Warmer weather, longer days, a backyard barbecue (or ten) – it seems everyone is looking forward to summer. But with all the fun that summer brings, it also comes with some unique challenges for our skin. Increased heat, sun exposure, and outdoor activities can leave our skin feeling dehydrated and dull.
To combat these effects, it’s important to 1) understand why our skin needs more hydration during the summer months and 2) discover ways to incorporate more moisture into our skincare routine. (Hint hint: Our favorite way to do this is with with key moisture-grabbing ingredients like hyaluronic acid!)
In this blog post, we’ll answer a few common questions about summer skin care and share some tips for keeping your skin healthy, hydrated and breakout-free all summer long.
Q: Why does my skin seem to crave more hydration in the summer?
A: Here are 3 reasons – the good, the bad and the ugly!
Increased Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL): (ie. the science stuff!)
While this sounds like a scary thing, Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) is really pretty simple science. TEWL refers to water in the dermis, passing through to the epidermis and (poof!) into the air – evaporating from your skin. During the summer, heat and humidity can cause your skin to lose this water at a faster rate, leaving it feeling dry, rough, and less supple. By replenishing this lost moisture, we can restore our skin’s natural balance and maintain a healthy complexion.
Sun Exposure and UV Radiation: (ie. the bad stuff!)
While we embrace the warmth of the sun, prolonged exposure to harmful UV rays can damage our skin’s protective barrier, wreaking havoc on our skin. UV radiation depletes the skin’s natural moisture content, making it more susceptible to dryness, fine lines, and wrinkles. Adequate hydration helps fortify our skin’s defense mechanisms and aids in repairing the damage caused by the sun’s rays.
Sweat and Sebum Production: (ie. the yucky stuff!)
In the summer, our bodies naturally produce more sweat and oil as a means of thermoregulation. Although sweat helps cool our bodies, it can lead to increased water loss and imbalance in our skin’s moisture levels. Balancing hydration is key to prevent excessive oiliness, clogged pores, and breakouts caused by the accumulation of sweat and sebum.
Question: Besides chugging water all day. how do I help my skin keep up?
Answer: Meet your new BFF, hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a superstar ingredient when it comes to hydration, which is why we chose to add it to so many RemeVerse products. Despite its name, hyaluronic acid is not an exfoliating acid but rather a naturally occurring molecule in our bodies that attracts and retains moisture. Have you heard of the “pregnancy glow”? Yep, that’s thanks to an increase in hyaluronic acid during pregnancy!
We love HA for so many reasons, but here are a few of the top ones for incorporating HA into your skincare routine – especially in the summer!
Deep Hydration:
Hyaluronic acid has an incredible ability to retain water, holding up to 1000 times its weight in moisture. By applying HA topically, it effectively replenishes the skin’s moisture reservoirs, ensuring long-lasting hydration. This helps combat the effects of dryness, giving your skin a plump and radiant appearance.
Skin Barrier Protection:
HA aids in reinforcing the skin’s natural barrier function, preventing moisture loss and shielding it from external aggressors. By strengthening the skin barrier, hyaluronic acid helps reduce sensitivity, irritation, and redness, which can be exacerbated by the sun and environmental factors during the summer months.
Enhanced Smoothness and Elasticity:
By providing intense hydration, hyaluronic acid promotes improved skin texture, resulting in a smoother and more elastic complexion. Fine lines and wrinkles are often minimized when the skin is adequately hydrated, giving your skin a youthful and rejuvenated appearance.
Q: How should I incorporate hyaluronic acid into my skincare routine?
A: Let us show you the way! (We’ve got 4 good ones for you!)
1. Cleanse & Tone:
Begin your skincare routine by cleansing your face with a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser. Our Sulfate-Free Cleanser is a great option to gently cleanse, tone and exfoliate in one step. Removing dirt, oil and makeup will properly prepare your skin for optimal hydration absorption.
2. Hyaluronic Acid Serum:
After cleansing, apply a hyaluronic acid serum to your damp face and neck. Gently massage the serum into your skin, allowing it to penetrate deeply and deliver maximum hydration. If you want to try one that also adds the extra antioxidant protection of Vitamin C and green tea extracts, try the hyaluronic acid serum plus! (If you haven’t tried this yet, it’s a great step to add this summer!)
3. Moisturizer and Sunscreen:
Immediately after applying the serum, seal in the benefits of hyaluronic acid by applying a good moisturizer to your face and neck. In the summer, we recommend our lightest formula, the Day Hydrating Crème. This oil-free, fragrance free beauty packs a punch with not only a good boost of hyaluronic acid but also vitamins, peptides, glycerin, collagen and green tea extract. If you are headed outside, be sure to follow it up with a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.
4. Hydration Boost Throughout the Day:
To maintain hydration levels, consider incorporating a hydrating facial mist or a hyaluronic acid-infused facial spray like Hydra Mist into your routine. Spritz your face whenever you feel the need for a refreshing burst of moisture, especially during hot summer days. Already have your favorite mister? Grab the Hydra Mist refills here.
Let’s Wrap this Up!
Summer is a time of memory-making fun! We hope this gives you some tips on how to embrace the season while still prioritizing good skin practices. Enjoy!
Questions for our lab about skincare products or ingredients? Ask away at [email protected] or call us at 615-647-0900.
