The skin is our first shield against all the attacks we face during the day. It is a permeable and dynamic ecosystem. Therefore, respect and care for its physiological structure are essential.
Glowing skin is not something that can be achieved overnight – for good results, regular and proper care is required. However, there are a few things you can start doing today to keep your skin looking beautiful and fresh all year round, especially during the summer months. Find out what those things are in the following text.
Above All, Protect Your Valuables
The biggest risk to the skin during the summer is something we crave all winter long – the sun. Protecting your skin from UV rays should not be optional, but necessary whenever you are outside, even if you are sitting in the shade.
Apart from the obvious recommendation to avoid the strong sun, it is also important to choose a suitable preparation for protection against UV rays. Such preparation should be waterproof, contain a wide range of protection against UVA and UVB rays, and have an SPF of at least 15. Do not forget that the whole body needs protection, so apply the appropriate preparation to the lips and the area around the eyes, hands, and feet. A wide-brimmed hat and glasses with UV protection (look for glasses with CE or UV 400 markings) will also provide additional protection. Of course, avoid the solarium but enjoy your porcelain complexion, which with proper protection will gradually acquire a gently sun-kissed, healthy shade.
Tan Safely
Even though tanning isn’t healthy, that doesn’t mean you can’t find other ways to tan. There are alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormones that speed up tanning and also speed up other things. One of these is Melanotan 2, a molecule that was first developed in the 1980s by University of Arizona researchers. The peptide was intended to be used as a sunless tanning agent but was subsequently found to strongly affect sexual function and appetite.
Clinical studies involving Melanotan molecules focused on their role as tanning agents and their corresponding potential to lower the risk of skin cancer, but clinical studies involving MT-II have investigated its abilities to decrease appetite, increase libido, and diagnose and treat male erectile dysfunction.
Water, Both Outside and Inside
Hydration is the first and basic step to beautiful skin, especially when the skin is exposed to salty sea or chlorinated pool water, sunlight, or high temperatures. Skin that is not hydrated very quickly takes on a grayish, tired appearance, fine lines form, and it is more susceptible to damage. So don’t forget to hydrate your entire body – face, hands, feet, and lips. Every day, with light formulas that won’t burden the skin and create an unpleasant film, but will provide it with everything it needs.
Masks From the Kitchen
Antioxidants can be useful in preparations, but also in masks that you can whip up from foods you probably already have in the fridge. If you happen to be on vacation without your favorite preparations, these recipes are like first aid when you need them most. Cucumber rings help with swollen eyelids, and mashed bananas with a little honey will help the skin recover after exposure to the sun. Cut a strawberry in half and rub it on your face for clean skin and a fresh complexion.
Refresh Yourself Anytime, Anywhere
For hot days, add flavored face water to your handbag. Water with the addition of mint will refresh you, while lavender will have a calming effect. Rose water is extremely beneficial for the skin; it not only soothes and hydrates. You can also try traditional formulas, such as hydrolases of chamomile or calendula, which have an extremely soothing and regenerating effect.
Exfoliation / Peeling
In order for any preparation to achieve its full effect, it needs to have an open passage to the skin itself. If there are layers of dead cells on the surface of the skin that have not yet been discarded, the effect of the preparation is greatly reduced. This is especially important if you use highly effective products such as serums and elixirs, or self-tanning products, when there is a risk of spotting on the skin. During the summer, stay away from scrubs that contain fruit acids that can cause skin sensitivity to the sun, but opt for gentler scrubs and don’t overdo it; once or twice a week is enough.
Nature and genetics have given us a certain potential for our skin condition, and it is up to us to decide whether we will make the most of it and preserve it. With our tips, we hope that protecting your skin will be easier than ever!