Hot town. Summer in the city.

Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty.... you know the song - when temperatures rise and the skin aint lookin so pretty, what's a girl or boy to do? Exfoliation, protection and good nutrition is the main mantra to keep the skin healthy. During summer months, the skin sweats more, so clean your face frequently using a gentle face wash. Avoid harsh soaps that can make the skin rough by removing the essential skin oils. Summer is  often a difficult time for the skin; proper care is necessary not just to cleanse the pores that are purging but also protection from the ultra-violet light is imperative. The skin will form a natural protective layer and tends to thicken to protect it from the effects of the environment. This layer is made up of sebum, dead cells and perspiration which gradually dries out the skin and forms a coating on the skin clogging the pores more easily.

Summer Skincare Tips

Exfoliation:

Skin tends to become more oily as  temperatures rise, this means normal to dry skin types will likely develop into normal to oily during the summer.If you have oily skin, keep it clean by washing every time you step out or do physical activities that cause you to sweat. Choose a moisturizer with a lighter texture during the summer months; the moisturizer should still contain important ingredients that will moisturize the skin effectively. These ingredients include vitamins, humectants and botanicals. As for cleansing, more oil can lead to more clogged pores and break outs, be sure cleanse the skin properly. At bedtime, remove all make up and lightly cleanse in the morning and after any sport or exercise. A cleanser that is effective and not drying is important!  It is important to exfoliate regularly to avoid clogged pores and keep your complexion looking even. An at-home exfoliant, such as a facial scrub can be added to your beauty routine a few times a week to keep your skin at its best. However, I recommend for optimum results a professional facial treatment and with the proper care and guidelines a milder peel can be effective and safe in the summer months too.

Sun Protection:

Avoid going out in the sun between 11 AM and 2 PM during the summer months, the intensity of the sun  is more and apart from generating searing heat, the suns rays also radiate high amounts of ultra-violet radiation. UV rays are intense and damaging to the skin thus sun protection is necessary to avoid long term damage and sun protection no lower than SPF 30 should be applied to the face and body to avoid the damage caused by ultra-violet light. UVA rays are the rays that cause wrinkles and skin aging, while UVB rays produce tans and burns. Look for a sunblock that is dual-spectrum, meaning it blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Zinc and/or Zinc Oxide are powerful sun protectors that naturally reflect the sun's harmful rays, unlike chemical sunscreens that absorb UV rays to prevent them from damaging the epidermal layer. Overexposure to the sun can also result in retinal damage to your eyes, highlighting the importance of sunglasses and hats to shield the eyes, the skin around the eyes is the most delicate and should have extra protection. Sunglasses/Hats that block sun rays are a great investment and they also reduce squinting as a result of sun glare which can cause crows feet or fine lines while the intense summer rays can cause pigmentation to the delicate skin.

Antioxidants:

Antioxidants are essential for healthy summer skin because they help repair skin and combat free radicals caused by air pollution and sunlight. As the body’s first line of defense against oxidation—a chemical response that can produce cell-damaging free radicals—antioxidants inhibit potentially destructive reactions before they have a chance to snowball out of control and protect the skin from what ages it. Internally, free radicals are believed to be linked to cancer, heart disease and a host of other life-threatening conditions. Externally, evidence suggests a strong link to premature aging, suggesting that oxidative damage plays a major role in the loss of skin firmness, smoothness and luminosity. The human body produces antioxidants naturally and acquires them through dietary sources, however, environmental factors and lifestyle choices greatly increase free radical production and can quickly use up the body’s natural levels of antioxidants. When environmental threats (i.e. UV rays and pollution) and lifestyle choices (i.e. smoking, excessive drinking and poor diet) overwhelm the body with free radicals and exhaust its antioxidant reserves, it often leads to a condition known as oxidative stress.

Nutrition:

Summer is a great season to enjoy what nature has to offer - fresh fruits and vegetables. It's also a time to consider more cooling foods. Whether you're trying to lose weight or just want to eat healthy, summer provides your pick of produce. Summer fruits and vegetables in addition to having lower calories than snack foods, offer antioxidants. Eating Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables are another way to receive these skin benefits.

Fruits:

Berries (Cherry, blackberry, strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, bilberry/wild blueberry,) orange, plum, pineapple, kiwi fruit, grapefruit, apple and pears -this fruit has a high water content and filled with antioxidants that are needed to flush a free agent from your body. Trimming calories by taking advantage of the beneficial effects of fiber in your digestive tract. Let's not forget cucumber, this fruit is great for preventing water retention and is wonderful in salads or for juicing. It also has a toning effect when used directly on the skin.

Vegetables:

Bitter leafy greens such as- dandelion, mustard greens, arugula,  parsley, spinach, red beets and asparagus. Asparagus is rich in water and have no more than 4 calories. Regular consumption of asparagus to ensure proper hydration of our bodies. This factor also contributed to the ideal function of metabolism. In addition to taking full advantage of vitamin C and A content that increase energy and keep your immune system in top shape. Let's add Radishes to this mix to help with cleansing and digestion.

Dry Fruits high in Antioxidants:

Apricots, prunes, dates.

Nuts and Seeds:

Pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, ground nut or peanuts, sunflower seeds.

Spices & Herbs:

Cardamom, fennel, mint, parsley and cilantro

Coconut Oil:

A natural sunscreen and skin lubricant, coconut oil cools you down and calms the nervous system.

Water:

Finally stay hydrated! Particularly during summer's dog days, it's important to make sure you remain hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Caffeinated beverages such as iced coffee or soda can be refreshing, but they also dehydrate the body and the same goes for alcohol. Water not only refreshes the body, it will also help you stay energized and avoid dehydration.

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it. ~ Russell Baker 

Love & Light,

Claudia