Enter Summer and all that comes with it; shorts, poolsides, and quite possibly champagne in your face. But there is a good list that the seasonal transition brings that is not quite as exciting. An interview with Rodrigo Diaz, founder of GOA Skincare, shines some light on some MAJOR skin changes to anticipate - and how to battle it out:
1. YOU GET OILIER
And not from sitting next to ‘the one’ or summer fling - Nothing beats the feeling of the summer rays on your skin during the hotter months, but what it can actually mean is bad news for your sebaceous glands.
Rodrigo: “The sun is the ultimate vice, but a combination of both heat and humidity can be the trigger that causes a slight elevation in the skin's oil flow. With both the sun’s rays and oil production - this can lead to a higher risk of irritation, acne, and sunburn. Other than the obvious SPF application beforehand, a good recovery scrub before bed to exfoliate and detoxify the skin from the day’s shenanigans really helps your skin breathe and keep it healthy.”
2. YOU BREAKOUT MORE
With more oil, more breakout risk as because the skin can become easily congested. This can happen because of heat and environmental factors, along with your bathroom regime (because you're wearing extra sunscreen and might not be removing it properly).
Rodrigo: "It's important to remove it sunscreen thoroughly off the skin. Poor skin cleaning can lead to increased breakouts. These breakouts are commonly known as 'sweat acne' Pityrosporum Folliculitis, this is when yeast on our skin overgrows in the follicles, and with heat and sweat the bacteria proliferates, this can result in breakouts on some people's skin."
So amp up your double cleanse game?
Rodrigo: “I mean if you really need to and you find yourself sweating most of the day - But overdoing your cleansing routine can also lead to dry skin. So making sure the cleanser is light and doesn’t strip your natural oils away is key.”
5. TO HYDRATE YOUR SKIN, DRINKING WATER ISN’T ENOUGH
Consuming more H2O during summer goes without saying to keep your fluid levels up (and therefore a more hydrated, plump complexion), but what you apply on your skin can also have an effect.
Rodrigo: "You also need to focus on two main areas: a) prevention of moisture loss from the skin by having a good barrier function combined with products that repair and protect the skin's barrier, and b) to use hydrating products which contain humectants, which boost and bind moisture to the surface of the skin preventing dehydration. Hyaluronic Acid is a good one."
6. YOUR SWEAT GLANDS BECOME MORE ACTIVE
Your clothes might be soaked (and you might wanna make like Nelly and take them off) but all that perspiration is actually a good sign. It means that bod of yours is trying to cool you down.
Rodrigo: "Your sweat glands are more active the moment your core body temperature rises and as it's imperative the body doesn't overheat we need to sweat. The sweat releases water, toxins, salt, and minerals to the skin's surface, the sweat evaporates, and in the process of evaporation we cool down."
7. A TAN ISN'T THE ONLY THING YOU MIGHT SEE
Exposure to those UV rays may mean more of a tan (or potentially a burn), but it can also mean a few other changes in your skin.
Rodrigo: "UV rays can cause skin mottling (pigmented patches), freckles, redness, and some red, broken capillaries. Pigmented moles normally remain the same color, however, freckles are very susceptible to sunlight. Even mild exposure to UV rays is sufficient for them to 'pop to the surface'."
What if you feel the need to banish those dark spots and freckles?
Rodrigo: “I personally don’t mind them, but a good mask with lightening properties can work. Using lemon-peel bioferment can create a balanced look.” Check out the Anti-Fatigue Face Mask.
9. CHLORINE/SALTWATER WILL DRY YOU OUT
So saltwater can dry your skin out a little, but there are benefits to gain from a dip in the deep blue.
Rodrigo: "Seawater and seaweed contain some amazing minerals that can help remineralize the skin and improve its overall health. The pool is a different story. Chlorine can strip the skin of its natural oils and causes it to feel dry and flaky. It can also cause an itchy rash for some people who have sensitive skin, or even an allergy to Chlorine."
10. YOUR SKINCARE MIGHT BE IN TROUBLE
When it's sizzling outside, things also heat up for bacteria because they love a warm environment. This means you need to be extra careful about it growing in unwanted places.
You need to ensure your skincare products are kept in a cool, dry and if possible, a darkish place, therefore, removing the perfect conditions for bacteria to grow in. Ensure any cleansing tools you use be it a face cloth, or a facial brush, are kept really clean."
To help give your tools and anti-vice products a boost, Rodrigo recommends storing your products in the fridge.
Rodrigo on sun and UV damage: “When the skin is exposed to high levels of sunlight, hypo or hyperpigmentation which appears as irregular light or dark patches, can become permanent with repeated exposure. Long term, we will also experience loss of elasticity and the breakdown of critical dermal proteins e.g. collagen, resulting in skin sagging, wrinkles and loss of skin tautness. UV damage is cumulative, resulting in rapid-aging, especially with the added 'hit' from free radicals, which is also generated by UV exposure."
In conclusion, your skin changes with your lifestyle along with seasonal increases in sunlight, heat, humidity, and air quality. It’s always good to check up on switching up the time and amount of product you apply so you can battle out rapid-aging and the damages associated with a hectic, but exciting lifestyle.