Summer Skin – 5 Hot Tips to Stay Cool and Hydrated

Drink Water

No matter what time of year, our bodies are machines that run optimally when properly hydrated. Summer means long, sunny days spent outdoors. Outdoor sports like hiking, biking, and running are strenuous and it’s important to drink enough water to maintain electrolyte balance. 

Dehydration doesn’t just affect your energy levels — your skin also suffers when you don’t drink enough water. A dull appearance, dark undereye circles, and wrinkles are all a result of inadequate hydration.

To stay hydrated, start before you get outside! Drink 16-20 ounces of water before any outdoor activity, and 10-20 ounces for every hour of activity. If you sweat a lot, you may need to replenish electrolytes with a sports drink, gels, or chews.

Give your skin a spritz too! Toners are a great way to give your skin a quick drink and a refreshing glow while on-the-go. Try our illuminating Glow Toner with Niacinamide + Hyaluronic Antioxidants to recharge your skin and help protect it from the sun. Niacinamide, chaga mushroom and betaine help defend skin from pigmentation caused by UV rays and other environmental stressors like poor sleep, free radicals, and dehydration.

The mineral-rich glacier water in our toner interacts with skin to deliver powerful moisture without leaving it feeling greasy or heavy. Glacial water has active polarizing water molecules that mimic skin cells and allows ingredients to penetrate the skin. Unlike purified or distilled water, the uninterrupted hexagonal structure of glacial water resonates with energetic vibrations of skin cells to boost hydration.

Exfoliate Skin and Detoxify Pores

Spending a long hot day at the lake, with equal parts splashing around and snoozing with a good book, is the stuff summer dreams are made of. But all that time outside can wreak havoc on your pores. Dirt and bacteria build up on your skin, and sweat works to trap them in your pores, making summer acne a real problem.

The first line of defense should be to cleanse your skin as soon as you can after your summer adventures. Next, make weekly exfoliation and detoxification a priority. Using a mud mask is not only an easy way to sneak in some self-care but it’s also a key step in your acne-fighting and skincare routine.

Here are the amazing benefits of mud masks:

• Exfoliate. As the mask dries it tightens and pulls dead skin cells to the surface of the mask. The skin cells are washed away when the mask is rinsed off.
• Detoxify. Similar to exfoliation, impurities are pulled to the mask as it dries and rinsed away with the mask. The ultra-fine texture of glacial clay makes it ideal for attracting impurities from deep in your pores.
• Tighten Skin. Masks made with clay in particular tighten your pores and skin as they dry, giving your skin a smooth appearance.
• Slow Skin Aging. Studies have shown mud with a high concentration of bioactive molecules can slow skin aging. Bio-what? Bioactive just means an ingredient that promotes good health.

Our hand-harvested glacial clay is filtered down to 45 microns (that’s really small!). The super soft mud draws out impurities and oil, helps fight acne and blackheads that can develop with clogged summer pores, and prevents skin inflammation and eczema. Over 60 beneficial minerals and trace elements pull toxins from your skin like a magnet.

Try the poreREFINING Niacinamide + Hyaluronic Antioxidant Glacial Facial Mask or make your own with these three easy DIY mud mask recipes!

Lighten Up Your Skincare Routine

Frigid winter weather leaves us slathering on the heavy cleansers and moisturizers — the thicker the better. The cold air and dry indoor heat leaves your skin dry, flaky, and begging for extra moisture. 

But summer’s a different story. You might notice around the time the sun comes out and the temps start climbing that those heavy moisturizers are leaving your skin feeling greasy — if you’re shedding clothes, it’s also time to lighten up your skincare routine!

Swap out cream and oil cleansers for our hydrating Micellar Glacier Water Deep Pore Cleanser that melts away makeup and finds dirt and oil left behind even after showering! You can use this product at home or on-the-go. Since it doesn’t need rinsing, you can take it on your next camping adventure along with our super soft velour bamboo pads.

Instead of a cream moisturizer, try our non-comedogenic alpenGLOW Age-defying Resveratrol + Hyaluronic Youth Serum. The gel serum goes on cool and leaves a dewy lightweight glow, perfect for layering with sunscreen.

What’s non-comedogenic? It simply means that the product won’t clog pores. Acne is caused by a buildup of oil, dirt, and dead skin cells in your pores. This buildup provides a breeding ground for bacteria and as a result, pimples develop. Our skincare products are formulated without ingredients known to exacerbate acne.

Store Skincare in the Fridge for Extra Cooling Effects!

Nothing feels better on a hot day than cooling therapies — be it a tall glass of ice water, a run through the sprinkler, or a dip in the pool. Why not boost your skincare routine with the same cooling vibes?  For an amazing skin treat, store your mud mask, toner, and serum in the fridge.  

Ever seen a beauty fridge? They may seem cheeky at first, but hardcore beauty gurus swear by a special spot to keep your skincare separate from the apples, broccoli, and leftovers in your regular fridge. These tiny tabletop cuties keep your skincare cool and organized. Of course you can always carve out a special spot in your refrigerator — just be sure that your skincare products are clearly labeled! 

For the ultimate skin-soothing and cooling experience, don’t forget your facial roller and guasha lifting tool. The genuine Amazonite stone is naturally cooling, but storing them in the fridge helps them stay cooler longer — and just feels divine! Combine with your favorite face and body oil for a deep self-care treat!

SP the F Up!

Don’t skip the sunscreen! Sun exposure is the leading cause of skin damage. Ultraviolet rays from the sun strip your skin of hydration and damage collagen production, making it hard for your cells to recover and remain supple. Sun exposure also causes hyperpigmentation — dark patches of skin from excess melanin production.

Protect your skin from harmful UV rays by layering sunscreen after your moisturizer in your morning skincare routine. It’s important to choose the right sunscreen. Choose a broad-spectrum formulation with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or higher.

How you apply your sunscreen is just as important as what you apply. Use at least a half a teaspoon for your face and neck, and an ounce in total for your body. (That’s enough to fill a shot glass!) Rub the sunscreen in thoroughly, and make sure to reapply every 2 hours.

Choose a mineral sunscreen without harmful chemicals that are toxic for humans and for the lakes and waterways we swim in. Benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, has recently been found in many popular sunscreens. Babo Botanicals makes several sun care options that are formulated with ingredients that are safe for humans and the environment.

Using sun protection isn’t the only way to keep your skin safe while outdoors. If you can, avoid direct exposure to midday sun when the UV rays are at their most harmful. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and find shade where possible.