Summer = sun kissed skin, beachy hair, (finally) some vitamin D, BBQs in the park and short haul flights to sunny destinations. Which is great, but we also all want to stay hydrated in the heat and rock the ‘Summer Glow’ whilst protecting our skin from city pollution and UV rays.
HYDRATE:
Keeping hydrated is is our number 1 tip all year round - but drinking enough is especially important when it’s hot as we’re all sweating more. You’re around 60% H20, so it makes sense to keep yourself topped up! Drink lots of water and herbal teas, and eat foods with a high water content, such as watermelon, cucumber, strawberries and leafy greens.
Make a pitcher of iced fruit water to keep in the fridge: Add some chopped grapefruit, watermelon, cucumber, strawberries and freshly torn mint for a refreshing summery drink. Try to keep a big reusable water bottle to hand at all times, especially on your desk as it can be easy to forget to drink when you’re super busy at work.
Water, along with a diet including essential fatty acids fish, flaxseed, avocado, evening primrose & borage oils will help to keep your skin plump & hydrated.
We also recommend using a light, refreshing face mist to help keep skin hydrated, like our Rose Mist! Our certified organic rose water is grown and harvested high up in the French alps - the clean, clear alpine air and good nutritious soil means pure rose water of the highest quality with a fresh, green scent. Rose water is hydrating, moisturising, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and a natural anti-depressant, so it’s great for keeping cool and calm when you’re hot and flustered. Our Rose Mist also contains soothing, cooling Aloe Vera and plant-derived glycerin – a natural humectant that prevents loss of moisture by attracting water from the surrounding environment to your face. This all means it’s great for hot holidays and for keeping skin hydrated on the plane. At Skin & Tonic HQ we like to keep one on our desks, one in the fridge and one by the bed! Spritz liberally.
Feel like your moisturiser isn’t working hard enough? Try a face oil instead! Some traditional lotions and moisturisers can be low in effective ingredients and high in fillers, emulsifying agents and water. In contrast, our Brit Beauty Oil has been formulated with just 5 organic, plant-based ingredients – all included for their therapeutic properties. Borage, thistle and chia seed oils are packed full of antioxidants and omegas 3 & 6, which help to fight free radicals, minimize fine lines, reduce large pores and encourage cellular function, while uplifting neroli (orange blossom) essential oil helps aid skin regeneration. Oils are great for dry skin as they are easily absorbed, getting omegas, antioxidants, fatty acids and moisture into your skin.
EXFOLIATE:
Face
Exfoliating gets rid of the buildup of dead skin cells that can clog pores, flake off and turn into spots. It will keep your skin looking bright for the summer and help to keep break outs at bay.
Our Gentle Scrub is perfect for gently but effectively softening and cleansing, no matter what your skin type, with detoxifying French pink clay and gently exfoliating oatmeal. It also contains probiotic yoghurt powder which contains natural AHA’s that help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while geranium oil is a natural astringent that helps tighten the skin.
Mix ½ a Tsp with warm water to make a liquid paste then massage onto damp face in circular motions before rinsing off with water and one of our 100% organic cotton face cloths - we recommend exfoliating your face once or twice a week. Or make a detoxifying mask - just combine the paste with honey and/or yoghurt and leave on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off.
Body
If your body has been hiding under multiple layers of clothing for most of the year, chances are you’re probably in need of some exfoliation to reveal the bright, glowing skin underneath. As the skin on your body isn’t as thin as it is on your face, feel free to exfoliate more. Concentrate particularly on areas like your knees and elbows as these are prone to dry skin. Why not make your own body scrub at home?
We love this luxurious DIY Coffee Body Scrub recipe, made with just 4 ingredients that are more than likely to be in your kitchen cupboard. It’s the perfect scrub to get you up and awake in the morning, as the coffee will invigorate your skin and senses.
Coffee is an anti-oxidant that helps to tighten the skin, activate blood circulation and reduce redness and inflammation. Coffee also has the same PH level as our skin, meaning that it won’t dry it out or damage it. Raw sugar contains glycolic acid, a derivative of sugar cane, which helps to improve skin’s appearance and texture, as well as removing dead skin cells. The cocoa will make the scrub smell delicious but is also full of antioxidants and minerals including potassium, calcium and zinc, as well as caffeine which plumps the skin, improving the appearance of cellulite.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Ground Coffee
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1/4 Raw Coconut Oil
1 tbsp Raw Cocoa Powder
Method:
If your coconut oil is solid, make sure to melt it. Then just combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl, then add the softened coconut oil. Mix it all well until it looks like a scrub!
Feel free to vary the ingredients and quantities according to your own preferences. Try mixing with extra virgin olive oil for extra moisturising, raw honey for an even more luxurious and hydrating scrub, or just use coffee grounds on their own for a super quick fix.
Dry body brushing every day is also great for exfoliating your skin and getting it summer ready! Body brushing reduces the appearance of cellulite and helps to avoid ingrown hairs – especially necessary if you’re waxing! Before showering in the morning, use a soft-bristled body brush in long sweeping strokes, all the way from your toes towards your heart. This also helps to activate the lymphatic system and blood circulation.
Cellulite is often caused by liquid retention, so it helps to get this moving around your body by body brushing, but also move yourself! Getting sweaty is nature’s way of releasing toxins and helps with a healthy blood flow.
If you have really dry knees and elbows particularly post-winter clothing friction in lots of layers, the best time to moisturise is just after a bath or shower when the skin is still warm and damp. Natural plant oils such as coconut or almond absorb deeply into the skin for moisture that lasts longer.
PROTECT:
Make sure to protect your skin with a non-toxic sun cream. If possible, avoid some conventional sun cream brands that contain parabens (tiny plastic particles), unnecessary fragrance and ingredients like oxybenzone, a hormone disruptor. Instead, look for creams that contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide instead – these barrier sun creams work by reflecting the sunlight, and tend to have fewer and healthier ingredients in them. The Environmental Working Group’s Sunscreen Guide is great for more in-depth information on choosing a sun cream! We like Green People’s scent free organic sun cream, and Organii’s Sun Milk.
Be careful to not burn your lips or dry them out in the heat. Keep your lips nourished and moisturised with our simple and delicious lip balms. Made with just Shea butter, coconut oil, beeswax and a few drops of essential oils, they’re a holiday essential! Choose from Rose, Naked, Lemon or Mint.
Wishing you a Summer filled with sunshine and beautiful healthy skin, love S&T x
HYPERLINKS: (In order, for the red text)
Skin & Tonic Rose Mist:
http://ift.tt/2uGPQvJ
Skin & Tonic Brit Beauty Oil:
http://ift.tt/2vrD3Lf
Skin & Tonic Gentle Scrub:
http://ift.tt/2uGGsIm
EWG Sunscreen Guide:
http://ift.tt/2bht0zG
Green People Sun Cream:
http://ift.tt/2uGP95k
Organii Sun Milk:
http://ift.tt/2vrLuWA
from Planet Organic Blog http://ift.tt/2uGM5Gv
via How to Save Money When Buying Organic Foods
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