Glowing Summer Skin Check List
Summer has undeniably arrived in the northern hemisphere, and I must confess that it is among my preferred seasons. Is anyone else relishing the warmth and sunshine as much as I am? 🙋♀️
During the summer season, our skin deals with a lot such as exposure to chlorine pools, saltwater oceans, intense UV rays from the sun, and, for some, prolonged periods in air-conditioned environments.
All of these things can dry our skin out, strip it of its natural oils, and make it a little more sensitive. That’s why I complied this Glowing Summer Skin Check List for you.
It includes nourishing foods, natural skincare, and sun protection recommendations for gorgeous, hydrated, glowing skin all summer long.✨
Start Your Summer Glow-Up With This Checklist
Cleanse & Moisturise
Keep your summer skin care regimen simple : instead of a multi-step skincare regimen or lots of harsh drying chemicals, consider going easy on your skin with gentle, natural ingredients that nourish and moisturise.
Begin with a mild and gentle facial cleanser with minimal ingredients, followed by a moisturiser. Moisturizing is an essential step in your summer skin care checklist. Extended periods of outdoor activities under the sun or in the pool can often result in increased overall dryness of the skin. And need I mention, keeping your skin hydrated helps prevent wrinkles?!?!
When it comes to choosing moisturizers or oils for the summer season, it's essential to consider lightweight and non-greasy options that provide hydration without feeling heavy on the skin. Some of my favorites are gel-based and/or water-based moisturizers as they are usually light, hydrating and absorb quickly into the skin - ideal for summer!
If you prefer using facial oils, opt for lightweight and non-comedogenic options like jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, or rosehip oil.
Feel free to use a hydrating facial mist or essence to provide an extra boost of moisture prior to the moisturizer or facial oils. Remember, everyone's skin is unique, so it's important to find the moisturizers or oils that work best for your skin type and preferences. If possible, test a small amount on your skin.
Stay Hydrated
Considering our bodies are composed of over 50% water, hydration, especially during the hot summer months, is key for a healthy and radiant complexion.
While the conventional recommendation suggests consuming at least eight glasses of water daily, I understand that it can be challenging for some.
Enhance the taste of water, consider infusing it with refreshing additions like lemon slices, strawberries, mint leaves, or a combination of these.
Additionally there is a wide array of nutritious hydrating foods are readily available to act as an additional source of hydration during the warm summer months. Think of including farm-fresh, super-ripe fruits and veggies and healthy fats into your diet. Cucumber, watermelon, iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, and grapefruit are a few examples of such foods that can contribute to your overall water intake.
Diet
The role of diet in providing protection against the sun is significant as it can offer natural elements that can enhance your body's defense against sun damage.
Consider incorporating Vitamin C-rich like foods like papaya, citrus fruits as they will protect your from free radicals and are a key ingredient to help repair your skin tissue.
Also Vitamin E-rich foods such as avocados, will reverse free radical and oxidative damage to the skin. It also has healthy oils, which help lubricate and maintain better hydration of the skin.
Some studies have even shown that vitamin C and vitamin E in combination help protect against UV damage.
Additionally, it is advisable to reduce your sugar intake, as it can accelerate skin aging, contribute to increased wrinkling, and diminish your skin's natural radiance. (And yes, that includes alcohol too!)
Suncare
Of course, we can’t talk about a glowing summer skin checklist without mentioning suncare.
In recent years, there has been a strong emphasis on the importance of sun protection. Messages such as "Never step out without SPF," "Safeguard yourself from harmful sun rays," "Reapply sunscreen every two hours," and "SPF is your best friend forever" have been widely advocated.
However, my perspective on this issue has evolved in the past few years. I believe I am not alone in this shift, yet many people hesitate to express their views openly due to the fear of being judged. The beauty industry holds significant influence, and the constant pressure to conform to beauty standards and follow beauty advice is undoubtedly prevalent.
The sun plays a vital role in boosting vitamin D production, supporting a healthy gut microbiome, and regulating hormone levels.
However, many are unintentionally negating these benefits due to their concerns about the sun. That’s not to say I am unsafe in the sun nor that I promote unsafe behaviour. I do understand the dangers of extreme sun exposure and I do wear SPF (mostly mineral based or natural SPF’s) in intense sun.
Skincare is an individual and unique journey- there is no one size that fits all. The same applies to sun protection. Everyone has a different safe and healthy level of sun exposure. Personally, I adopt a minimalist approach when it comes to skincare and suncare (I do not apply sunscreen on a daily basis). While especially the latter may cause surprise or concern for some individuals, I hold the belief that we should strive to coexist harmoniously with the sun rather than fear it.
Moving forward, I want to emphasise that the following recommendations represents my individual perspective and are neither health nor medical advice but for educational purposes only.
Early Morning Light
In my daily routine, I prioritise allowing my skin to breathe and absorb essential vitamin D. I start off by enjoying the morning sunshine (when UV light is low and red light conditions are favourable) as it is the most supportive and builds up my tolerance levels to sunshine during the day plus sets me up mentally for the day.
Also I keep my eyes free of sunglasses when possible (even though I LOVE sunglasses) as it is the first point of hormone stimulation for the cells involved in pigment and vitamin D synthesis.
Avoid Mid-day Sun & Opt For Long Sleeved Clothing
In the middle of the day, when the sun is scorching hot (or when the shadow is shorter than my height), I avoid sunbathing.
I find shade as much as possible and frequently utilize hats, and opt for long sleeved clothing made from breathable fabrics like cotton or linen.
Mineral & Natural Plant Oil Sunscreen
On days when I know I will be in the sun for a long period of time, I apply some mineral or natural plant oil based sunscreen. If I opt for mineral sunscreen, I ensure that there are no nano particles inside as these could enter the bloodstream and could potentially cause harmful side-effects.
That is why I personally prefer natural plant oil sunscreens.: such as carrot seed (SPF 38-40), raspberry seed (SPF 28), avocado seed (SPF 15), olive seed (SPF 10), hempseed (SPF 7) and coconut (SPF 7 – 9).
Plant-based oils with SPF properties function differently compared to synthetic SPF products. They enable a broader spectrum of rays to reach the skin, thus triggering the endocrine response necessary for vitamin D synthesis.
I highly encourage you to consider what resonates with you and conduct your own research if you feel inclined to do so. If you do opt for traditional sunscreen, check out EWG’s Guide To Sunscreens for more tips on how to choose the healthiest sunscreens.
Hair Care & Mist
I know we’re talking about a skin care checklist, but we can’t forget to keep our hair nourished during the summer.
If you have been swimming or just hanging your head out the window on the highway, do try this all-natural Mermaid Hair Detangler Spray (which I have been introduced by Nadine from The Chill Moms) for soft smooth post - pool locks!
Mermaid Hair Detangler Spray
1 bottle Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood Hydrosol
1 Tbsp Copaiba Vanilla Conditioner
10 drops each Lavender, Rosemary, Grapefruit
Add essential oils and conditioner to the bottle of Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood Hydrosol and shake well. Use after a shower as a detangler
Summer heat can truly lead to dry skin from head to toe! So pin this summer skin care checklist to comeback and ensure your skin is beautiful and healthy all season long!
PS: Raise your hand if you're finding yourself squinting more in the bright sunshine and noticing those persistent "11 Lines" making an appearance! 🙋♀️ Then it's time to address this issue! Head over to my Instagram channel this week for more tips!
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