What is summer skincare ?
As I sit here typing away wearing just a bikini, barefoot, temperature of 34 C humidity at 20% and it is 9pm. Still bright and sunny so it feels like 6 o’clock in the evening. Now you might understand why Spanish have dinner late . Who dares to eat never mind cook at 5 pm when its super hot here like I used to do in Ireland? This is another world and a completely different lifestyle that I absolutely love. No matter how hot it gets I much prefer the heat to the cold. In fairness I lived fourteen years in Ireland so I deserve a few years of heat to compensate.
Terral is the name given for this wind that brings a unique dry extreme heat that happens sometimes in July and August in the South of Spain. I am just loving it. The air feels like a constant hairdryer in your face. The washing gets dry in literally 30 min , faster than any sophisticated clothes drying machine and if you go to the pool or beach to soak in the water for hours like “garbanzos remojados” we call it . In English would say “soaking chickpeas”
In these hot dry weather conditions the skin feels extremely dry as water is lost from inside out , so you need a good skincare product that “seals in moisture” oils and butters are the best choice as they function as occlusive , a barrier that prevents water loss from the skin and also works as a shield from the dry hot air outside.
What ingredients prevent TEWL (Trans Epidermal Water Loss)?
TEWL can be further reduced by using skin care products that contain humectants, occlusives and emollients. These are important ingredients found in moisturizers for face and body. Humectants (like glycerine and hyaluronic acid) draw water from the environment into the skin
HUMECTANTS – Glycerine, propanediol, sorbitol, and the winner , the one and only hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate
OCCLUSIVES – Waxes , oils and butters
EMOLLIENTS – Shea butter, cocoa butter, plant oils such a jojoba seed oil helps keep the skin smooth, flexible and lubricated.
To learn more about what cosmetic ingredients you should look at using on dry or extremely dry skin feel free to read
this article I wrote a while ago. Therefore you can educate yourself on what ingredients to search for when looking at an ingredients label of a product or which ingredients you need to choose for your own formulations. Remember your moisturizer must always include humectancts, occlusives and emollients as they are the ones that provide an action on the skin. Apart from the functional products like preservatives, emulsifiers, thickeners and stabilizers which keep the product stable and safe.
Apart from the technical hydrating ingredients used in skincare products don’t forget the huge importance of drinking water, plain water, for the skin. Also eating fruit and veggies with high continent of water is essential. Some examples are ; cucumber, watermelon, melon, aloe vera juice, barbary figs, pineapple.
You also need to eat food high in essential fatty acids Omega 3 such oily fish: salmon, sardines, tuna, anchovies, seabass 3 or 4 times a week. Good oils like extra virgin olive oil . If you are vegan substitute oily fish withflaxseed oil which is high in essential fatty acids.
If you are interested in another side of face care I invite you to follow an Asian girl expert in yoga for face
@kokofaceyoga her exercises and massage are really interesting and easy to apply. She definitely knows her stuff.
When the weather is hot and humid on the other hand, a highly humectant skincare product is a must. For example a face mist with a high percentage of hyaluronic acid is ideal to trap the moisture outside or attract moisture to your skin. You can find many skincare products with hyaluronic acid such a moisturizing creams, lotions, ointments and serums.
It makes your skin flexible and fresh. It reduces lines and wrinkles. The best drink for your skin all year around. My favourite is a face mist in a spray format that I carry everywhere , I made it myself and put in it the fridge in summer so it is always cool to apply on hottest days. To learn how to formulate and make it enrol in my
online complete courseSome breaking news I have been offered an opportunity to be Ambassador of an amazing natural vegan super ethical skincare brand that ticks all the boxes of my philosophy I can’t wait to share it all with you. I have to complete the official training before I say anymore, so watch this space! All I can tell you for now is that its genuinely natural, vegan, with minimalist packaging, a great ethos and a fantastic commitment to the environment .
Make sure you follow me in Instagram @wapobeautyschool
La Mayca x
