A light tan—though not healthy—makes the skin look better. Unfortunately, when exposed to the sun, we don't always remember to use appropriate and sensible protection. Anyone who doesn't protect their skin with UV protection properly and regularly is at risk of the adverse effects of solar radiation. Those who use too low an SPF, or one that isn't suited to their skin tone, are also at risk.
Sun exposure can cause discoloration. It's also responsible for the appearance of new wrinkles and spider veins. Even though you return from vacation feeling rested and relaxed, your skin needs rest, regeneration, and special attention. After vacation, skin is often dry, dehydrated, and irritated. It also lacks a healthy glow. So how can you regenerate it after summer?
1. Exfoliation and Moisturizing
This is the foundation of any sensible skincare routine. Exfoliation has many benefits, one of which is the removal of dead skin cells. Active ingredients in cosmetics will work more effectively without the barrier of excess dead skin cells. Skin will be smoother and firmer.
If you have sensitive, couperose-prone, or blemish-prone skin, choose an enzymatic peel . For normal, combination, or oily skin, feel free to choose a fine-grained mechanical peel .
2. What ingredients should you look for in cosmetics to nourish and moisturize your skin?
After summer, use a face mask more often. Cream masks can successfully replace night cream. Choose cosmetics that contain moisturizing hyaluronic acid, algae, marine collagen, and nourishing ingredients such as almond oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, ceramides, peptides, and vitamin E.
In addition to masks, it's worth using natural oils . They are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which restore skin's balance.
Rosehip oil – rich in vitamin C, it has brightening and vasoconstricting properties. It improves skin elasticity and firmness, intensely moisturizes and smooths. It also slows the skin's aging process. It is ideal for mature and vascular skin.
Sea buckthorn oil – rich in vitamins A and E, flavonoids, and minerals. It has powerful regenerative, anti-wrinkle, and antioxidant properties. It also improves skin tone.
Jojoba oil absorbs easily and moisturizes even very dry skin. It's suitable for everyone, but especially recommended for those with combination, acne-prone, and problem skin.
You can use oils on your face instead of night cream. They can also be used in the bath. Pour a little oil into a bathtub of warm water, and after bathing, you'll have smooth, moisturized skin.
In body lotions, look for urea, shea butter, and cocoa butter . These ingredients deeply nourish the skin. Additionally, cocoa butter helps your tan last longer.
If you've noticed discoloration on your face, choose cosmetics that contain fruit acids, papain, vitamin C, arbutin, or licorice extract . These ingredients gently exfoliate the skin, evening out skin tone and reducing the visibility of discoloration.
Looking in the mirror and seeing spider veins and dilated blood vessels ? Choose cosmetics that contain rutin, aescin, and vitamin C.
Gentler makeup removal will also improve your skin's condition after the summer . Avoid mattifying cleansing gels, especially those containing detergents like SLS. They strip the skin of its natural protective barrier. Feel free to use your existing skincare oils for makeup removal. For the post-summer skin regeneration period, use appropriate there will be creamy gels, emulsions, foams for sensitive skin.
Remember about the skin under your eyes
This is where the signs of aging are most visible. After the summer, it requires special care. Instead of a light cream, choose an eye serum or mask – they are more potent and effective. It's also worth remembering to apply eye cream correctly, as I wrote about here.
When daily skincare, don't forget about your neck and décolleté. The skin here is thinner and therefore requires a generous dose of hydration and nourishment.
3. Take care of your feet
After a vacation, calloused heels often become a problem. Use a foot file to smooth the skin, then give your feet a deeply regenerating treatment. Apply a thick layer of foot mask/cream, wrap them in plastic wrap, and put on socks. Just 20-30 minutes is enough for your feet to be smooth and pleasant to the touch.
4. How to regenerate hair?
During the summer, hair is especially exposed to the sun and saltwater, causing it to lose its shine and softness. It's often dry, and the ends split. How can you remedy this? It's worth reaching for products that rebuild hair from the outside and moisturize it from the inside. Split ends should simply be cut off – hair will look healthier.
Remember to balance your hair care routine. Maintain a balance between proteins, emollients, and moisturizing ingredients. In addition to regenerating masks, it's worth incorporating hair oiling into your routine. This treatment involves applying an oil or oil blend to your hair at least an hour before washing. Then, wash your hair with an SLS-free shampoo. Oiling your hair effectively improves its condition. Hair becomes healthy, shiny, and simply beautiful. Oiling doesn't provide immediate results, but regular use can work wonders.
Also, remember your diet. Drink plenty of water and eat fruits rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, such as currants, oranges, and grapefruit. To maintain your tan a little longer, drink carrot juice. Natural beta-carotene adds a healthy color to the skin and works great as a neutralizer of harmful free radicals.
The heat and intense sun are behind us, but don't give up on sunscreen. Choose products with stable filters that protect against UVA and UVB radiation. Cosmetics with SPF are the best wrinkle prevention and skin protection against free radicals and discoloration. It's worth using sunscreen year-round.
Martyna Piechowska is a blogger and makeup artist. She combines her passion for cosmetics and makeup with her professional career, where she can be found daily at the drugstore. Her blog is both a hobby and a way to spend her free time. She loves cosmetics and everything related to beauty, skincare, and makeup.
