6 Tips for Sumptuous Summer Skin!
At long last we can leap in the air and say that summer is here – the three months of rain is behind us (hoping!) which means we are all spending a lot more time outdoors.
With the summer holidays upon us we have holidays in the sun, lazy weekends gardening, walking or being outside… what’s not to love? Unfortunately, the soaring temperatures and summer sun are less than kind to the largest organ of your body: your skin. So, we thought we’d give you a few tips to keep your skin healthy and glowing all summer long…
1. Exfoliate your body
During the summer, it’s important to exfoliate your skin to remove dead skin cells and improve blood circulation to the face and body – even more so than the rest of the year. Choose from any of the organic cosmetic scrubs available or, even better so you know what’d gone into it, make your own!
2. Luscious Lips – but go petroleum free…
Many lip balms use petroleum as their moisturizing base, any of you who have been on a Little Soap School Creams and Balms course will have heard this speech over and over again….. basically, it is the same crude oil used to make gasoline. Despite the common myth, petroleum isn’t absorbed by the skin so it doesn’t moisturize lips like natural plant-based oils, so stick to beeswax and other natural oils to soothe and moisturize dry lips… if in doubt stick to anything with organic on the label…
3. Know your sunscreen: Chemical Vs Mineral
We all know the sun’s rays are strongest during the summer months and having not seen it here in the UK for quite a while it’s very easy to forget this and whip our white legs out for belated catch up time! Just remember to use a sunscreen with at least a SPF of 15 or higher.
There are two main types of sun cream – chemical and mineral. The main difference is that chemical sun care products contain UV filtering ingredients that take time to be absorbed by the skin – so need 20 minutes to absorb before sun exposure. Mineral sunscreens contain inert UV protective ingredients such as zinc oxide and form a protective barrier on top of the skin, so have immediate effect. Some who suffer allergies or sensitivities to chemical UV filters find that mineral SPFs do not irritate their skin – zinc is also anti-inflammatory and does not block pores…
As ever, always read the label. For a quick reference guide avoid sunscreens that contain: parabens, PABA, benzophenone, oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone, padimate O and homosalate.
4. Keep your skin moisturised
Your body tends to lose a lot of moisture in the summer, so it’s important to regularly replenish the H2O. Drink a lot of water and liquids and your skin will stay soft and moisturised as well…
5. You are what you eat
Minimize sun damage by eating lots of antioxidant-rich foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E, which includes dark leafy greens and brightly coloured veggies…
6. Cleanse your body without sulfates
Sulfates, particularly sodium lauryl sulfates, are harsh detergents used in many soaps that strip the skin of essential oils leaving your face feeling taught and your body dry. Try not to use strong abrasives on your skin and instead cleanse with warm water and mild pure soap (see the benefits of our handmade soap below) or, again, if in doubt – opt for organic.
As for handmade soap, you can make it, or buy it completely free from synthetic ingredients such as fragrance and colour, the two main ingredients that can be extremely irritating to the skin. Also, it retains the glycerin that is natural to soap. It is taken out of commercial bars, leaving it much harsher to the skin. Little Soap Company soaps are all made with 100% vegetable oils including creamy organic coconut oil. Their rich bubbly lather cleanses and moisturizes without harsh chemicals.
Finally, when bathing or showering, it is important not to completely rid your body of its natural oils. Therefore, don’t vigorously dry your body with a towel, but simply pat it dry. If you strip your body of these oils, it will have to work twice as hard to replace them..
