Just as the earth has its seasons, so it is with our skin. The summer months, full of brilliant rays of sun, can bring noticeable changes and challenges to our skin. So let’s take a look at three of the challenges most associated with summer time skin care and how we can manage them!
Challenge #1 – Excessive Sun Exposure & Premature Aging
The sun, in all its glowing radiance, is the key to life on earth. Sad to say, it’s also a major stumbling block in the battle against aging skin.
Excess sun exposure leads to free radical damage and inflammation that shows itself in the following ways:
- Damaged cellular DNA leading to the replication of unhealthy cells
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Uneven skin tone and sun spots/age spots
- Collagen and elastin breakdown
- Skin sagging
Healthy, vibrant, firm skin doesn’t come from damaged cells.
What to do:
We have all heard by now to use sunscreen. This is a given. But, what else can we do to fight the effects of sun damage?
- Antioxidant Serums – Serums are highly concentrated formulations that are typically worn under moisturizer/sunscreen. Look for serums containing important antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E. Antioxidants protect your DNA and skin from free radical damage that lead to premature aging.
- Pigmentation Control – Melanin producing cells are highly stimulated by sun exposure. Using a potent, but non-irritating melanin control product can help keep your skin tone even and reduce unsightly brown spots on the skin.
- Build Your Skin – Choose products that contain powerful peptides for building major skin proteins like collagen and elastin. These wonderful skin-rebuilders can make a huge difference in fine lines, wrinkles, elasticity, and firmness.
Some researchers claim that 90% of premature skin aging symptoms are related to sun exposure!
Challenge #2 – Excess Oil
Many of us, especially those of us already on the oily side of the skin spectrum, experience challenges with increased oil production during the summer months. The dreaded oily shine and potential for clogged pores and breakouts can be improved with a few simple measures.
What to do:
- Adjust Your Moisturizer – As your skin changes with the seasons, so should your skin care. Select lighter moisturizers that hydrate the skin with water based ingredients but have minimal levels of light oils/emollients.
- Control Oil – Look for products containing specialized ingredients to control excess oil production in the skin. Acnacidol is a wonderful agent for regulating oil production in the skin.
- Clarify and Refine – Use silt-based masks once a week to draw out oil and impurities, and choose daily cleansers that effectively remove oil without dehydrating and stripping the skin. Your cleanser should not leave your skin feeling tight and dry.
Challenge #3 – Dehydration
Despite more humidity, and whether your skin tends to be oily or on the drier side, dehydration (lack of water) can be a problem during the summer. Hot temperatures coupled with more sun exposure can dehydrate the skin leading to rough texture and increased, visible signs of aging.
What to do:
- Keep Moisturizing – Don’t drop the use of moisturizer during the summer in attempts at controlling oil. A better option is to alter the type of your moisturizer to suit your skin’s needs. Moisturizing adds a protective layer to your skin that helps maintain water levels in your skin.
- Hydrate Your Skin – Hydrating serums containing ingredients like sodium hyaluronate can attract and bind water to your skin. Gentle toners can also be a useful water source for the skin (avoid overly astringent toners as they can be especially drying).
Quality anti-aging serums can offer both hydrating and antioxidant protection.
Products for Summer-Time Skin Care:
- Combat fine lines, wrinkles, DNA damage, and sagging skin with SkinPhD’s Platinum Anti-Aging range.
- Get powerful antioxidant protection from our Liposome C & E serum and our SuperOxidant E & A serum.
- Control oil production and reduce breakouts with the Clarify range and our Breakout Control Gel.
- Even out your skin tone and reduce dark spots with SkinPhD Pigmentation Control.