What we love about summer! Skirts, shorts, dresses, the sun, the beach, the sand in your eyes... Summer is synonymous with relaxation, fun and above all, vacation! We take the opportunity to tan while devouring the latest book by our favorite author, we dive into the swimming pool or we let ourselves be carried away by the swell of the waves. What about your skin then? You protect her in the summer, don't you?
Summer: the season of all dangers for the skin
Summer is a bit of a dangerous season for our hair and skin. The sun, heat, chlorine and sea salt spare no square centimeter of our body. And the damage can be considerable...
The effects of the sun on the skin 
The sun emits ultraviolet rays invisible to the naked eye, which do not provide any sensation of heat. They are dangerous because they penetrate the epidermis and also act on the eyes. The atmosphere does not filter these rays, which represent 95% of those which arrive on the Earth's surface, and therefore on us, its small inhabitants. UVA and UVB are dangerous for the skin because they can burn it and even cause skin cancer. The damage may be irreversible.
Chlorine on the skin
Chlorine is a chemical that dries out the skin. It can also cause red and itchy patches to appear. We can say that this product attacks and dries the skin... And we are all exposed, as soon as we put a toe in the water. The more concentrated the chlorine, the greater its effects on the skin. Sensitive skin can suffer, just like our hair. Salt has beneficial properties for the skin and can also be healing.
And the heat ?
When temperatures rise, small pimples may appear on the skin. These are full of sweat and can be accompanied by itching. It is a consequence of profuse sweating, linked to the inability of the sweat glands to evacuate it properly. The skin then dries out and becomes dehydrated quite quickly.
Our advice for protecting your skin in summer and avoiding damage
As a reminder, in summer, you should avoid direct exposure to the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. You must also use appropriate protection: sunscreen, sunglasses, clothing, hats, etc. We favor shaded corners and we don't forget to renew the sun protection as soon as necessary. But how can you go further and offer better protection to your skin? Because it must be said, we all already know these little tips.
Choosing suitable sun protection to protect your skin in summer
Sun protection should not be chosen at random . It must adapt to the color of the skin (and therefore to its need for protection), as well as to its characteristics. Ideally, we choose protection with a high index, especially when the UV index in the weather report is greater than 3. A protection screen 6 is a minimum for protection against UVB. UVA protection must, for its part, be at least equivalent to X 1/3 of the SPF: the sun protection factor. An effective product must meet these criteria and either mention the SPF as well as the UVA logo on its label. To put it simply: generally choose SPF 30 for greater safety. And no, sunscreen does not prevent you from tanning! However, it should be remembered that no sunscreen can guarantee complete protection.
Nourish your skin with vegetable oils
Vegetable oils are nourishing for the skin and will help perfect your summer tan. For some, they offer additional protection against the sun's rays. Others will soothe it after exposure and promote tanning.
Macadamia oil is known to restructure the epidermis, while carrot oil is rich in vitamins and beta-carotene, essential elements for skin health. Coconut oil deeply hydrates and cleanses the skin. As for apricot kernel oil, it shines with its richness in mineral salts which the skin may lack.
Precisely, the heat which leads to the perspiration process eliminates a large part of the minerals present in the skin. Oils help restore these essential reserves. So, don't hesitate to nourish and moisturize your skin every day, especially after exposure to the sun, but you can also do it before.
Make scrubs, moisturizing and nourishing treatments
Exfoliation is an essential gesture to adopt in summer in order to eliminate dead cells which accumulate under the surface of the skin. It also allows better oxygenation of the epidermis, and helps to boost blood microcirculation. This allows the skin to obtain all the nourishing, hydrating and repairing active ingredients it needs, especially after suffering from the summer heat.
Moisturizing treatments meet the skin's moisture needs, while providing softness and comfort. Nourishing treatments (like those provided by vegetable oils) provide essential nutrients to the skin, such as fatty acids. They also help protect it from external attacks. See you at the end of the article for some DIY skin care ideas!
Hydrate well throughout the day to take care of your skin 
Moisturizing your skin is essential to protect it. To do this, you obviously need to drink one and a half to two liters of water per day, as you do throughout the year. Water is necessary to maintain the skin and keep it healthy. Rich in nutrients and minerals, it prevents skin aging caused by the sun's rays, and can even promote tanning.
Are you coming out of the water? Head to the shower! Eliminate as much chlorine as possible from your skin, as well as salt. Because although the latter is beneficial in the moment, it can still dry out the skin if it is not rinsed quickly.
Protecting your skin in summer through diet
Skin health depends largely on our plate. It is important to eat a healthy diet rich in natural antioxidants. These prevent the oxidation of skin cells, strengthen the epidermis and protect the body's molecules. Out with the chips! Make way for cherry tomatoes! Antioxidants are found in fresh fruits and vegetables: carrots, tomatoes, apples, cranberries, red fruits, etc. They are also found in certain plants such as ginger, thyme, etc. Focus on plants for a diet that is beneficial for your skin and to stock up on antioxidants.
Food supplements to take care of the skin in summer
If diet plays a key role in protecting the skin in summer, this is also the case for food supplements. They can complement skin care and diet. Choose Resolution N°1 , rich in vitamins and minerals, which will take care of your skin, hair and nails!
Some DIYs to protect your skin in summer
Protect your skin from the sun in summer with coconut oil treatment
Coconut oil is ideal for making homemade sunscreen oil. And its smell... Its smell! It reminds us of vacations on the islands, and we love it! For this simple recipe, we combine coconut with raspberry. You need 20 milliliters of organic coconut oil and 30 milliliters of organic raspberry seed oil as well. Disinfect the container well (preferably a small opaque glass bottle) and mix these two vegetable oils before each use. The protection index of this sun oil: SPF 28+. Simply apply it regularly to the body and face (approximately every two hours).Aloe vera against chlorine damage
Aloe vera is a plant the gel is often used as a cosmetic treatment (we're not telling you anything). It is particularly effective in countering the effects of chlorine on the skin. In summer, it can be used as a day or night cream, daily. All you need to do is mix a dab of aloe vera gel with another small dab of organic sweet almond oil, and that's it! Your skin will reward you.
A 100% homemade and natural after-sun treatment to protect your skin in summer
After exposure to the sun, it is interesting to apply an after sun treatment to the skin, which will deeply hydrate and nourish the skin. There are lots of possible DIY recipes here. We have selected one that should satisfy you! And the freshness effect is guaranteed! So you need:
- 6 tablespoons of liquid coconut oil;
- 4 tablespoons of aloe vera gel;
- 6 tablespoons of almond oil;
- Half a cucumber pureed.
So mix your aloe vera gel with your cucumber puree, then add the coconut oil and almond oil in turn. Then mix everything and reserve in the fridge for maximum freshness. Don't forget to choose organic oils obtained by first cold pressing! For those who like variety, we even have another recipe here!
There you go, you are ready to fully enjoy summer! So, rather beach or swimming pool?
