As we approach spring, with its longer and warmer days, I thought it was a good idea to share some tips for taking care of your skin to the fullest while venturing outdoors…
The first thing that comes to mind is sunscreen. This is not surprising, as ultraviolet rays are one of the worst enemies for our skin. But in addition to the sun, there are other external factors that also damage the skin, and it is precisely about these that I want to talk today. Fortunately, in nature, we find many valid ingredients for caring for our skin outdoors.
In case of windburn: Unpredictable weather can make us drop our guard against a cold gale. A combination of low temperatures and wind can wreak havoc on the upper layers of the skin, leaving a trail of dehydrated, red, and swollen patches, especially around the cheeks and nose.
Ingredients that counteract the effects of wind:
Centipeda Cunninghamii Extract – A native Australian plant packed with sesquiterpene lactones, compounds with excellent soothing properties that lead to quick and effective relief.
Mandarin Peel Extract – Well known for its luteolin content, which is useful for soothing reactive skin.
Magnolia Bark Extract – Formulators turn to this ingredient for its antioxidant capabilities; however, recent studies have shown that it also soothes irritated skin and exhibits antimicrobial activity against acne-causing bacteria.
In case of burns: Socializing is part of our identity and most of the time it involves sharing food. Whether you're out of practice or just a bit clumsy like me, barbecues can leave us with some unwanted burns on our hands while grilling peppers.
Traditional ingredients like shea butter or sweet almond oil are well documented for treating superficial burns.
In case of pollution: Staying indoors isn't necessarily the solution to avoid pollution, especially since pollutants exist within a home, from mold to carbon monoxide and even lead particles. The good news is that there are powerful natural antioxidants that neutralize the negative impact of pollution, such as buddleja extract and thyme extract.
We should also pay attention to how we cleanse our skin, as this step helps to remove pollutants. My advice is to use a gentle, delicate yet effective cleanser. An excellent option is to choose squalane-based cleansers, as they tend to restore some of the skin's key components and, therefore, minimize the damaging effects of cleansing.
In case of sweating: We are well aware that sweating in general is good for the skin, as it is a natural process and helps remove impurities. The problem comes if it settles on the skin, as it carries accumulated dirt into the pores. The solution is to cleanse your face before or after exercising; I also recommend it after heavy perspiration.
