Is Summer Changing Your Skin and Not For The Better?

We all love a bit of summer fun in the sun. But what do you do when all of that summer fun starts taking its toll on your skin?

7 questions and answers to help your summer skin look calm and dewy fresh!

1. Can hot weather cause skin problems?

Heat rash — also known as prickly heat and miliaria — isn't just for babies. It affects adults, too, especially in hot, humid conditions. Heat rash occurs when sweat is trapped in the skin. Symptoms can range from small blisters to deep, inflamed lumps- Mayo Clinic

2. Fewer temperature fluctuations

If the air is lacking humidity, your skin can lack moisture, especially when you're sitting in air-conditioning all day. "Both strip the skin of much-needed moisture, causing a dehydration and importantly to note an impaired barrier function. For many people this can result in not only a really parched skin but also a sensitive one too." Emma Hobson, Education Manager for the International Dermal Institute.

3. Cooler showers and baths

“Benefits of a cold shower include strengthening the contractile fibers (fibers capable of or producing contraction :)) to improve firmness, closing pores which helps reduce the ingress of pollution in the skin at least temporarily, and strengthening the arterioles to improve the skin’s ability to respond to injury.” - Dr. Carl Thornfeldt, the founder of Epionce Skin Care

4. Anti-inflammatory UV light

Surprisingly, ultraviolet light (the type emitted by the sun) can have a positive effect on the skin, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. 10-20 minutes is a great start!

5. SPF should be worn daily, regardless of the weather

Try to find a natural, lightweight, gentle sunscreen with minimum SPF30 protection that has UVA and UVB protection.

6. Make sure your makeup is noncomedogenic

That's an elaborate word for a product formulated without pore-clogging ingredients.

7. To hydrate your skin, drinking water isn't enough

"You also need to focus on two main areas a) prevention of moisture loss form the skin by having a good barrier function combined with products that repair and protect the skins barrier, and b) to use hydrating products which contain humectants, which boost and bind moisture to the surface of the skin preventing dehydration. "Emma Hobson, Education Manager for the International Dermal Institute

So how can Dr. Lucy help with "Summer Skin" in a positive way?

Summer or winter for that matter, can cause our skin to become extremely unhappy with rashes, dehydration, uneven skin-tone, and the list goes on.

Nourish, Renew and Protect is our jam!...Sorry, I had to say that.:)

Dr. Lucy not only nourishes and protects, but renews by aiding in cellular regeneration and collagen stimulation, which are all keys to youthful, plump, happy skin!

Is Your Skin Overexposed?

8 Summer skin care tips about sun, exfoliation and hydration!

*Since the heat is on I decided to bring this newsletter back. Extreme heat means less clothing, less clothing means more skin overexposed.

During the long days of summer, when the sun’s rays are the most intense, exposed skin is more susceptible to the effects of photoaging, or the premature aging of skin cells caused by ultraviolet (UV) light.

In fact, as much as 90% of the visible signs of aging on your skin are a result of sun or UV exposure. - Manhattan Dermatology, New York

Skin Care Tip 1:

"Pay attention to the clock to stay protected.

Part of the appeal of summer is having fun in the sun. But the sun’s rays are at their most intense between 10am and 4pm. By paying attention to the clock while you’re out in the park or playing on the beach, you’re better be able to protect your skin this summer.

You don’t have to run inside when the clock strikes 10am, but you should take steps to avoid sunburn and sun damage. If your shadow is shorter than you are, it’s a good idea to take precautions.

Skin Care Tip 2:

Here are some ways to protect your skin during peak sun hours:

Seek shade like umbrellas, trees, or other sunshades.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat to keep the delicate skin of your face out of the sun.
Choose sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection to stop sun damage around your eyes.
Cover up with loose, light-colored clothing.
Schedule extended outdoor activities outside of peak hours.
You can still have a great time outside in the summer sun as long as you make sunscreen part of your skin care routine and pay attention to the peak sun hours.

Your skin will thank you for taking precautions this summer to prevent premature aging and skin cancer." - Manhattan’s Murray Hill, New York

Skin Care Tip 3:

Try to avoid constant sun exposure and definitely tanning beds. These may also lead to early signs of aging.

Remember, natural sunscreen, hats, sun clothing and umbrellas are vital to protect you and your loved ones from overexposure from the sun.

*Maybe try a non-toxic self-tanning lotion instead. Improvements in these self-tanners has helped to give self-tanning products a more natural, streak-free look. Before applying the lotion, spray or mousse to your entire body, apply it to a small test area just to make sure there is no irritation.

*The Wen Bella Spirit Self Tanning Bronzing Mist gives a beautiful faux tan.

Skin Care Tip 4:

Always use some type of natural exfoliating product (I don't recommend loofas), which will help to remove old, waxy skin cells plus other debris and particles from your skin. Exfoliating will expose the healthy cells and rid your body from the old ones.

*Dry brushing daily if possible, plus a natural enzyme peel a couple times a week will work wonders!

Skin Care Tip 5:

If your lips tend to become chapped in the winter months or wind burnt at other times, using lip balm or lipstick will help to protect the lips from nature’s worst.

* I actually use the Dr. Lucy 2-in-1 Hydrating Serum on my lips before applying my lipstick or lip balm! I like the added layer of protection.

Skin Care Tip 6:

Dry or cracked skin can be very unbearable, not to mention the discomfort. Use plenty of natural moisturizing body lotions and body oils in order to replenish and lock in the skin's natural moisture. The environment can be very hard on your skin so be aware.

*After your bath or shower apply lotions and oils while your skin is still damp to lock in all that super moisture and hydration.

Skin Care Tip 7:

Do not use products that irritate your skin in any way. The harsh ingredients in soaps and other foaming products strip your skin of its natural oils. This goes for body lotions with "fragrance" and other toxic chemicals.

*The hot sun mixed with toxic chemical ingredients and "fragrance" from your skin care products can cause dangerous reactions to your skin!

Skin Care Tip 8:

Pretend you have sensitive skin even if you don't. This way you are more prone to baby your beautiful epidermis!

Sunscreen Tips 101

If I could go back in time and do only one thing differently for my skin, it would be to practice diligence with sun protection. I was raised in a sun-worshiping culture, and knew very little about photodamage, which is the damage that occurs to our DNA from overexposure to sunlight and manifests itself in advanced aging, wrinkling, and uneven skin. Thankfully, it's never too late to start a new healthy habit.

What is the difference between UVA and UVB?

The sun emits different types of ultraviolet rays, but UVA and UVB rays cause the most damage to the skin. UVAs reach our skin all year long - regardless of the weather - because they can penetrate clouds. These rays damage the deepest layers of our skin (the dermis) and cause photoaging, which is the premature aging of skin from sun exposure. They destroy collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkling and sagging. UVBs damage the most superficial layer of our skin. A quick way to remember the difference between the two types of rays is to remember A=aging and B=burning.

Do I really need to wear sunscreen every day?

In short, yes! We recommend only natural SPF's like Hynt Beauty Sun Prep Broad Spectrum SPF 25 Sunscreen, Babyganics mineral-based sunscreen SPF 50+. etc. Remember apply mineral-based SPF's in one, upward-like motion, towards your hair line, until the "white" disappears.

Let's break it down...

The best, most effective broad-spectrum active ingredient in sunscreens is zinc oxide, followed by titanium dioxide. SPF measures the sunscreen's ability to prevent sun damage from UVB rays. Here is the simplest way to explain the most up-to-date SPF ratings.

* SPF 15 filters about 93% of UVB rays

* SPF 30 filters 97%

*Sunscreens with SPF above 50 do not offer significantly more protection than SPF 50 (about 98.5%).

If it takes 10 minutes for your skin to burn in the sun, with an SPF 15 sunscreen IT will take 15 times longer for your skin to burn (10 x 15 = 150 minutes) and with an SPF 30 sunscreen it will take 30 times longer, etc. That being said, no matter what the SPF rating is, you should reapply sunscreen throughout the day, as often as indicated on the product label, which is typically every two hours. - By The Detox Market brand ambassador, and green beauty blogger Lily Wallace of Genuine Glow.

Cheers to healthy, sun protected skin!

With Love and Blessings!
Rebecca