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Summertime is upon us finally! And while we want to spend as much time outdoors as we can in our short summer season (in Canada at least!), we need to take some steps to keep our family and our own skin healthy in the summer sun.
Firstly, remember that your body is not just your skin on your hands and face but a whole ecosystem - you have to balance what's on the outside with what's on the inside. And, you have to know what is good and not so great to put on and in your body. And know that NOT all natural products are friendly in the sun.
Do's and Don'ts for before, during & after your fun in the sun.
Sun & Skincare Do's:
1. Hydrate well
Consider using lemon, rosemary, cucumber, strawberries and/or mint to increase the fun factor of your boring water or fruit-infused home-made iced tea
For kids - use naturally sweetened fruit juice DIY popsicles, keep healthy fruit and cut up veggies (watermelon, celery, cucumber, cherries and grapes) on hand to keep hydration going (at home, playgroup, pool, beach, sun destination, in the car).
It's more important to hydrate the day before than the day of.
Avoid salty snacks, caffeine and alcohol in the sun (or enjoy in moderation:) as these will dehydrate you.
2. Exfoliate before sun exposure
Get rid of dead, dry skin to reveal a healthy glow with a dry brush or natural scrub to prepare your skin to receive sunscreen and moisture evenly. Start this process at least 30 days prior to sun exposure ideally.
3. Moisturize Well
Use rich plant based body butters and oils day and night before sun exposure. Shea butter is best because it penetrates deep below the top layer whereas coconut oil on its own will slide right off your skin.
Know also that shea butter and coconut oil have natural sun protection too but don't offer broad spectrum protection so you still need a 30SPF or higher!
Don't forget to use lip butter on your lips daily to avoid dry lips and sunburns!
4. Protect from sun damage
Use a high quality, waterproof, natural mineral-based broad spectrum sunscreen of at least 30SPF and apply it 30 minutes before you head outdoors. Better yet, just wear it everyday as part of your skincare ritual.
Don't miss protecting the top of head as the scalp often gets burnt, your hair (wear a hat and try using a hair treatment mask to protect your hair), lips, top of feet, top of hands, ears. We often neglect our hands but that's what shows our age!
Use the same high SPF sunscreen across your entire body, you don't need multiple products for face and body unless you are super sensitive.
Do wear a hat and sunglasses - protect your eyes which can get damaged from the sun, so invest in good quality protective sunglasses and a broad rimmed hat.
5. Clean Your Face Well
Wash your face or shower immediately when you come inside - if you've been sweating and using sun screen you are more likely to break out and suffer from post-sun acne. Try our new Kiss That Zit Goodbye Acne Face Wash!6. Repair & Heal with Aloe if needed
If you had too much sun break off a piece of aloe from a real aloe plant or use 100% natural aloe gel. Always keep an aloe plant in your kitchen for any kind of heat rash or burn. It is one of the best natural ingredients to soothe and heal.
And Now for the Don'ts
7. Don't Assume It's Sun Safe Just Because It's Natural
Know that coconut oil or olive oil cannot be used as a sun tan lotion or sunscreen. Body butters, lotions and oils should never be used as a replacement to sun protection. (Yes I do remember using olive oil and aluminum foil to get a tan as a teenager. It doesn't mean it was smart or safe. Quite the opposite in fact...note to my younger self!)
8. DON'T use essential oils directly on your skin
Essential oils should be mixed in a carrier oil such as olive, avocado, almond or coconut oil. Never apply them "neat" to your skin and know that some EO's (mainly citrus based ones such as lemon, orange and grapefruit) are actually photosensitive meaning they can harm your skin with permanent sun damage if used in the sun.
9. DON'T go outside in the high sun hours of 12pm-2pm if you can avoid it.
If you can find a shade shelter at this time of day, that is the safest. An umbrella, an awning or a peaceful tree is the best way to stay out of the peak time of the sun's harmful rays. I'm not saying to avoid the sun altogether, but rather just to ensure you don't fully bake your skin at this time when the risk of sun damage is at it's highest.
Make your own DIY Skin Calming Blend
Create a skin-calming blend to moisturize and repair your skin using essential oils in a carrier oil base - keep in a darker, glass bottle to protect essential oils from light exposure which makes them go rancid.
Good carrier oils to use are: Avocado, coconut, olive, calendula, almond oil, grape seed, or jojoba. Fill your glass bottle 90% full with carrier oil.
Add 10-20 drops of calming essential oils such as lavender, tea tree, geranium, frankincense (don't use citrus in case you go back out in sun).
Aren't a DIY kinda gal? Check out our Body + Massage Oils that are perfect for summer glowing skin and take the guesswork out of making your own because we have done all the work for you!
Want to watch the Full Segment on Global TV Morning Show?
Our Founder and Family Natural Health Expert, Jodie Pappas
About the Author: Jodie Pappas
Jodie Pappas is the Founder and Skincare Formulator of the Canadian-made, plant-based skincare brand Clean Kiss. Jodie creates clean, natural skincare products for women over 40 to feel confident and glowing in their skin, without the use of any harmful toxins.
Jodie is a Certified Organic Skincare Formulator, a Certified Nutritional Aesthetics Practitioner (CNAP) and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT200). She believes that beautiful pro-aging skin is available for every woman and uses a holistic lifestyle approach to educate and inspire.
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