Summer savvy skincare

Even the most basic daily activities like showering and shaving can be tough on skin and deplete moisture.  But, increased time in the summer sun can wreak even greater havoc on skin, from minor irritations to major damage from exposure to UVA and UVB radiation.  Here are a few summer savvy tips to help those who need a sun-loving bodycare routine that promotes healthy, happy skin.

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Use The Right Products

OILS WITH HYDRATING BENEFITS:  Choose natural ingredients that moisturize, absorb easily and help repair dry, damaged skin without leaving a greasy residue.  Look for these hydrating oils on the label:  Coconut, Olive, Sweet Almond, Jojoba, or Meadowfoam Seed (which is also known for its UV light protection properties).  Shea Butter is also excellent for dry skin, stretch marks, cracked heels and peeling due to sunburn.

VITAMINS TO PROTECT THE EPIDERMIS FROM EARLY SIGNS OF UV DAMAGE:  Vitamins are powerful antioxidants that help protect skin cells when used topically.  They fight off damaging free radicals caused by UV sunlight and pollution.  Select lotions and creams with Vitamin E (Tocopherol, the purest form of natural Vitamin E available from plant sources).  It protects the epidermis from free radical damage that ages skin.  Also look for Vitamin C that calms inflammation and helps to promote the production of collagen to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

NATURE’S NOURISHMENT: For thousands of years Aloe Vera has been used to heal and soften skin. It’s a proven moisturizer that treats inflammation and calms redness from sun exposure. We also recommend goat’s milk, loaded with capric-caprylic triglycerides and lactic acid to keep skin smooth by encouraging healthy skin regeneration.

The Proper Routine

NO CHEMICALS: Read labels and keep chemicals out of your skincare products. Here’s our rule of thumb: If a bath or body product label looks like a chemist’s shopping list, steer clear.

START EARLY: Start a summer skin care routine well before sun exposure, giving skin a protective head start before increased outdoor activities.

GENTLE CLEANSE: Don’t wash too frequently or scrub too hard. Too much of a good thing is actually bad on skin. You need to cool it, too. Hot, steamy showers zap skin of natural oils, so make those showers cooler and shorter.

DON’T RUB DRY: Instead of an aggressive towel rubbing, pat dry following washing. That slightly damp skin will benefit from the extra moisture sealed in by skin lotion applied immediately afterward. That after bath moisturizer is one of the best practices to keep skin hydrated and smooth.

PROTECTION: Be sun smart and protect skin. All skin is susceptible to sun damage even with a tan. But, don’t be misled by the use of sunscreen products. Many sunscreens contain chemicals that are potentially harmful, including Vitamin A that the FDA has indicated may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions when applied topically (NTP 2009). According to the Environmental Working Group, the sunscreen industry adds Vitamin A to 25% of commercial sunscreen lotions. Read the label carefully on ‘chemical’ sunscreens that penetrate skin and may disrupt the body’s hormone systems, as well as ‘mineral’ sunscreens that may contain micronized or nano particles of zinc and titanium. Select a sunscreen that has no potential toxins, or better yet, make your own from the numerous natural recipes found on the internet.

OUR RECOMMENDATION:  All-natural bodycare from the ACEQUIA® Bath and Body Collection. Handcrafted by Capistrano Soap Company, the eco-luxe, chemical-free product line is produced from nature’s most emollient-rich, skin-quenching ingredients by a third generation of soapmaking artisans. The luxury line includes: Natural Castile Hand Soap, Luxe Body Wash and Skin Nourishment Lotion – products that nourish skin and come delicately scented in six signature fragrances. Available online at www.capistranosoap.com