Simple Summer Skin Refreshers

By Andrea, Contributing Writer

Summer is the time of year when more of our skin is exposed to the world. It’s also when we spend the most time in the sun and the heat. And time spent in the sun and heat is usually time spent sweating.

Whether your skin is pale or dark, dry or oily, the summer can take a toll on it. Spending time outdoors can lead to breakouts, dry, flaky, red skin or even heat rash.

The good news is: there are a few simple ways you can beat the heat and keep your skin happy and glowing.
These simple summer skin refreshers will help you stay hydrated.

Beat the Heat

Did you know inhaling the scent of roses can help soothe overheated skin?

Rosewater is available in most health food stores. Using a mister and spraying rosewater on your face, wrist or ankles can soothe overheated or irritated skin, according to researchers.

Or, try this simple method to beat the heat:

Soak several washcloths in water with several drops of rose essential oil.
Squeeze out excess water and roll up.
Add to the freezer for 30 minutes.
Soothe hot skin with a cold, rosewater scented cloth.
These are great to have out at picnics or BBQs as a treat for your guests.

Say Goodbye to Dry Skin

To keep your skin from drying out, first you’ll want to hydrate.

Did you know that sweating in the summer can actually lead to dry skin since you are sweating out water? Not to mention the drying effect of staying out in the sun. Throw in salt water or chlorine and you end up with a case of summer dry skin.

The most effective way to help with dry skin is to stay hydrated. Read up on the Finer Points of Hydration to learn some simple steps you can take to make sure you are staying hydrated over the summer months.

Spending a lot of time in the sun? You are probably losing important electrolytes and salts. Whip up a batch of Homemade Electrolyte Drink to replenish lost electrolytes without any harmful added artificial ingredients.

When you are hydrated from within, your skin will look fresh and hydrated.

In the battle against dry skin, you also need to moisturize.

There is no need to buy expensive moisturizers. Simply head to the kitchen for some extra virgin olive oil.

Oils go deeper into the skin than a lotion or cream will. Applying oil to the skin right after a cool shower will help lock in moisture.

If you object to smelling a bit like a pizza, try adding some soothing essential oils such as eucalyptus, lavender or rosemary to the oil before applying.

Have a stubborn dry patch that oil alone simply isn’t helping? Are your heels so dry they resemble sand paper?

Most of us have one to two areas of skin where we are persistently dry.

To combat those dry patches, mix up a batch of Homemade Non-Petroleum Jelly and use daily to moisturize those dry spots.

Say Good-Bye to Oily Skin

Hot days lead to overactive, oily skin. How can you combat that oil naturally?

Make up a Refreshing Lavender Rosemary Spray. Here’s how:

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Refreshing Lavender Rosemary Spray

Author: Ann Timm

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp dried lavender
• 1 tbsp rosemary leaves
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

Instructions

• Boil 1 cup water
• Pour over 1 tablespoon dried lavender and 1 tablespoon rosemary leaves
• Steep for 20 minutes, then strain.
• Combine with 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar and place in a spray bottle.
• Store in the refrigerator, and spray on oily skin on a hot day.

Sustain the Glow

Let’s face it. We’ve all bought in to the concept that in the summer our skin should be “glowing.”

The question is: exactly how are we supposed to achieve this “glow?”

Using a sugar scrub in the shower exfoliates dead skin cells and leaves your skin looking refreshed.

Not only are sugar scrubs great for exfoliation, but the sugar actually helps to hydrate the skin. In addition, is is antibacterial, which keeps our skin, the largest organ in the body, healthy.

Try making Homemade Cocoa Body Scrub to get that summer “glow” instantly.

How do you keep your skin refreshed in the summer?