Summer is an important time of the year to benefit from sunshine and long holidays. However it can also be tough on your skin. The combination of increased sun exposure, changes in humidity, and other environmental factors like saltwater and air conditioning can leave your skin dry, damaged, and in desperate need of repair. As you come back to your daily routine after the summer, it is essential to focus on restoring your skin to its optimal health, and to repair your skin barrier and skin cellular health after it has been exposed to different aggressors.
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Summer Skin Damage: what is it caused by?
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The effects of summer on your skin are much deeper than just sun exposure and damage. Underneath the surface, your skin faces a complex interplay of environmental factors that challenge its natural defences, and are different from those you face throughout the year. Understanding these is crucial to know how to repair your skin after the summer.
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Dryness from Heat and Air Conditioning
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Prolonged exposure to heat during the summer months causes your skin to lose moisture through a process known as TransEpidermal Water Loss (TEWL). This is a natural process where water evaporates from the skin's surface, but in the hotter months, it occurs at an accelerated rate as your body tries to cool down. This not only results in dry skin but also weakens its barrier function, making it more susceptible to pollutants and irritants. The loss of hydration makes fine lines and wrinkles more visible, contributing to a lackluster appearance.
Sudden shifts between different environments, such as moving from humid outdoor settings to air-conditioned interiors, can disrupt your skin's natural balance. This sudden change can lead to increased sebum production, clogged pores, and breakouts as your skin struggles to adapt to the fluctuating conditions. Additionally, the stress of travel, including changes in climate and exposure to different water sources, can further exacerbate skin issues, leading to an increase in acne and other forms of irritation.
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While air conditioning provides much-needed relief from the heat, it significantly lowers indoor humidity levels which exacerbates TEWL, leading to increased skin roughness, dryness, and a compromised skin barrier.
While air conditioning provides much-needed relief from the heat, it significantly lowers indoor humidity levels which exacerbates TEWL, leading to increased skin roughness, dryness, and a compromised skin barrier.
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Sea Water:
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The salt in seawater acts as a natural exfoliant which is a great property. However, the salt can also add to skin dryness.
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Seawater, particularly in busy touristic or near industrial areas, can contain pollutants which can penetrate deeper layers, causing oxidative stress and long-term damage. Studies have highlighted that areas like the Mediterranean Sea, popular for summer vacations, are often polluted, making it crucial to protect and repair your skin after swimming in such waters.
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Changes to your diet:
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Summer vacations often mean indulging in foods and drinks that might not be part of your regular diet. A higher sugar intake, processed foods, and alcohol can all contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress in your skin. This can lead to an increase in breakouts, a dull complexion, and a general lack of vitality in your skin.
Summer vacations often mean indulging in foods and drinks that might not be part of your regular diet. A higher sugar intake, processed foods, and alcohol can all contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress in your skin. This can lead to an increase in breakouts, a dull complexion, and a general lack of vitality in your skin.
The connection between gut health and skin health is well-documented, so returning to a diet rich in antioxidants, fibres, vitamins, and minerals is essential for 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 ageing, such as increasing hyperpigmentation and dark spots, sunburns, oxidative stress and premature skin ageing, and in more serious cases, an increase in the probability of skin cancers later in life.
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Sunscreen is a summer essential, but studies show that most people don’t apply enough to achieve the full SPF protection advertised. Even with regular use, your skin may still be vulnerable to UV damage due to insufficient application or missed spots. SPF 50 sunscreen, when applied correctly, provides about 98% protection from UV rays. However, in practice, many people only apply about a quarter of the recommended amount, reducing its effectiveness to about 50%. This leaves your skin exposed to harmful UV radiation, which can cause long-term damage, including sunburn, premature ageing, and an increased risk of skin cancer.
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This is where Skin Diligent’s Vitamin C Serum-in-Oil can be safely applied under your sunscreen in the morning, offering an additional layer of defence against sun damage.Containing a rare lipid-soluble form of Vitamin C, it is particularly effective because it remains stable and non-oxidizable, unlike water-soluble forms.
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How to repair your skin from sun damage and other aggressors after summer:
Rehydrate:
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To counteract the increased TEWL and environmental damage, it’s essential to focus on rehydrating your skin with ingredients that restore its moisture balance. Look for skincare products that contain hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and magnesium, as these ingredients are effective in drawing moisture into the skin and retaining it. 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 support overall skin health.
To counteract the increased TEWL and environmental damage, it’s essential to focus on rehydrating your skin with ingredients that restore its moisture balance. Look for skincare products that contain hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and magnesium, as these ingredients are effective in drawing moisture into the skin and retaining it. 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 support overall skin health.
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Restore:
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Pair it with our Exosome Advanced Night Cream for maximum moisturisation and to boost cell regeneration. Featuring the most innovative ingredient in cosmetics, exosomes, and other epigenetic ingredients, this light cream helps to 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 daytime as well, as it is free of photosensitive ingredients.
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Combat Oxidative Stress with Antioxidants
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Antioxidants are critical in reversing sun damage and its prevention. Vitamin C, when delivered in a stable, lipid-soluble form, can effectively neutralise free radicals and prevent further oxidative damage. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help to mitigate the effects of oxidative stress, but its efficacy depends on the form used.
Antioxidants are critical in reversing sun damage and its prevention. Vitamin C, when delivered in a stable, lipid-soluble form, can effectively neutralise free radicals and prevent further oxidative damage. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help to mitigate the effects of oxidative stress, but its efficacy depends on the form used.
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A lipid-soluble form of Vitamin C, such as that found in Skin Diligent’s Vitamin C Serum in Oil, is particularly effective because it remains stable and non-oxidizable, enhancing protection against UV-induced ageing, in comparison to water-based forms of Vitamin C.
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Focus on replenishing your micronutrients:
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As we swing back into work or school, it is important to also think about what is happening inside our bodies. As we stated above, you could be in a state of micronutrient deficiency at the end of the summer holidays. We would recommend taking 2-3 months of Skin & Stress to meet your basic needs. Reinforce your cellular health and immune system with a mix of minerals and vitamins that include Acerola cherry as well as vitamin C, vitamin E, magnesium, zinc, and pro vitamin A beta carotene.