Prolonging Your Summer Glow
One of the things that we love most about summer is when our skin looks naturally sun-kissed and radiant. Even with plenty of SPF and sunscreen (which is a definite must), we all enjoy when our skin develops that healthy-looking bronzed glow.
As we know, summer is coming to an end — which means less time in the sun, and more time snuggled up in sweaters. But just because we're saying goodbye to summer, doesn't mean we have to say goodbye to the glow! Maintaining your skin's natural radiance is something you can do through your skincare routine, without damaging or harming your skin or your health. Maintaining your summer glow is all about incorporating the right ingredients that give our skin that natural, glowy look. We're here to help you prolong your summer glow — without exposing your skin to the damaging UV rays of the sun, or the harsh chemicals in self-tanning products.
What Gives Us the "Glow"?
We always hear the word "glow" thrown around when we're talking about the perfect skin. But what exactly does that mean, and how exactly do we achieve a glowing complexion? There are a few key components to maintaining a summer glow: our skincare routines and products, our natural melanin levels, and our lifestyle habits and activities.
mel·a·nin
A dark, rich, naturally-occurring pigment which gives the hair, eyes, and skin their color.
Moisture
Keeping your skin nourished with plenty of moisture is key to maintaining that healthy summer glow that you achieved! When you apply a moisturizer regularly to your face and body, your tan is going to last much longer because your skin cells will not need to regenerate as often or as quickly. The key is to use a moisturizer containing ingredients that are highly nourishing to the skin. (A great example is shea butter!) Some moisturizers even have glowing properties, that will illuminate your face and body without the use of harsh chemicals or toxins. For example, the Luminous Brightening Elixir by si Skin Organics uses powerful antioxidants to nourish the skin and give it a glowly, radiant appearance. If you are looking for added color, go for a tinted moisturizer!
Hydration
You might be thinking — didn't you just talk about keeping the skin moisturized? Well, moisture and hydration are actually two very different things! While it's extremely important to use lotions and moisturizers to maintain your skin's moisture barrier, another vital step to prolonging your summer glow is drinking plenty of WATER! Staying hydrated on the inside will keep your skin hydrated on the outside, giving it a healthy, plump appearance and keeping your summer glow looking natural and radiant for much longer. You can also incorporate hydrating ingredients into your skincare routine, such as hyaluronic acid, which retains water content within the skin.
Melanin
Melanin is a dark pigment that gives our skin, eyes, and hair their natural color. Skin with less melanin appears lighter, while skin with more melanin appears deeper. When your skin is exposed to UV rays from the sun, the rays penetrate your skin and stimulate the production of melanin, which is the skin's natural way of protecting itself against sunburn. Of course, your natural levels of melanin have the most influence on the overall tone of your skin, but sun exposure will also have an influence on your summer glow (although it's extremely important to always wear sun protection to prevent burning)! There are also safe products that can help boost the natural efficacy of your natural melanin, such as the Incidental Sun Smart Serum by Skinergies, which will help protect and enhance the skin while giving you a natural summer glow.
Exfoliation
In order to keep your skin looking its best, it's extremely important to incorporate exfoliation into your skincare routine. Exfoliation refers to the removal of dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, whether through physical processes such as scrubs and body brushes, or through chemical processes such as lactic or glycolic acids. (A great option is PRIORI Skin Care's LCA Smart Peel Pads!) Removing excess dead skin cells allows for new cell regeneration and quicker cell turnover, which will help your skin look bright and glowy rather than dull.
Lifestyle
There are actually several things other than skincare which can help prolong the look of your glowing summer skin. One of these things is to stay active! You may have noticed that your skin tends to look exceptionally glowy after a good workout. This isn't a coincidence! Taking care of your body, especially in the form of exercise, is a hidden secret to maintaining healthy, glowing skin. And if you can mix it with some natural sunlight, it's even better: every day, especially in the morning, try to go outside for at least 20 minutes.
Another lifestyle tip for keeping your skin glowy is to eat foods that are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help prevent damage to skin cells caused by free radicals and environmental factors. They are great for giving your skin a healthy glow, and they can be found in many delicious foods! Some foods rich in antioxidants include berries, kale, artichokes, and even dark chocolate. Yum!
What About Self-Tanners?
Self-tanners often contain chemicals that when used long-term can cause damage to your skin and your overall health. For an immediate summer glow or "tan" look, we recommend using clean, safe cosmetics that can help you achieve a bronzed complexion — tinted moisturizers, bronzers, highlighters and illuminators, etcetera.
Key Takeaways
Develop a skincare routine that keeps your skin exfoliated and moisturized. Keeping your skin hydrated and healthy is one of the best ways to prolong your summer glow! You can use either physical or chemical exfoliants, or a combination of both in moderation, in addition to moisturizing products that really nourish and brighten the skin.
Your natural melanin levels will have an impact on your skin's ability to maintain a "tan" or summer glow. While sun exposure will give us that fresh, sun-kissed look, remember to ALWAYS use sun protection when you know you will be in the sun for a long time! You can use products and eat food that naturally boost the efficacy of your skin's natural melanin, giving you that coveted summer glow without the harmful rays of the sun.
Living a proactive, healthy lifestyle will actually have a significant impact on how your skin looks! Make sure you're drinking plenty of water to keep your skin plump and hydrated. Also, staying active and getting exercise will help give your skin a natural glowy look. You can also eat foods that are rich in antioxidants!
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FOR THE BIOME
Revel in this symphony of protection as nature's strongest volcanic CO2 extracted actives help defend skin from environmental stress and blue light radiation for a clearer, smoother complexion. A red glow upon application signals activation and quickly absorbs for a translucent, mattified shield.
SKINERGIES
The biomimetic peptide mimics the action of sunlight on skin and naturally boosts the efficacy of the melanin and its UV protection and repair properties. Without affecting the skin tone, it will maintain a natural glow.
PRIORI SKINCARE
Using high-strength lactic, glycolic and mandelic acids, PRIORI’s peel pads are designed to adapt to the needs of each individual’s skin. These Smart Peel Pads feature professional-strength technology, that delivers the multi-layer of AHA resurfacing, working perfectly to remove only the outermost layer of dead skin cells - revealing luminous, fresher and healthier skin.
SI SKIN ORGANICS
Enhance your skin's luminosity with our Brightening Elixir. Formulated with optimal concentrations of skin firming Red and Brown Algae, combined with bio actives such as Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant to help nourish and protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals.
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