How to Care for Your Skin in Summer
Summer presents a unique set of challenges for your skin; higher levels of UV exposure, hotter, humid weather, layers of SPF, perspiration and dehydration can all affect the skin function and appearance - and that's all before you've had an Aperol spritz! Our guide highlights common summer skin problems and how you can make small tweaks to your summer skincare routine to avoid them.
The Effects of Summer on the Skin
We love the sun - especially here in the UK where we only see it about three times a year! The boost in Vitamin D works wonders for our body and as well as our mood. However, the sun can also be very damaging if you're not prepared...
Increased UV exposure can have many effects on the skin apart from the obvious tanning and sunburn. UV rays cause free radical damage, which can accelerate skin aging, leading to dehydration, inflammation and uneven skin texture. Unprotected exposure to UV rays will also darken existing pigmentation. The humid weather puts our oil production into overdrive, so moisture-loving skins might feel more relieved in summer. However, if you’re on the oilier side, this can result in breakouts and increased congestion.
Sun damage can present itself in many forms and because UV rays deplete collagen levels, one of the signs of sun damage is highlighted expression lines and wrinkles showing and there might be more skin laxity too.
The summer weather also impacts your pigmentation. Do you have darker spots, or areas where the pigmentation has been lost? UV rays increase melanin production which can lead to uneven pigmentation.
When you're looking in the mirror at the end of the day, are you more flushed than you used to be? Are there more visible capillaries present? Sun exposure weakens the capillary walls, leading to spider veins and diffused redness.
Now, feel your skin. Does it feel as dry as the Sahara Desert? Can you feel any rough patches that hang around like a guest that won't go home at the end of the night? This could be solar keratosis, a form of sun damage that is extremely common, but easily treatable.
What can I do to help?
First things first, apply SPF every. single. day. (Minimum SPF 30.) This will protect against sunburn and free radical damage that can wreak havoc on your skin. Along with SPF, lycopene, a nutrient found in tomatoes and watermelon, can internally increase your natural SPF but remember, it’s not a replacement for topical application. Pack broad-spectrum sunscreen in your bag at all times - and don't forget to reapply!
Drink plenty of water and incorporate electrolyte-rich foods into your routine to compensate for what we lose when we sweat. Bananas, sweet potatoes, and sea salt are all great sources. Reduce the temperature when washing your face and body, especially if you’ve caught the sun. This will help maintain your skin’s natural moisture.
Be a shady lady or gentleman. Try to limit direct sun exposure during the most intense time of day (10am - 4pm) and treat yourself to a broad hat and sunglasses to protect your skin from UV rays.
How can treatments help?
Regular treatments will improve your skin's resilience and target any areas that need some extra TLC.
Our Essential Facial is the perfect tailor-made, all-rounder that will maintain your skin’s health through summer and address any dehydration, congestion or inflammation that might appear over the next few months.
Hot weather can exacerbate rosacea and sensitivities, so if you find your skin struggling more than usual, book in for our Gently Does It, specifically designed to relieve heat rash, irritated skin, and sunburned skin and rebuild the skin barrier.
As bizarre as it might seem to use light therapy when you've had a little too much sun exposure, but our Under the Light LED sessions will help to encourage healing and reduce inflammation. They take only 30 minutes, so can easily be squeezed in on a busy day!
If you're experiencing bacne (back acne), which is more common in humid weather, book in for our Back to Front treatment for some help with this hard-to-reach area. This treatment works wonders ahead of backless dress and bikinis season to get you feeling confident all over!
What products support improvement?
Protecting your skin is paramount, so ensure you have an SPF and antioxidant in your routine to shield the skin from UV rays and fight free radical damage. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant that can neutralise those free radicals that slip through the net of SPF. (Studies have actually shown that Vitamin C can turbocharge your SPF for even more protection!)
You may think this is the time to stop exfoliating or using peels, however your skin needs help from retinols or AHA/BHA acids at night to combat the damage being done in the day! These products encourage skin turnover, unclogging your pores and keeping younger, plumper skin cells at the surface. As long as you're protecting with minimum SPF 30 every day, you should still be reaching for your favourite night time treatments.
Top-up your daily skincare with a hyaluronic acid mist, giving your skin a youthful appearance. If you can, try to apply them in a humid environment for even more hydration (a steamy bathroom is perfect). Not only will it plump your skin, but they are deliciously cooling in the sun!
And finally, a good mask doesn’t ever go amiss. If you’ve got a little too sunkissed, applying a rich cream mask will aid healing and reduce inflammation. To target summer breakouts, look for clay or peat-based masks that will draw out any impurities and excess oil to get your skin glowing again.
