Summer is here, and the sun’s rays are beaming down on our vacation-ready, pool-bound faces. Although our moods become lighter during the warmth of the season, there are a couple factors that weigh heavier during these months, most notably high heat and UV rays. With these in mind, it’s time to take care of our skin and hair a bit differently than we were during the mild months of spring.
How the summer changes our skin and hair
During the summer, your skincare routine faces a few speed bumps: first, UV intensity gets higher, and we tend to spend more time outdoors. Second, the humidity-induced sweat triggers acne, as sweat and natural oils begin clogging oil glands and hair follicles.
The sun’s heat also dries out skin, making it lose natural moisture while causing flakiness and wrinkling. UV exposure also subdues the production of collagen and elastin, the two proteins responsible for firm, bouncy, and smooth skin, while increasing hyperpigmentation, otherwise known as dark spots.
Hair isn’t safe from the sun either. In fact, UV rays cause damage to the hair cuticle, causing brittle and dry locks. Top that all with an increased risk of sunburn—to both the skin and scalp—and you can see why it’s imperative to summer-proof your beauty routine.
Your summer-beauty guide
Here are some of the best researched-backed, summer beauty tips to prepare you for the months ahead.
Supercharge sunscreen with antioxidants
There’s one powerful way to boost the effects of sunscreen: use it in conjunction with antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, which have been shown to enhance the function of UV filters. Antioxidants are substances that combat free radicals, which are unstable molecules that steal electrons from healthy skin cells and trigger a cascade of damage. One of the biggest triggers of free-radical damage is—you guessed it—the sun.
Tackle those dark spots
Those daily visits to the beach during your resort getaway might soothe your soul, but the melanin in your skin, which is responsible for pigmentation, is getting keyed up. If you’re looking to achieve a more even skin tone, consider incorporating a skincare product with natural brightening ingredients, such as mulberry, licorice extracts, green tea, turmeric, and soy.
Freshen up with a flaxseed face mask
This DIY face mask went viral on social media last year, and the simple skin treatment continues to be touted for delivering fresh, uplifted-looking complexions. The idea is that when you boil flaxseed in water, the resulting gel-like consistency will tighten skin as it dries. While there’s no research that backs this specific recipe, a study demonstrated that a cream containing flax seed was found to help reduce fine lines as well as soften, smooth, and hydrate skin for around eight to ten hours after application. Similar benefits were found for oral supplementation of flaxseed.
Keep your hair sun safe
Try coating your hair with almond oil before a shower (or a dip in the pool) then washing it out with shampoo. Almond oil has been proven to protect hair against UV damage, moisturize strands, and boost elasticity by literally filling the gaps in hair cuticles. For prolonged sun exposure, consider a natural hair sunscreen—yes, that’s a thing—to protect your scalp from burning.
Sage your deodorant
Armpit odor is produced when bacteria mixes with sweat and festers. Traditional antiperspirants attempt to minimize sweat by blocking sweat glands, but the ingredients used to do that, like triclosan and aluminum salt, have been known to increase the risk of conditions such as contact dermatitis. A good alternative will feature natural ingredients that absorb moisture (such as corn starch) and offer antibacterial properties while masking odors, such as sage extract.
Consider CBD for inflamed, sunburnt skin
If you’re out of aloe (or are looking for a good alternative for sunburnt skin), you might want to turn to CBD oil. After discovering that there are cannabinoid receptors on the skin, researchers have found that topical cannabis can help with skin inflammation, itching, and wound healing.
Take collagen for summer-ready nails
With sandal season comes vivid polish hues—but your weekly pedicure could be drying out your nails, making them brittle and more susceptible to infections. Prep for summer by consuming collagen peptide supplements, which have been shown to help increase nail growth and decrease breakage.
Summer lovin’
Now that your beauty toolkit is stocked for the warmth of summer, it’s important to also make sure you’re taking care of your mental wellbeing. As exposure to sunlight has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health, make sure to get outside (sunscreen in hand) whenever possible, and soak in all the benefits that the warm weather has to offer.
POP QUIZ: The sun is responsible for 80 % of skin damage
There are plenty of factors that cause skin aging, such as chronic stress, poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, and pollution. But none compares to UV damage, which is thought to contribute up to a whopping 80% to skin damage.
Retinol burning hotter than the sun? Try bakuchiol
Retinol, a type of vitamin A, is considered the gold-standard anti-aging treatment among skincare professionals. Unfortunately, the potency that makes it so effective as a skin treatment is also what causes major irritation for many, such as burning, peeling, and sensitization.
Enter bakuchiol, a plant-based antioxidant that’s been shown to mimic retinol—without the itchy side effects. In fact, one study concluded that bakuchiol improved lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, and firmness, while reducing skin damage.
