DIY Skin Solutions
We just love Summertime. There’s the beautiful weather, the great fashion, delicious picnic foods, and all that time out in the sun. When you’re spending so much time out and about and hanging outside, the last thing you want to be worrying about is your skin.
But while Summer can be great for giving you that much needed vitamin D and sun-kissed tan lines, it can also cause trouble for your skin.
Heat and humidity along with all that pollution in the city can kick up oil production and clog pores. That means annoying breakouts. And who wants to cake on coverup when they’re sweaty? There’s also the struggles of heat rash, bug bites, and sunburn that come from too many hours outdoors.
Because Summer skin should be radiant and beautiful, not clogged and red, we’re bringing you some DIY Summer Remedies to get you back to picnics and pool time instead of hiding indoors.
SUMMER BREAKOUTS
Summer breakouts can be the worst. You’re trying to be good and use only a thin spf tinted moisturizer, but that just doesn’t cut it for covering those breakouts. The only way to fix the problem isn’t by covering up, but by preventing it all together.
Tone – Exfoliation is the key to preventing Summer breakouts due to clogged pores. But sometimes exfoliation can be too hard on delicate Summer skin. Gentle daily toning is the best way around that.
Try a natural toner like witch hazel or diluted apple cider vinegar to naturally exfoliate the skin. Or, find a great natural toner like Korres’ Pomegranate Toner, which helps tighten and refresh pores.
Detox and Degrease – If you’re cursed with oily skin, you probably spend Summer in a constant state of dabbing. We found a great natural product called French Green Clay that can help decrease that oil while soothing and detoxing the skin.
Moisturize – Believe it or not, whether your skin is dry or oily, moisturizing is one of the most important things you can do for your skin. Part of what clogs pores is dry or dead skin, so by moisturizing and keeping skin healthy, you’re preventing more breakouts. We recommend using a natural moisturizer like coconut oil or coconut butter.
SUN DAMAGE
We have a mixed relationship with the sun. On one hand its beautiful, bright and cheery, bringing us vitamin C and amazing days outdoors. On the other, there’s sunburns and potential skin damage. We find the balance with good prevention, and also good treatment just in case.
Protect – Be sure you’re wearing a good natural SPF all Summer long. No fine lines and wrinkles for us! Check out CAP Beauty’s full line of Sun + Summer products perfect for prevention and protection.
Sun Burn Treatment – If you inevitably miss a spot or forget to reapply, you might find yourself with a bright red burn. Our favorite treatment is already in the bathroom – grab that apple cider vinegar you used to tone and smear it all over that burn. The vinegar helps remove the heat. Once you’ve rinsed, grab some aloe to soothe the burn and prevent peeling (maybe some from your own indoor garden?)
HEAT RASH
Heat rash and chaffing are common struggles that no one ever seems to talk about…. Well, we all get it and it sucks. Amy Schumer’s deodorant between the thighs trick is great to prevent chaffing in a dress, but how do you do it in a bathing suit or workout gear?
Prevent – The best way to prevent heat rash is by wearing loose breathable fabrics. The more air, the better! Also be sure to take off any wet or sweaty clothes right away. All that clinging moisture can be bad news.
Soothe – The best way to treat heat rash is by soothing it. We love running a nice big lukewarm bath filled with oatmeal (preferably crushed oats). The oat bath will sooth everything from sunburns to rashes, and just feels amazing. Other easy treatments include aloe, tea tree oil, and your trusty witch hazel.
BUG BITES
Be sure to use some bug spray anytime you’re outside this Summer in a buggy area. We love CAP Beauty’s recommendation. Even with the best protection, sometimes one sneaky bug can get by.
Remove the Sting – Mosquito and bug bites and can sting and itch like crazy. You hear all kinds of treatments from petroleum jelly to witch hazel, but we’re sticking with the traditional Chinese way - bananas. It turns out banana peels are good for more than just tripping your friends. Apply and rub the inside of a banana peel on the bite for a few minutes, remove and voila! No more sting.
BONUS: RAZOR BURN
It might not be a solely Summertime issue, but razor burn sure does stink. The best way we prevent razor burn is by using coconut oil as shaving cream. It’s moisturizing and gets all those amazing vitamins in as you shave, preventing burns from coming afterwards.
