June 9, 2022
Tips for your skin care in summer
by Lena Severin
Summertime means lightness - after winter blues and corona lethargy, the carefreeness of summer comes at just the right time. The first warm days at the lake end with a cozy evening on the balcony. The mood lifts and the urge to act climbs - we are in the middle of the summer high. Our skin also enjoys the pleasant warmth and the summer breeze. At least if we protect it sufficiently and care for it properly. The sun literally draws us in like a magnet, and we are only too happy to absorb its energy. This is also quite natural, because it has numerous advantages and is vital. The photosynthesis of plants and our vitamin D production can only take place through the power of the sun. So being in the sun not only has a positive effect on our mood, it is also an essential player in our entire ecosystem. But there are limits, and as with most biological processes, a healthy balance counts here too. Too much sun can also be harmful, especially for our skin. Here you can find out how you can protect and care for them well in summer.
- What does the sun do to us and our skin?
- Our skin in summer – what’s going on?
- Skin care in summer: Better moisture than fat
- Hydrating active ingredients: Aloe Vera, hyaluronic acid & Co for your summer care
- Vegetable oils: regenerating body care in summer
- What else summer skin needs – cooling face masks
- Even more tips for your skin care in summer
- Summer sun – What does sunlight do to us?
1. What does the sun do to us and our skin?
Sunlight consists of different types of rays, visible and invisible UV light. Although the high-energy UV light only penetrates the stratum corneum (horny layer), the epidermis (top layer of skin) and the uppermost layers of the dermis (leather skin), it causes a variety of damage there. The release of highly reactive free radicals leads to damage to the skin cells. UVB rays are responsible for superficial sunburn and immediate DNA damage. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and primarily affect the structure of our collagen structure, thereby contributing in particular to premature skin aging. The normal skin metabolism is disrupted and the risk of chronic diseases and skin cancer increases.
2. Our skin in summer – what’s going on?
The summer months bring special challenges for our skin.
Point 1:
Your skin becomes dry and increasingly sensitive. Cracked areas make way for microorganisms, radiation and environmental toxins. In short: sun and dryness can be a real strain.
Point 2:
Our body regulates overheating in summer through its own air conditioning system - sweating. The moisture on the skin evaporates and cools us down. However, if we cause our body to produce constant sweat, areas of the skin can be permanently covered with the layer of moisture. The constant moisture softens the stratum corneum, making it easier for bacteria, fungi and other pathogens to settle. The result: an increased risk of skin diseases.
Point 3:
When temperatures are high and you're sweating, a shower offers a pleasant refreshment. It cools you down at first, soothes and cleanses the skin, but in the long run it takes away the moisture it already lacks.
Your summer skin tends to feel tight. It itches and sometimes flaky areas appear. Not only is it irritated, but in the worst case scenario it can no longer perform its important protective function against environmental influences. Only a healthy skin barrier can protect us from moisture loss, UV radiation and germs. So if we irritate it with the summer temperatures, we also have to care for it as needed.
3. Skin care in summer: Better moisture than fat
UV radiation and sweating cause the skin to lose moisture and become dehydrated quickly. It is therefore crying out for light lotions, creams and fluids that provide plenty of moisture. You can put rich moisturizing products aside until winter. Vitamin C and niacinamide serum nourish your skin with valuable active ingredients that strengthen your skin's resilience and at the same time give you freshness and coolness. If you want to prepare your skin even more intensively for the summer months, I recommend our antioxidant ampoules . Astaxanthin, organic sea buckthorn oil and blackberry leaf extract strengthen your skin's protective barrier with their antioxidant properties.
4. Hydrating ingredients: Aloe Vera, hyaluronic acid & Co for your summer care
The aloe vera plant is an absolute summer MUST-HAVE. The juice of its leaves, which contains a lot of stored moisture, cools and is an absolute blessing for sun-irritated skin. Its diverse nutrients also support the formation of the skin's own collagen and thus contribute to rapid skin regeneration. Let our aloe vera gel and our aloe vera spray help you with this.
Hyaluronic acid should also not be missing from your summer care program, for example in our hyaluronic acid concentrate . It supplies our skin with moisture right down to the deeper layers and stores the water in so-called moisture depots. By optimally supplying the skin with moisture, the cells can be supplied with important nutrients and waste products can be efficiently removed. It has an anti-inflammatory effect, tightens the skin and makes it glow.
5. Vegetable oils: regenerating body care in summer
Natural, plant-based care oils form a protective film over our irritated skin without sealing it off, thus preventing it from drying out. Rosehip seed and almond oil are rich in unsaturated fatty acids that are easily absorbed by the skin. They provide valuable nutrients and lipids that can develop their full effect at night after an evening application. They also strengthen our skin's protective barrier and thus contribute to improved skin regeneration. Vitamin E protects us from harmful environmental influences with its antioxidant effect. At the same time, it provides moisture and promotes collagen formation. Our skin appears soft and supple.
6. What else summer skin needs – cooling face masks
To prepare our skin for the many rays and to care for it after a long day in the sun, you can give it the perfect care with a cooling face mask. The best way to support our skin's protective shield is with a load of antioxidants that give it the strength to maintain our skin's protective barrier and mitigate the harmful effects of free radicals. The antioxidant trio of sea buckthorn pulp oil, resveratrol and turmeric extract in our antioxidant mask (available again soon) strengthens our skin and at the same time provides a cooling moisture boost.
7. Even more tips for your skin care in summer
Comprehensive sun protection
The tanning of our skin, which we so often want to achieve, is actually our body's own protective system against excessive sun exposure. Through the redistribution and increased production of the pigment melanin, a protection against the sun is formed, which becomes visible as a tanning of the skin.
But even that reaches its limits after a certain time - depending on the skin, the natural protection time varies between 10 and 30 minutes. A sunscreen with a sufficient sun protection factor is therefore absolutely necessary to avoid sun damage, regardless of whether your skin is pale in winter, fresh in spring or naturally dark. But even if you have sunscreen on your skin, you shouldn't spend hours in the sun. Even a cool, shady spot will provide you with enough sun rays and allow your skin to tan healthily and gently - less risk and guaranteed no sunstroke.
Clean and care for your skin properly
At the end of a summer day, you should definitely clean your skin. The mixture of sand, sweat and sunscreen clogs the pores and causes skin impurities. Salt and chlorine water also dry out the skin and lead to unpleasant itching. A damp cloth and a cooling cleansing gel or facial toner will free you of unwanted residue.
Healthy eating
We can also strengthen our bodies from the inside. In the hot season, we lose more fluids and minerals through increased sweating. Maintaining our fluid balance in summer is particularly important to avoid dry skin. Lots of water and unsweetened teas should therefore be high on the agenda. If you also put a colorful mix of fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts and whole grain products on your plate, you will not only strengthen your connective tissue but also your immune system and nerves. Vitamins, trace elements and minerals contribute to healthy skin.
Light clothing
When temperatures rise, you should look for moisture-regulating, air-permeable and breathable fabrics. Clothes that are too tight or synthetic fibers such as polyester cause dry and flaky skin. Cotton and viscose, on the other hand, are soft and comfortable on the skin and at the same time protect you from harmful UV rays.
8. Summer sun – What does sunlight do to us?
Sunlight also has a number of positive effects. Studies have shown that the production of serotonin in the brain is directly related to the amount of sunlight. Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter that is associated with feelings of happiness, among other things. A lack of sunlight often manifests itself in symptoms such as depression, difficulty concentrating, lack of motivation and an excessive need for sleep. Sunlight also regulates the production of vitamin D, which is involved in bone formation, for example. Cholesterol levels in the body are lowered and, finally, exposure to sunlight also stimulates the production of white blood cells, which strengthens the immune system.
Once again we see how well humans are adapted to their environment, how they need strength and energy sources and how they use them very skillfully. The body does a lot of work every day - our cells work around the clock. It would be pretty mean to push the limits unnecessarily and actually only harm ourselves. Thinking and empathizing is the most important thing and your body and skin will thank you. As annoying as we find applying cream in the summer, itchy and burning skin in the evening is much more unpleasant. The little care we give our skin definitely pays off.