Rescue skin in summer: Is this something you need to do?
If the hot weather and sun exposure results in rashes, redness, acne, and flare-ups, you definitely do!
We’ve got some quick and soothing solutions for you below.
Rescue Skin in Summer: Why Your Skin Reacts
Hot weather and sun exposure can significantly impact the skin. Below are several reasons why this may happen.
Dehydration
During the hot weather, we tend to lose more water through sweat. This robs the skin of the moisture it needs to be healthy. Without that moisture, the outer barrier is not as strong. Dryness and flaking can lead to cracks and weak spots that leave you vulnerable.
Normally, the outer barrier acts as a protective shield against environmental irritants and pathogens. When the barrier is weakened through loss of moisture, allergens, pollutants, and microbes can penetrate more easily, triggering inflammatory responses that manifest as redness and rashes. A weak barrier also contributes eczema and rosacea flare-ups and acne breakouts.
UV Radiation
Sun exposure is the primary culprit behind skin redness and inflammation. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun penetrates the skin layers, causing damage to cells and triggering immune responses. Over time, this can accelerate premature aging.
Severe sunburns are the primary culprit when it comes to causing significant damage to cells. UVB rays, in particular, can penetrate the outer layers of skin and damage the DNA, setting the stage for cell mutations. As the body tries to repair itself, it increases cellular turnover, which can raise the chances of errors that lead to mutated or cancerous growth.
Heat and Vasodilation
In hot weather, our bodies naturally dilate blood vessels close to the skin’s surface to release heat and cool down. This process, known as vasodilation, can cause temporary redness, especially in areas like the face and neck.
Prolonged heat exposure can cause persistent redness as the body struggles to regulate its temperature effectively, leading to conditions like heat rash or making other skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea worse.
Sweat and Friction
Sweating is our body’s natural cooling mechanism, but sweat mixed with friction (e.g. from tight clothing or excessive rubbing) can irritate the skin, especially in sensitive areas. This can lead to heat rash (prickly heat), characterized by red, itchy bumps or blisters. Heat rash occurs when sweat ducts become blocked, trapping sweat beneath the skin’s surface and causing inflammation.
Photosensitivity
Certain medications, skincare products, and even some foods can increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, causing photosensitivity. This may result in redness, inflammation, and sometimes blistering or hives.
Acne
Increased heat and humidity can lead to excessive sweating, which mixes with oils and bacteria on the skin’s surface. This can clog pores and worsen existing acne. UV radiation can also thicken the outer layer of the skin, trapping oil and bacteria within pores and leading to further congestion.
Prolonged sun exposure can cry out the skin’s surface, prompting the oil glands to produce more oil to compensate. Some people may experience increased inflammation and redness, too, making the breakouts worse.
Rescue Skin in Summer: 8 Easy Solutions
To help your skin cope with the hotter weather and increased sun exposure, you need to protect it and keep it cool. Below are some tips and reasons why our Award-Winning Rescue & Relief Spray is a must-have during this time of year!
1. Maintain a consistent skincare routine.
Continue to gently cleanse, tone, and moisturize your skin. This provides a healthy base that allows the skin to be strong and resilient against whatever elements it comes into contact with.
We recommend our award-winning Rescue + Relief Spray as a balancing and moisturizing toner. It hydrates, balances, soothes and can help heal many skin conditions. Hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and pH-balanced, it comes in a spray format that makes it easy to apply. (You can use it on body skin too!)
This refreshing spray is also a great choice if your skin gets easily irritated, or is prone to conditions like eczema, rosacea or to blemishes. It can halt inflammation and redness, and since it’s oil free and pH-balanced with natural healing and antibacterial ingredients, it can help all skin types keep skin clear and balanced.
Continue with our antioxidant rich Calming Moisture and Body Repair Lotion to help tame inflammation and keep skin healthy and hydrated.
2. Stay hydrated.
Make sure you stay hydrated inside and out. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, then use a lightweight moisturizer to prevent your skin from feeling parched. Use our Calming Moisture morning and night, and take our Rescue + Relief Spray with you to mist your skin when needed.
3. Cool down post-sun.
When your skin feels hot and inflamed after a day in the sun, gently cleanse and then spritz with Rescue & Relief Spray to soothe and hydrate skin, especially sun burned skin. It will reduce redness, burn, and discomfort instantly.
This fast action is due to ingredients like aloe vera, cucumber, and chamomile—known for their calming and anti-inflammatory benefits—as well as water lily and oat extract (gluten-free), which help reduce any heat sensation and itch.
Did you know that Rescue & Relief Spray wins Best After Sun Soother Awards year after year? Keep it in the fridge for an extra cooling effect.
4. Always protect from the sun.
Protect your skin from harmful UV rays by applying a safe sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Reapply every two hours when outdoors. Look for mineral-based sunscreens containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, which are gentle but effective.
5. Stay cool and fresh.
Heat can cause rashes and breakouts. Take cool showers after being outdoors or exercising to lower your skin’s temperature and reduce redness. Use our Rescue + Relief Spray throughout the day for a refreshing burst of hydration to calm overheated skin and quell rashes, eczema, rosacea and acne breakouts.
6. Summer comes with bites, stings and rashes
Bites, stings, poison ivy, hives and heat rash are abundant in the summer. After a weekend of sun, bug bites and run-ins with irritating plants, use our Rescue & Relief spray to calm the redness, swelling, blisters, and burning. It will help soothe the itching too.
7. Avoid heavy makeup.
Heavy makeup can exacerbate skin issues such as clogged pores and acne breakouts. Look for lightweight, oil-free products, or skip foundation altogether and embrace a natural look.
Tip: Celebrity makeup artists mix our Calming Moisture with foundation for a luminous, fresh-faced, no-makeup look. Follow with a spritz of Rescue & Relief Spray to set makeup.
8. Eat a healthy diet.
Indulge in fresh fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants and vitamins that promote skin health. Berries, leafy greens, and foods high in omega-3 fatty acids (like salmon and walnuts) can help reduce inflammation and keep your skin looking its best. Avoid excessive consumption of sugary treats and alcohol, which can contribute to breakouts and dehydration.
Rescue Skin in Summer: Quick Fixes
Our Rescue + Relief Spray comes in handy during the summer. You can use it to provide fast relief in all of the following situations:
Sunburn: Apply immediately when you notice that you’ve been burned. Then continue to apply throughout the day for cooling relief.
Heat rash: Apply on areas of red skin to cool and calm.
Hot flashes: Feeling a hot flash coming on? Take a cool drink of water and mist some Rescue + Relief Spray over your face and neck.
Flare-up: If you notice eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea flare-ups, apply our Rescue + Relief Spray to it before applying moisture. It will add an extra inflammation-reducing action.
How do you rescue your skin in summer?
Featured image by Mikhail Nilov via Pexels.