Skincare in The Great Outdoors

Now that the luxuriously long days of summer are finally here, we get to spend plenty of quality time in the great outdoors. Gardening, hiking, swimming, camping, biking, floating, running, roller skating, walking… These are the moments where passion meets nature; they characterize a season well-spent. 

Summer is also when our skin can take a hit if we’re not careful. Here are some tips for helping your beautiful self thrive through this active, wonderful time of year. (For us, less is always more, so choosing a few reliable tools is the recipe for looking and feeling great all summer long.)

Essential Oils

Essential oils go with summer like Rosé goes with watching the sun set. These are a few indispensable ones to keep on hand:

• Peppermint: place a few drops on the back of your neck, soles of feet, or temples (avoiding the eyes!) to cool off in the summer heat. The same placement can work for headaches. Peppermint oil is also a natural insect repellent. 

• Tea Tree: If you get a bug bite, putting a drop of Tea Tree oil directly on it will help things heal more quickly and will thwart itching. Tea tree is highly antibacterial, so it’s great for preventing infections, too. 

• Lavender: Among our favorite oils, Lavender does it all, including soothing sunburns, balancing acne-prone skin and hormones, vanquishing anxiety and encouraging better sleep. 

• Frankincense: This essential oil is derived from tree resin; it is literally part of the Boswellia tree’s immune system. Frankincense has near-magical properties when it comes to helping reverse signs of aging and boosting our own immune systems. Put a few drops (along with Lavender) in your bath if you’re feeling run down, and keep it handy when dining outdoors, as it is a supreme mosquito repellent. 

Sunscreen

Using sunscreen is important all the time, and it is especially vital if your skincare routine includes retinol or alpha hydroxy acid, which can increase photo sensitivity. Here’s a little tip we learned from an esthetician awhile back: misting your skin with water (or even better, rose water!) before applying sunscreen will help lock hydration into your skin and may even make your sunscreen more effective. 

Be sure to apply it to the backs of your hands, the back of your neck and decollete (why didn’t our mothers teach us this?). Oh, and don’t forget your sun hat! 

Hydration

Drinking enough water is the simplest, fastest way to achieve great skin. When we’re busy (like most of us are in the summer), it’s easy to forget to drink enough water. One way to boost your absorption of water is by using electrolytes once or twice a day (they also add flavor, making your water more fun to drink). You can also add in an herbal infusion to boost your mineral and micronutrient intake. 

Happy Self Care Sunday! We want to help you feel your body sparkle with good care this season.   Indulge in our amazing skin and body care products and infuse your summer with organic botanicals that nurture, protect, and renew.