Summer Skin Health
Summer can do a number on your skin. The main culprit is sun exposure, which is responsible for the lion’s share of premature skin aging. But chlorine from the pool and salt water from the ocean can also suck the moisture from your skin, making it dry, rough, and scaly.
What’s a summer lovin’ person to do? You know enough to protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen. And moisturizing from the outside with your favorite lotion is a no-brainer. But the real trick to beautiful summer skin is moisturizing from the inside, by staying well hydrated and getting plenty of omega fatty acids.
Summer Skin Challenge #1: The Sun
We love the sun, and not just because it makes all life on Earth possible. We love how a sunny day raises our spirits and relaxes our soul. But the fun ends if you get a sunburn. Not only does it hurt, a bad burn can increase your chances of getting skin cancer down the road. So use sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection, choose SPF 30 or higher, and make sure you’re using enough. Many folks skimp on sunscreen without realizing it. Experts recommend slathering a whole ounce of sunscreen (enough to fill a shot glass!) to your sun-exposed skin and reapplying every two hours.
Summer Skin Challenge #2: Chlorine
Ah, the sparkling water of the pool. It’s not just kids who enjoy taking a dip on hot summer days; plenty of grown ups pack in the pool time from June to August too. That pretty blue water is treated with chlorine, which is a good thing, since it knocks germs out of the water. And considering how many people are in that water… yeah, disinfection seems like a good idea. But chlorine has a dark side: it’svery drying. That’s why you want to shower as soon as you get out of the water and then moisturize immediately.
Summer Skin Challenge #3: Salt Water
There’s something magic about wading into the ocean…the tang in the air, the cries of the gulls overhead, the cool water gently rocking you. But is it good for your skin or bad? Turns out it’s a mixed bag. The minerals in seawater, especially magnesium, may nourish your skin. But ocean water is also very salty, and salt is—you guessed it —drying. As with pool swimming, the key is to shower and moisturize after you’ve been in the ocean. And because salt doesn’t completely wash off, gentle exfoliating may be a good idea, too.
So, you’re doubling up on sunscreen, and you’re showering and moisturizing post-pool and sea. Good job. But to really get out ahead of dry skin, there are two more things ya gotta do.
1. Stay hydrated. Remember that bit about moisturizing from the inside? It’s a real thing. Your skin gets water from the things you drink and eat. Staying hydrated means drinking plenty of water and eating hydrating foods like cucumbers, lettuce, strawberries, or watermelon. Smoothies and cold soups are great ways to keep hydrated on a hot day. Gazpacho, anyone?
2. Get your omegas. The second way to moisturize from the inside is by getting plenty of omega fatty acids, which play an important role in how your skin looks and functions.* Omegas live in your epidermis, where they help your skin maintain its structural integrity (meaning they help prevent the dreaded sag of aging) as well as its barrier function (meaning they keep good stuff like water in and bad stuff like pollutants out).
The best way to get omegas into your skin is not by rubbing them on, but by taking them internally. Research has shown that consuming omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids increases their levels in the epidermis. Once there, they can help mitigate sun damage, lock in water,and reduce signs of skin aging.*
Notice we said omega-3 AND omega-6. You only get omega-3 with fish oil, which is why we’re partial to Udo’s Oil 3-6-9 Blend, which provides a symphony of omega-3, omega-6,and omega 9 fatty acids. Made with unrefined flax, sesame, sunflower, and evening primrose seed oils, Udo’s Oil 3-6-9 Blend is 100% plant-based, pressed in low light and no oxygen to preserve freshness, non-GMO, USDA organic, vegan, and keto-friendly. In other words, perfection.
Right now, Udo’s Oil products are 15% off. Just use the code udos15 at checkout. Offer valid through August 23.
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