Summer whispers adventure, sunshine-kissed days, and the chance to show off your radiant skin!
But with the change in season comes a shift in sun exposure and humidity, impacting how we care for our complexion. Don't worry, achieving a healthy, glowing summer look is absolutely achievable! Here's your comprehensive guide, focusing on the science behind sun protection, keeping your skin hydrated, and addressing summer-specific concerns.
Understanding the sun’s UV rays
Imagine the sun's UV rays as tiny daggers aimed directly at your skin's collagen, the protein responsible for youthful plumpness. These rays are the leading cause of premature ageing, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation (dark spots). Here's why sun protection is crucial:
DNA Damage: UV rays can damage your skin's DNA, potentially leading to mutations that contribute to skin cancer.
Collagen Breakdown: Sun exposure weakens collagen, leading to wrinkles and sagging. You might notice a consistent loss of elasticity, especially as you age.
Uneven Pigmentation: UV rays stimulate melanin production, the pigment that gives your skin its colour. Uneven sun exposure can lead to dark spots and an uneven skin tone.
Protection for fun in the sun
So, how do we combat these sun daggers? One of the best ways is with sunscreen. Here's my advice on choosing the right one.
Broad-Spectrum SPF 30 or higher: Look for sunscreen that offers a "broad-spectrum" of protection against both UVA and UVB rays. An SPF of 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays, the primary cause of sunburn, while SPF 50 blocks 98%. Don't be afraid to go higher, especially if you have fair skin or are prone to hyperpigmentation.
Generous application and frequent reapplication: Most people only apply about 25% of the recommended amount of sun cream! While sprays and roll-ons are convenient, you should aim for a penny-sized dollop for your face and neck. Did you know that it’s recommended that you reapply every two hours, or more often if sweating or swimming.
Don't forget the ‘easily missed’ spots: Apply sunscreen to your lips (use a lip balm with SPF), ears, neck, the tops of your feet, and even your scalp if you have thinning hair.
Protection beyond SPF
While SPF is essential, you should also consider additional sun protection methods to protect your skin from prolonged exposure to the sun. Some simple but effective things you can do include:
Wear a hat: Wide-brimmed hats shade your face, ears, and neck, reducing sun exposure. Look for hats with a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating for even more protection.
Wear sunglasses: Often used as a stylish accessory, sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays are good protection for your eyes. Wraparound styles offer additional protection for the delicate skin around the eyes.
Keeping hydrated for a strong summer glow
Now that you've protected your skin from sun damage, let's focus on keeping it hydrated. Think of your skin cells like tiny balloons. In the summer heat, these balloons can lose their water content, leaving your skin feeling dry, dull, and flaky. Here's how to keep your skin plump and glowing:
Lightweight moisturiser is your friend: Opt for a gel-based or oil-free moisturiser that provides hydration without feeling heavy. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water!
Pro Tip: Keeping a moisturiser in the fridge is great for an extra refreshing pick-me-up on a hot day.
H2O is your best friend: We all know the importance of drinking plenty of water, but it’s even more important during the summer. You should aim for around eight glasses of water a day to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. Fruits and vegetables with high water content, like watermelon and cucumber, can also contribute to your hydration levels.
Facial mists for a refreshing boost: Keep a facial mist handy to refresh and rehydrate your skin throughout the day.
Pro Tip: We offer a toner for every skin type in our Eve Taylor London skincare range, an important addition to your skincare routine and it can be spritzed throughout the day for extra hydration.
Tailoring summer skincare to your needs
Now that we've covered the essential sun protection and hydration strategies, let's personalise your summer skincare routine! Here's a quick breakdown of how to adjust your routine based on your skin type:
Oily Skin: Look for lightweight, oil-free products labelled "non-comedogenic" (won't clog pores). Gel moisturisers and mattifying sunscreens are great choices. Consider incorporating clay masks once a week to absorb excess oil.
Dry Skin: Opt for richer, cream-based moisturisers with hyaluronic acid or ceramides for deep hydration. Look for gentle cleansers and avoid harsh scrubs. Facial oils can also be beneficial for dry skin, but apply sparingly.
Sensitive Skin: Choose fragrance-free, hypoallergenic products formulated for sensitive skin. Mineral sunscreens are often gentler on sensitive skin. It’s important to patch test any new products on a small area of skin before applying them to your entire face.
Now that we’ve looked at skin type, it can also be important to consider a targeted approach to skincare with age. As we get older, our skin's needs change. So as a general recommendation, if you are in your:
30s: Using a gentle retinal product at night and a vitamin C serum in the morning can brighten and protect your skin, helping slow the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
40s & 50s: Deeper wrinkles may start to appear and your skin will begin to lose some of its youthful elasticity. Consider incorporating a thicker moisturiser and explore anti-ageing creams with peptides, collagen or retinal.
60s & 70s: Using hyaluronic acid serums, retinal serums and brightening creams can help maintain hydration which addresses concerns like dryness and age spots.
Nourish your skin from within
Some of the other skincare tips we often hear and read about are focused on diet. Eating a healthy mix of fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats provides essential nutrients for your skin.
Fruits and vegetables are packed with antioxidants that fight free radical damage and promote healthy skin cell turnover. These can include:
Berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, and blackberries, are packed with anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties.
Citrus fruits, such as grapefruits, oranges, lemons, limes, and tangerines are rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps boost collagen production.
Tropical fruits like mango, papaya, and pineapple are excellent sources of vitamins A and C, which act as antioxidants.
Dark leafy greens like kale and spinach are loaded with vitamins A, C, and E, all antioxidant powerhouses.
Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage are rich in sulforaphane, an antioxidant that may help protect against skin cancer.
Sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A in the body and has antioxidant properties.
Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that may help protect against sun damage.
Red bell peppers are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants called capsanthin and lutein.
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish (salmon, tuna) and nuts (walnuts, almonds), can help keep your skin plump and hydrated. Avocados, are also a good source of healthy fats and vitamin E, an antioxidant that may improve skin hydration and elasticity.
Beauty sleep for radiant skin
Getting plenty of sleep, between 7 and 8 hours per night, is important for your overall physical and mental health. It can also improve the health of your skin because when you are asleep, your body gets to work repairing and regenerating its cells.
I read an article recently that talks about a sleep method called Kaizen. Kaizen means change in Japanese and the article explains how making adjustments to your bedtime routine can help you get a better and more consistent night’s sleep.
Summer Skincare at Butterfly You
At Butterfly You, we can help you elevate your summer skincare routine. We can assess your skin type and recommend the perfect summer skincare products for you. Our range of Eve Taylor facials can cleanse, hydrate, and revitalise your skin. Whether you have 30 minutes or a bit longer, we have a facial for your summertime needs.
Finally, our range of Eve Taylor skincare products to buy will nourish your skin all summer long.
So, embrace the sunshine this summer, but remember to protect and pamper your skin for a healthy, radiant glow that lasts!