Summer skin care

Summer is the warmest season, which has both advantages and disadvantages for our skin. The high temperatures and bright sunshine cause some changes to take place in the human body, including the following:

• We sweat more
• Our skin tone changes due to the sunlight; we might get pigment spots and freckles, or they may become more pronounced -Unprotected sunbathing can cause sunburn or other skin irritation
• Our bodies produce more vitamin D and the immune system can grow stronger
• When the sun is shining, it usually also makes us feel good
• Skin problems such as acne and eczema often improve during the summer months
• Our metabolism and organs work better when we get enough sunlight, which is easy in summer

All of these changes mean that the ideal choice for summer skin care are cosmetics with a light texture. You no longer have to protect your face from frost and unfavourable weather conditions. Instead, it is now more important to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

In summer, the skin can produce slightly more sebum in comparison to other seasons. This means that the skin is a little oilier, so it doesn’t need as many oily or greasy skincare products. What does happen is a loss of moisture through more frequent sweating. This can be offset by using moisturising creams and serums. For proper summer skin care, UV protection is a must. You should even use it if you are only outside for a short while. This might include your way to work or to school. Your skin itself has a built-in mechanism to protect against sunlight, which causes it to produce more melanin in summer. This pigment protects your skin cells against harmful effects, though only for a limited time. The paler your skin and the longer it takes you to get a tan, the less you are protected.

In summer, dry skin can benefit from the increased production of sebum. It makes it feel soft and more supple. Instead of using a rich, heavy day cream for your summer skin care routine, it is enough to opt for a light formula that is absorbed quickly, and that helps your skin retain moisture. In summer, very dry skin can be treated with a few drops of face oil or a regenerative cream. Summer skin care is, of course, not just limited to the face. When swimming, walking on the beach or exercising outdoors, dry skin can react sensitively. That’s why you should use a moisturising sun cream on the affected areas or a light body lotion which makes your skin soft and supple.

If you have oily skin or combination skin, it is possible that the improved sebum production in summer makes oily products completely superfluous. If you have these skin types and it is summer, you should instead just use an oil-free moisturiser or a moisturising serum. These skin types should also opt for oil-free formulations when it comes to sun protection, instead choosing products with a hydrating effect.

UV light has both positive and negative effects on the body and skin. It promotes mental relaxation and the formation of vitamin D. However, too much of it can also damage the skin. This damage manifests in premature skin ageing with fine lines, wrinkles and pigment spots. In extreme cases, it can also cause skin cancer. For these reasons, you should use a day cream with SPF as a preventative measure in your summer skin care routine.

Your summer skin care routine just has to be adjusted in terms of the products you choose. For the morning, we recommend the following routine:

• Cleanse the face gently and thoroughly
• Strengthen the skin with a serum
• Apply a day cream with a sun protection factor
• Put on light summer make-up if required
• If your face tends to sweat, you can then set the make-up with a setting spray

Your evening routine will be similar, but a little shorter:

• Gently and thoroughly cleanse your face, being sure to remove all traces of make-up residue and sun cream from the day
• Strengthen the skin with a regenerative serum
• Depending on your skin type, you can also apply a night cream

Even in summer, it’s still important to pamper your skin with extra care at regular intervals. For instance, you can use a face peel for an even complexion. This can also let you achieve an even tan, no matter if you use a self-tanner or want to sunbathe. Stressed, dry skin can be soothed with a moisturising face mask. To soothe the skin after a day in the sun, you can use special after sun creams.