If you're not one for long and expensive skin care regimes, then you'll be happy to know that it's fairly quick and easy to achieve and maintain soft, moisturised skin during summer months.
Here are FOUR simple ways to keep your skin protected, hydrated and glowing all summer long - no hassle involved!
Step 1: Go easy on those long baths and hot showers
You may love a good soak in the tub or a hot, steamy shower, but unfortunately your skin does not. The effects of a hot shower are much like those of spending a good deal of time in the sun - dry and sometimes itchy skin.
So how does hot water dry out your skin? Well, according to New York City dermatologist Shari Marchbein, It strips the skin of sebum, the healthy fats and oils necessary for skin health, and dehydrates the skin.". If you've ever stayed in the bath for too long, then you'll be familiar with the wrinkles that appear on your fingertips after a while - that's a sign of the skin's moisture being stripped away (aka, a depletion of sebum).
Not only do long, hot showers dehydrate skin, but they have also been proven to contribute to the worsening of other skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, and rosacea. This is partly due to the fact that all these skin conditions are characterised by skin-barrier repair defects.
Sounds awful right? Well, luckily there is a solution to all this!
Shorten the period of time you spend showering or bathing and keep the temperature to a min (if you can bear it) - you'll be a step closer to happier and healthier skin.
*NEUTRIHERBS TIP: Try to pat your skin dry after your shower instead of rubbing it. Your skin will retain more moisture this way.
Step 2: Exfoliation is your friend
Exfoliating seems like an odd notion to undertake after you've spent a good couple of hours roasting away in the scorching sun, all in the hopes of catching a glowing tan for the summer ahead. The truth is, exfoliating your skin after a day in the sun is indeed the best step you can take towards attaining that deep, beautiful tan and maintaining it for weeks to come.
The benefits of exfoliating your skin (both face and body) are plentiful, but we'll focus on the most compelling reasons to start scrubbing regularly, especially during the summer months.
1. To get rid of a buildup of dead skin cells
Exfoliation is the process of getting rid of dead cells from the surface of your skin and uncovering fresh new skin cells underneath. This opens up your pores and allows your moisturiser to penetrate deeply into your skin. When you have a buildup of dead skin cells, your body produces excess oil in an attempt to moisturise your skin, which often leads to pimples, breakouts and acne. Exfoliation opens and cleanses the pores, while softening the skin. It's important to select a finer, softer exfoliator for your face and a more coarse exfoliator for your body to avoid skin irritation or damage .
2. To combat cellulite
Regular exfoliation (once to twice a week) eliminates the buildup of dead skin cells, yielding smoother, more even looking skin. While exfoliation itself can't get rid of cellulite, it can reduce the appearance of it as mentioned earlier. The circular motions of massaging a scrub over your skin may also help lymphatic drainage and stretch out skin tissue to improve cellulite appearance.
Coffee body scrubs have been particularly popular in reducing the appearance of cellulite as caffeine is thought to assist in dilating the blood vessels and reducing the development of skin dimples. Coffee is rich in antioxidants, promoting a healthier skin tone and brighter complexion. Caffeine also stimulates blood flow and eliminates excess water buildup (often associated with cellulite).
3. To maintain a longer, deeper tan
By clearing away dead skin cells through regular exfoliation, your skin will be able to better absorb moisturiser and maintain its levels of hydration. This preps your skin and allows for a longer, deeper and glowing tan. It's best to exfoliate after spending the day in the sun to remove excess sunblock and oils, both from your face and body. If you are feeling tender after a day in the sun, rather skip exfoliating for a day or two to avoid irritating or damaging your skin further. Always make sure you apply moisturiser after exfoliating to achieve the best results.
Meet your exfoliating solution!
Try the Neutriherbs Coffee Body Scrub with Coconut Oil. It helps eliminate cellulite, eczema, acne, scars, stretch marks and even varicose veins. Combined with sweet almond oil and macadamia oil, it leaves your skin soft and moisturised. Ideal for all skin types and perfect for both men and women.
Usage:
- Get your skin wet, apply the scrub on your skin and massage in circular motions.
- Leave to dry for 5 minutes and rinse off.
- If you have oily skin, rinse with a light body wash.
Main Ingredients:
Coffee
This high caffeine formula specialises in targeting stretch marks, removal of Spider veins and cellulite while boosting your skin's antioxidants. Our coffee scrub may help in preventing varicose veins.
Coconut Oil
Incorporating Coconut oil as an agent with other exfoliating or grainy materials can vastly improve the effects of the scrub. While the granules successfully remove excess dead skin and clean out blocked pores, the coconut oil works as a soothing agent and hydrates the skin instantly, penetrating deeper into the layers of the skin.
Sea Salt
Sea salt scrubs have an added bonus in the sense that salt assists to pull toxins from the body and ease inflammation. It's also brilliant for deeply cleansing, exfoliating, and nourishing the skin.
Step 3: There is no such thing as "over" moisturising
It would be absurd not to dedicate a portion of this article to the importance of moisturising your skin - it's the one point we have attempted to drive home thus far.
Some see moisturising as a habit adopted by those who take extra precautions when looking after their skin, and not as something that is essential to maintaining skin health. Unfortunately, this is because some people have not been properly informed about the importance of moisturising.
The reason that moisturising is such an essential step in achieving healthy skin and a glowing complexion is actually very simple - moisturising daily decreases skin problems and reduces the chance of developing extreme dryness or oiliness. Both extremes are harmful for skin and cause common skin conditions like acne, eczema and even contribute to psoriasis.
When looking for a daily moisturiser, make sure to select one that is rich in vitamins and has some form of SPF to lock in moisture and protect your skin from harm. Vitamin C and E are antioxidants which assist in protecting new skin and fighting skin damage, whereas Vitamin A and B5 increases skin firmness/elasticity and builds up moisture levels. Try to find a moisturiser with some kind of vitamins, as well as an SPF of at least 15.
You should ideally be moisturising your skin twice a day - once in the morning and once at night (after showering). Moisturising after a shower is very important because hot water strips all the moisture and oils from your skin, leaving it parched and dry. Never skip the moisturiser!
It's especially important to moisturise after sun exposure (as you are by now very well aware of) and to re-apply as often as needed to soothe your skin or sunburn. Two great ingredients that work well for skin that needs extra moisture are Aloe Vera Gel and Organic Virgin coconut oil.
According to Dr Frances Prenna Jones, a top dermatologist,"Coconut oil is a great emollient if the barrier function of your skin is disturbed. It's great at repairing and restoring this quickly as it is rapidly absorbed into the epidermis.[It] contains Vitamin E, essential amino acids, and lauric and caprylic acid which form part of the barrier function of your skin and help maintain your skin's natural flora aka the good bugs!".
*NEUTRIHERBS TIP: Try applying coconut oil to your body after your shower, but before patting your body dry. This allows the coconut oil to absorb deeper into the skin without leaving an oily residue afterwards - any excess coconut oil will be removed when patting your skin dry.
Step 4: Keep your water bottle filled and close by
It should go without saying that drinking enough water is essential to not only staying hydrated, but keeping your skin hydrated too. Drinking enough water hydrates and replenishes the skin tissues, leading to an increase in the skin's elasticity. This helps delay the signs of ageing such as wrinkles, dark circles or fine lines.
Drinking a sufficient amount of water daily gives your skin that glowy, dewy look - you won't be needing blush or lip gloss to get the same effects! Every organ in your body benefits from water, from your muscles to the digestive system, you'll even find your sinuses will start to clear up.Your skin is your biggest organ, which is why so much emphasis is placed on the benefits associated with drinking enough water on the skin. Water flushes out the toxins from our vital organs while also carrying nutrients to the cells, which helps the organs function at optimum levels.
Aim to drink about 6 - 8 glasses of water a day - your skin will thank you for it! This is a rough estimate to go by as the amount of water needed per individual would vary depending on levels of activity, the temperature (perspiring), humidity and other external factors. Remember, nothing happens overnight. It will take a good couple of weeks for your skin to start showing the positive effects of drinking enough water, but the good thing is that there is no downside to trying it out!
1 comment
Very educative..thank you for imparting knowledge..Knowledge is power!