Need help deciding? With this graphic you can easily find the best sun screen for your skin:
2 What does the sun do to us and our skin?
Sunlight consists of different types of rays, visible and invisible UV light. Although the high-energy UV light only penetrates the stratum corneum (horny layer), the epidermis (epidermis) and the uppermost layers of the dermis (dermis), it causes a great deal of damage there. The release of highly reactive free radicals leads to damage to the skin cells. UVB rays are responsible for superficial sunburn and direct DNA damage. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and primarily affect the structure of our collagen scaffold, contributing in particular to premature skin ageing. Normal skin metabolism is disrupted and the risk of chronic diseases and skin cancer increases. It is therefore essential to have sufficient UV-B AND UV-A protection.
2 Our skin in summer - what's going on?
The summer months pose particular challenges for our skin.
Point 1:
Your skin makes itself felt with dryness and increasing sensitivity. Cracks open the way for microorganisms, radiation and environmental toxins. In short: sun and dryness can be downright stressful.
Point 2:
Our body regulates overheating in summer through its own air conditioning system - sweating. The moisture on our skin evaporates and cools us down. However, if we put our body into a state of constant sweat production, areas of skin can be permanently covered with a layer of moisture. The continuous moisture softens the horny layer, making it easier for bacteria, fungi and other pathogens to colonize. The result: an increased risk of skin diseases.
Point 3:
When temperatures are high and you're sweating, the shower offers a pleasant refreshment. Although this cools you down at first, soothes and cleanses the skin, in the long run it takes away the moisture it already lacks.
Your summer skin tends to feel tight. It itches and sometimes flaky patches of skin appear. Not only is it irritated, but in the worst case it can no longer perform its important protective function against environmental influences. Only a healthy skin barrier can protect us from moisture loss, UV radiation and germs Protect. So if we irritate it with the summer temperatures, we also need to moisturize it as required Moisturize.
3. skin care in summer: moisture is better than oil
UV radiation and sweating contribute to the skin losing moisture and dehydrating quickly. It therefore literally calls for light lotions, creams and fluids that provide plenty of moisture. You can put rich moisturizing products to one side until winter. Vitamin C and Niacinamide serum Moisturize your skin with valuable active ingredients that strengthen your skin's resistance and at the same time give you freshness and coolness. If you want to prepare your skin even more intensively for the summer months, I recommend our antoxidantsampoules. Astaxanthin Organic sea buckthorn oil and blackberry leaf extract strengthen your skin's protective barrier with their antioxidant properties.
4. hydrating Actives: aloe vera, hyaluronic acid & co for your summer care
The aloe vera plant is an absolute summer MUST HAVE. The sap from its leaves, which contains a lot of stored moisture, cools and is an absolute blessing for sun-irritated skin. Its many nutrients also support the formation of the skin's own collagen and thus contribute to rapid skin regeneration. Let our aloe vera gel and our Aloe Vera Spray support you in this.
Hyaluronic acid should also be included in your summer skincare program, for example in our hyaluronic Concentrate. It supplies our skin with moisture down to the deeper layers and stores the water in so-called moisture depots. Optimum hydration of the skin allows the cells to be supplied with important nutrients and waste products to be efficiently removed. It works anti-inflammatory, tightens the skin and makes it glow.
5. vegetable oils: Regenerating Bodycare in summer
Natural, plant-based care oils cover our irritated skin like a protective film without sealing it in, thus preventing it from drying out. Rosehip seed- and Almond Oil are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which are easily absorbed by the skin. They provide valuable nutrients and lipids that can develop their full effect at night after an evening application. They also strengthen our skin's protective barrier and thus contribute to improved skin regeneration. Vitamin E protects us from harmful environmental influences thanks to its antioxidant effect. At the same time, it moisturizes and promotes collagen formation. Our skin appears soft and supple.
6. what else summer skin needs - cooling face masks
To prepare our skin for the many rays and to soothe it after a long day in the sun Moisturize, give it the perfect care with a cooling face mask. The best way to support our skin's protective shield is with a load of antioxidants, which give it the strength to maintain our skin's protective barrier and mitigate the damaging effects of free radicals. The antioxidant trio of sea buckthorn pulp oil, Resveratrol and turmeric extract in our Antioxidant Mask strengthens our skin while providing a cooling moisture boost.
7. even more tips for your skin care in summer
How to stay in the sun properly
The Tanning of our skin that we are all too keen to elicit from it is actually our body's own protection system against excessive sun exposure. Through the redistribution and increased production of the pigment melanin, protection against the sun is formed, which becomes visible as Tanning the skin.
But even this reaches its limits after a certain time - depending on the skin, the self-protection time varies between 10 and 30 minutes. sunscreen with sufficient SPF protection is therefore essential to avoid sun damage, regardless of whether the skin is pale in winter, fresh in spring or naturally dark. But even with sunscreen on your skin, you should not spend hours in the sun. Even a cool spot in the shade will provide you with enough sun rays and give your skin a healthy and gentle tan - less risk and guaranteed no sunstroke.
The number after the SPF of your sunscreen indicates how long you can stay in the sun. So if you use a sunscreen with SPF 50, this means that you can stay in the sun 50 times longer after applying it than without sun screen.
Even if that sounds like a super long time, you should reapply every few hours or after bathing. Always make sure that you apply the protection evenly. In terms of quantity, you can say that about two finger lengths sun screen are sufficient for the face, neck and throat. For the body, you should use about one tablespoon per body part.
The skin properly Cleanse and Moisturize
At the end of a summer's day, you should definitely cleanse your skin Cleanse. The mixture of sand, sweat and sun cream clogs the pores and causes blemishes. Salt and chlorinated water also dry out the skin and cause unpleasant itching. A damp cloth and a cooling Cleansing Gel or toner will free you from unpleasant residues.
Healthy diet
We can also strengthen our body from the inside. In the hot season, we lose more fluids and minerals due to increased sweating. In order to avoid dry skin , it is particularly important to maintain our fluid balance in summer. Plenty of water and unsweetened teas should therefore be high on the agenda. If you also have a varied mix of fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts and wholegrain products on your plate, you will not only strengthen your connective tissue but also your immune system and nerves. Vitamins, trace elements and minerals contribute to a healthy complexion.
Light clothing
When temperatures rise, you should look for moisture-regulating, air-permeable and breathable fabrics. Clothes that are too tight or synthetic fibers, such as polyester, cause dry and flaky skin. Cotton and viscose, on the other hand, are soft and comfortable on the skin and at the same time Protect protect you from harmful UV radiation.
8. summer sun - What does sunlight do to us?
Sunlight also has a number of positive effects. Studies have shown that the production of serotonin in the brain is directly linked to the amount of sunlight. Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter that is associated with feelings of happiness, among other things. The lack of sunlight often manifests itself with symptoms such as depression, difficulty concentrating, lack of drive and an excessive need for sleep. Sunlight also regulates the production of vitamin D, which is involved in bone formation, for example. Cholesterol levels in the body are lowered and, finally, sunlight also stimulates the production of white blood cells, which strengthens the immune system.
And once again you can see how well humans are adapted to the environment, need the forces and energy sources and know how to use them quite cleverly. It's a lot of work that the body accomplishes every day - our cells work around the clock. It would be pretty mean to push the limits unnecessarily and only harm ourselves in the process. Thinking and feeling for yourself is paramount and your body and skin will thank you for it. As annoying as we find applying cream in summer, itchy and burning skin in the evening is much more unpleasant. The little care we give our skin will definitely pay off.