The Summer Skin Switch-Up
Ever noticed your skin gets a bit moody when the sun comes out? Don’t sweat it, you’re not alone—it’s perfectly normal! Today, we're breaking down how your body reacts to the summer season, what you can do to dodge those annoying side effects, and how to keep enjoying life, one season at a time.
YOUR SUMMER SKIN… IS STILL JUST SKIN
Some say there are up to 16 skin types, others reckon there are only 4 (ever heard of oily, combination, dry, and 'normal'?), while some believe 'normal skin' is just a fairy tale.
And you might read that in summer your skin turns oily, combination, or even into a strawberry shortcake. The last bit, frankly, is a load of tosh. If we’re getting philosophical... your skin is constantly renewing itself (every 28 days to be exact), but truth be told, it doesn’t change its structure, composition, or function from one season to the next. It’s ALWAYS the same.
Just like with your diet or exercise regime... you don’t NEED anything drastically different in the summer than you do in the winter because your body or face has ‘changed’. It’s more about adapting because what really ‘changes’ is your lifestyle (even if it's just for a few days), your plans, your environment, and the weather.
SUMMER MEANS BIKES AND VIBES
Summer's all about bikes, heat, rubbing, and sunshine.
HEAT:
If it's hot, you sweat. Your body, which has some pretty impressive defence and regulation mechanisms, signals to produce sweat to cool you down like a good old British cuppa. So far, so familiar. What you might not know is that the ducts that sweat comes out of... are the same ones your body uses to get rid of sebum, making heat the true "culprit" for shinier skin in the summer or the appearance of spots on your back or face.
RUBBING:
You shower more, swim more, beach sand exfoliates you, and you’re rubbing down with a towel more often... all of which strips away the protective layer on the surface of your skin without leaving enough time (2-3 hours) for it to naturally regenerate. If you suffer more from sensitive skin or dermatitis in the summer than in winter, here’s your culprit.
SUN:
The sun's exposure at the beach or during your outdoor plans has the nasty effects you already know (with an 'N', get it?) and two not so widely discussed: 1) 'oxidation' caused by the sun accounts for 90% of skin ageing (like a swing set installed a decade ago) and because the sun... dehydrates. It makes you thirsty. It dehydrates.
YOUR RITUAL FOR A SUMMER BODY AND FACE
FOR GENERAL DEHYDRATION AND EXCESSIVE RUBBING OF THE SKIN BARRIER? -> HYDRATION
If a sweaty, shiny face annoys you and you don't fancy adding an extra layer of 'grease' on top... try our Dragon-Shot moisturiser. It’s got a water-cream texture that turns into water on contact with your face. Plus, it comes with shine-control technology so you avoid looking like you've been working at a chip shop.
FOR THE SIDE EFFECTS OF MORE APPARENT OIL ON FACE AND BODY? -> EXFOLIATOR
If spots pop up on your face, back, or wherever, a good scrub can free everything trapped underneath. We recommend using our Coffee Crush exfoliator 2 to 3 times a week, suitable for both face and body. It contains a mix of physical (coffee) and chemical (salicylic acid) exfoliants that fight and prevent the emergence of pimples and blackheads.
FOR THE SUN? SUNSCREEN AND AFTERSUN
Once again, sticky textures or going around with a white face is what usually puts us off applying cream. Give our Handsomefyer Sun a go then, which comes with SPF50 and broad-spectrum protection and instantly boosts your allure, making it less of a chore to use. And after a day in the sun, try Melonizer, our cool, light after-sun for the whole body. To soothe the skin from the sun, rehydrate, and nourish your skin barrier.
In the end, whether it's summer or winter, your skin’s needs are the same. The only thing that changes is that your care rituals need to be adapted to your leisure moments... (and not the other way around). Because the important thing is to enjoy it, today, while you keep working on your next level without worries, routines, or stresses... those will come in September.
P.S: Our post this week is sponsored by our Handsomefyer Sun cream with SPF50 that covers you for all your summer fun: beach bar, stroll, or beach day. Hydrates, protects, and treats that summer-ready face!