched and dry skin, or are prone to summer breakouts - or if you simply want to learn how to protect yourself from damaging UV rays - read on to find out our favourite tips on restoring your glow this summer.

 

HYDRATE 💦

 

Staying hydrated is crucial to keep skin looking healthy, plump and fresh - particularly when it’s hot outside. If you want radiant summer skin, it’s important to stay hydrated by sipping water throughout the day. When temperatures are really soaring, you can try adding a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon juice to water to help your body to replenish electrolytes lost through sweat. We love to add a tbs of seamoss to our water too! Pack it with the good stuff!

 

Foods that have a high water content, such as cucumber and watermelon, also help to keep the body cool and hydrated. 

 

FOODS 🥥🍍🍉🍅🥒

 

Each colour of fruit and veg comes with its own benefits - and red produce can help to support the skin during summer months.

 

Foods rich in lycopene, such as tomatoes and watermelon, are thought to help to protect the skin against the damaging effects of UV rays. Produce rich in beta carotene, such as carrots, are also thought to be important for skin health and sun protection.*

 

If you struggle with parched or dry skin, you might also like to embrace plenty of healthy fats. Foods rich in omega-3s, such as oily fish, walnuts and hemp and chia seeds, all help to encourage a healthy skin barrier, keeping it soft, smooth and radiant. They can also help to support skin health after too much sun exposure.*

 

*Please do not eat these foods in place of a good quality, broad spectrum SPF. These should be used in conjunction with an SPF.

 

GO NATURAL 🧖🏽‍♀️

 

If you’re prone to oily skin, the summer heat - along with layer upon layer of thick, heavy SPF lotions - can add to the problem. 

 

However, don’t be tempted to use harsh ingredients on your skin to fight this - stripping your skin of its natural oils can actually worsen the problem. Instead, aim to use gentle, organic and natural skincare products and make-up. Non-comedogenic products won’t clog or block the pores, meaning you’ll be less likely to experience breakouts. 

 

SPF ☀️

 

Dermatologists will tell you to wear SPF through spring, summer, autumn and winter - and we agree! However, SPF is particularly important on hot days to protect your skin from damaging, photo-aging rays. Shop a natural, gentle SPF if you can, and try to wear it on your face daily - even if you aren’t sunbathing. 

 

Please bear in mind that you may need to enjoy a small amount of sensible and responsible sun exposure without suncream to help your body to absorb enough vitamin D. It’s also worth noting that, if your shadow is longer than you, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to absorb enough vitamin D to support your body - for adequate absorption, your shadow needs to be shorter than you. 

 

FACE MASK 🎭

 

If your skin is feeling parched and in need of some love, then making a DIY Sea Moss face mask will help you to rediscover your glow! When applied to the skin, sea moss can help to restore moisture. It is also naturally antibacterial, meaning it can be helpful for skin prone to breakouts, and is also soothing for conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, which can often be exacerbated by heat.

 

To make your Sea Moss face mask, simply mix two teaspoons of My Healing Kit Sea Moss with your choice of ingredients - honey for hydration, aloe vera to soothe and calm, bentonite clay powder for breakout-prone skin, or turmeric to reduce inflammation. 

 

LYMPH MASSAGE 💆🏽‍♀️

 

Finally, the key to radiant, healthy skin? Regular lymphatic massage! Lymphatic drainage massages help to drain toxins from the skin and can also reduce puffiness and boost circulation, helping lacklustre or clogged skin to look more radiant. If you’d like to give it a go, we love the book The Book of Lymph by Lisa Levitt Gainsley, which is full of tips and a lymph massage routine to try at home.