Summer is an important time of year for enjoying the sun and long vacations. However, it can also be taxing on the skin. The combination of increased sun exposure, changes in humidity, and other environmental factors like salt water and air conditioning can leave your skin dry, damaged, and in desperate need of repair. As you return to your daily routine after the summer, it is essential to focus on restoring your skin’s optimal health and repairing the skin barrier and cellular health after it has been exposed to various aggressors.
Summer skin damage: what are the causes?
The effects of summer on your skin go much deeper than just sun exposure and damage. Beneath the surface, your skin faces a complex interplay of environmental factors that challenge its natural defenses and differ from those you face throughout the rest of the year. Understanding these factors is key to knowing how to repair your skin after the summer.
Dryness due to heat and air conditioning
Prolonged exposure to heat during the summer months leads to a loss of skin hydration through a process known as transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This is a natural process in which water evaporates from the skin’s surface, but during the warmer months, this process accelerates as the body attempts to cool itself down.
The loss of hydration makes fine lines and wrinkles more visible, contributing to a dull appearance.
Sudden changes in environment, such as moving from a humid outdoors to an air-conditioned indoors, can disrupt the skin’s natural balance. This sudden shift can lead to increased sebum production, clogged pores, and breakouts as the skin struggles to adapt to fluctuating conditions. Furthermore, travel stress, including climate changes and exposure to different water sources, can exacerbate skin issues, leading to increased acne and other forms of irritation.
While air conditioning provides a welcome relief from the heat, it significantly reduces indoor humidity levels, which exacerbates skin water loss, leading to increased roughness and dryness, as well as a weakened skin barrier.
Sea water:
The salt in sea water acts as a natural exfoliant, which is an excellent property.
Sea water, particularly in busy tourist areas or near industrial zones, may contain pollutants that can penetrate deeper layers, causing oxidative stress and long-term damage. Studies have shown that areas like the Mediterranean Sea, which is very popular for summer vacations, are often polluted, hence the importance of protecting and repairing your skin after bathing in these waters.
Changes to your diet:
Summer vacations often mean consuming foods and drinks that are not part of your usual diet.
High consumption of sugar, processed foods, and alcohol can contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress in your skin. This can lead to increased breakouts, dullness, and a general lack of skin vitality. The link between gut health and skin health is well-documented. Therefore, it is essential to return to a diet rich in antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals to restore your skin’s natural glow and resilience.
Sun damage
Sun damage is responsible for over 85% of premature skin aging, such as increased hyperpigmentation and dark spots, sunburns, oxidative stress, and premature skin aging, and in the most severe cases, an increased likelihood of skin cancers later in life.
Sunscreen is essential in the summer, but studies show that most people do not apply enough to achieve the full advertised SPF protection. Even if you use it regularly, your skin can remain vulnerable to UV damage due to insufficient application or missed spots. When applied correctly, SPF 50 sunscreen provides about 98% protection against UV rays. However, in practice, many people only apply a quarter of the recommended amount, which reduces its effectiveness to about 50%. This leaves the skin exposed to harmful UV rays, which can cause long-term damage, including sunburn, premature aging, and an increased risk of skin cancer.
This is why the Skin Diligent Vitamin C Serum-In-Oil can be safely applied under your sunscreen in the morning, providing an extra layer of defense against sun damage.
How to repair your skin from sun damage and other aggressors after the summer:
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Rehydration:
To counter increased moisture loss and environmental damage, it is essential to rehydrate your skin using ingredients that restore moisture balance. Look for skincare products containing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and magnesium, as these ingredients are effective at attracting and retaining moisture in the skin. Additionally, prebiotic inulin can help support the skin’s microbiome, promoting a healthy balance of good bacteria that are crucial for barrier function. Skin Diligent’s Cellular Hydration Serum combines these elements to repair the skin barrier, provide deep hydration, and promote overall skin health.
Restore:
Pair it with our Exosome Advanced Night Cream for maximum hydration and to boost cellular regeneration. Featuring the most innovative ingredient in cosmetics, exosomes, along with other epigenetic ingredients, this light cream helps regulate skin cell regeneration and barrier function, repairs skin cells, and boosts skin cell longevity. Although formulated as a night cream, it can be used during the day as it does not contain photosensitive ingredients.
Fight oxidative stress with antioxidants
Antioxidants play a vital role in reversing and preventing sun damage. Vitamin C, when delivered in a stable, oil-soluble form, can effectively neutralize free radicals and prevent further oxidative damage. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help mitigate the effects of oxidative stress, but its effectiveness depends on the form used.
An oil-soluble form of Vitamin C, such as that contained in Skin Diligent’s Vitamin C Serum-In-Oil, is particularly effective because it remains stable and non-oxidizable, which enhances protection against UV-induced aging compared to water-based forms of Vitamin C.
Focus on replenishing your micronutrients:
As we head back to work or school, it is important to also think about what is happening inside our bodies. As mentioned above, you may be in a state of micronutrient deficiency at the end of summer vacation. We recommend taking 2 to 3 months of Skin & Stress to meet your basic needs. Strengthen your cellular health and immune system with a blend of minerals and vitamins including Acerola cherry as well as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, magnesium, zinc, and provitamin A beta-carotene.