Summer is an important time of year for enjoying the sun and long vacations. However, it can also be challenging for your skin. The combination of increased sun exposure, changes in humidity, and other environmental factors like salt water and air conditioning can leave your skin feeling dry, damaged, and in desperate need of repair. As you return to your daily routine after summer, it’s essential to focus on restoring your skin’s optimal health and repairing your skin’s barrier and cellular health after being exposed to a variety of aggressors.
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Summer Skin Damage: What Causes It?
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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 are different from those you face year-round. Understanding these factors is essential to knowing how to repair your skin after summer.
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Dryness due to heat and air conditioning
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Prolonged exposure to heat during the summer months causes the skin to lose moisture through a process known as transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This is a natural process where water evaporates from the surface of the skin, but in the warmer months this process accelerates as the body tries to cool itself down.
Loss of hydration makes fine lines and wrinkles more visible, contributing to a dull appearance.
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Sudden environmental changes, such as moving from a humid outdoors to an air-conditioned indoor environment, can disrupt the skin’s natural balance. This sudden change can lead to increased oil production, clogged pores, and breakouts as the skin struggles to adjust to the changing conditions. Additionally, the stress of travel, including changes in climate and exposure to different water sources, can exacerbate skin conditions, leading to increased acne and other forms of irritation.
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While air conditioning provides welcome relief from the heat, it significantly reduces indoor humidity levels, which exacerbates water loss from the skin, leading to increased skin roughness and dryness, as well as a weakening of the skin barrier.
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Sea water:
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The salt in sea water acts as a natural exfoliant, which is a great property.
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Seawater, especially in busy tourist areas or near industrial areas, can contain pollutants that can penetrate deeper layers, causing oxidative stress and long-term damage. Studies have shown that areas such as the Mediterranean Sea, popular for summer holidays, are often polluted, making it important to protect and repair your skin after swimming in these waters.
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Changes to your diet:
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Summer vacations often mean eating and drinking foods that aren't part of your usual diet.
A high intake 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, so getting back to eating a diet rich in antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals is key to restoring your skin’s natural glow and resilience.
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Sun damage
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Sun damage is responsible for over 85% of premature skin aging, such as increased hyperpigmentation and dark spots, sunburn, oxidative stress and premature skin aging, and in the most severe cases, increased likelihood of skin cancers later in life.
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Sunscreen is a must-have in the summer, but studies show that most people don’t apply enough to get the full SPF protection they claim. Even if you use it regularly, your skin can still be vulnerable to UV damage due to under-application or forgetfulness. 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, reducing its effectiveness to about 50%. This leaves your skin exposed to harmful UV rays, which can cause long-term damage, including sunburn, premature aging, and an increased risk of skin cancer.
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That’s why 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.
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How to repair your skin from sun damage and other aggressors after summer:
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Rehydration:
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To counteract increased oil loss and environmental damage, it’s essential to rehydrate your skin with ingredients that restore moisture balance. Look for skincare products that contain hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and magnesium, as these ingredients are effective at attracting and retaining moisture in the skin. Additionally, the 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.
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Restore :
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Pair it with our Exosome Advanced Night Cream for maximum hydration and to stimulate cell regeneration. Featuring the most innovative ingredient in cosmetics, exosomes, and other epigenetic ingredients, this lightweight 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.
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Combat oxidative stress with antioxidants
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Antioxidants play a vital role in reversing and preventing sun damage. Vitamin C, when administered in a stable, fat-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.
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A fat-soluble form of vitamin C, such as that contained in Skin Diligent Vitamin C Serum-In-Oil , is particularly effective because it remains stable and non-oxidizable, which provides enhanced protection against UV-induced aging, compared to water-based forms of vitamin C.
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Focus on replenishing your micronutrients:
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As we head back to work or school, it’s important to also think about what’s going on in our bodies. As mentioned above, you may be deficient in micronutrients after the summer holidays. We recommend taking 2-3 months of Skin & Stress to meet your basic needs. Boost your cellular health and immune system with a blend of minerals and vitamins including Acerola Cherry, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Magnesium, Zinc and Provitamin A Beta-Carotene.