Whilst we may well associate summer with sun-kissed days, beach vacations, and outdoor adventures, the reality is often far removed from that in the UK. Nevertheless, as the temperature warms, and the sun’s rays are more intense, our skin still requires special attention if it is to stay healthy and happy, and it is vital to prepare your skin for summer. We may not enjoy the sunshine of the Mediterranean, but those UV rays are still surprisingly powerful, and it is important to prepare your skin for summer as the days grow longer.
In this article, we’ll review the art of summer skin care, explore the importance of skincare rituals, the benefits of professional treatments, and actionable tips to ensure your skin stays radiant all season long.
Clear skin not only looks good, but it makes us feel great as well, so right now is the ideal time to get ready for the long, hot summer and work on your summer skin prep.
The Importance of Skincare Preparation for Summer
As we make the move from spring to summer, our skin undergoes significant changes. The combination of heat, humidity, and increased sun exposure can wreak havoc on our complexion and lead to a myriad of skin care concerns. From excess oil production to dehydration and sun damage, summer presents many unique challenges to our skin that really should be met with a proactive approach to skincare.
A skincare routine for summer is therefore important, but rather than rush to the shops and buy bottles of skincare treatments, there are far better alternatives available. Most bottled skincare treatments rely on chemicals and other nasties to ‘treat’ our skin and can often do more harm than good in the long run.
So for this summer, consider instead some alternative natural treatments that will give your skin all the benefits and none of the harms. Look for natural treatments and products that are chemical-free. And as an added bonus, they are often cheaper than the more expensive branded ones!
During the balmy summer days, keeping your skin feeling fresh and healthy can be quite a challenge. Hot temperatures and excess perspiration can really zap the moisture from your complexion, leaving it dehydrated and dull.
Taking a little time on correct skin care has many benefits, and some of the key ones we will examine here include:
- Remove dead skincells
- Skin hydration
- Cleaning skin pores
- Reducing scars
- Preventing ingrown hair
Remove Dead Skin Cells
Exfoliation is the keystone of any successful skincare routine, and it becomes even more crucial as we prepare for summer. Dead skin cells accumulate on the surface of the skin and cause dullness, rough textures, and clogged pores. By utilising regular exfoliation, such as honey and salt scrubs, you remove dead skin cells and reveal a smoother, more radiant complexion underneath.
This exposure of younger, more elastic skin not only feels amazing, but it helps you look younger too! More importantly, it is exposed to the air, and this is very beneficial.
The skin doesn’t breathe as such – but it does absorb oxygen, and this is beneficial as it helps give it a break from product build-up, pollution (and other environmental exposures), as well as sweat.
Summer skin care is important for another reason as well – exposure to sunlight is, of course, also essential for the production of vitamin D. By exfoliating and removing dead skin cells from the skin surface, we are increasing our ability to synthesise vitamin D in our bodies, and this has a subsequent effect on our bone strength, as well as directly impacting the health of our brain, heart and much more.
Skin Hydration
Exfoliation also impacts our skin hydration – freshly scrubbed skin is far more able to absorb good moisturisers and other treatments, as the skin pores get opened up and can therefore soak these up more easily.
Correct treatment and moisturising, especially with natural products, will make your skin feel and look smoother and more supple (read: younger) and can even help slow the ageing process over time.
A good body scrub treatment will also contain nourishing skin ingredients that will feed your skin and hydrate it too.
Cleaning Skin Pores
Summer heat and humidity can exacerbate acne and other blemishes, making pore maintenance essential. Regular cleansing and detoxifying treatments, like mud wraps, can help purify the skin and prevent breakouts.
These treatments unblock pores, clear the skin and allow it to ‘breathe’ again.
Specific treatments, such as aloe vera body wraps are extremely beneficial. The benefits of aloe vera on skin are well documented, as it can soothe inflammation and promote the skin healing process, leaving your skin clear and blemish-free.
Reducing Scars
If you’re prone to acne breakouts, summer can be an especially difficult time for your skin. Sweltering temperatures promote excess oil production and clogged pores, while sweat, sunscreen, and environmental impurities can all trigger blemishes.
To help fade any stubborn acne scars and achieve a smoother, more even-toned complexion, consider incorporating targeted treatments into your skincare regimen. There are various procedures that can slough off dulling dead cells and boost collagen renewal for enhanced skin texture and tone, leaving you with clear skin and a fresh complexion.
These treatments also work to minimise post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and thereby help to restore your skin’s radiant glow.
Preventing Ingrown Hair
With shorts and swimsuits being summer staples, hair removal becomes a common activity during the warmer seasons, however, shaving and waxing can often result in unsightly ingrown hairs.
Gentle exfoliation of your skin on a regular basis can avoid this irritating issue, as it helps to slough away dead cells that trap hairs and cause them to become ingrown.
Additionally, soothing inflamed skin with aloe vera body wraps can also make a big difference, as they possess calming properties.
Last but not least, opt for loose, breathable fabrics over tight, constricting clothing that can rub against the skin and further exacerbate irritation.
Revitalising Banya Spa Treatments
There are many banya benefits that your skin can enjoy, including treatments that offer luxurious and deeply purifying spa experiences and leave you feeling utterly refreshed. These traditional heat therapy sessions involve cycling between intensely steamy sauna rooms, refreshing plunges into cool pools, and invigorating massage techniques using aromatic oak leaf bundles.
The dramatic temperature fluctuations stimulate circulation that promotes healing and cleansing improvements in your skin. This holistic approach blends the therapeutic marvels of heat, steam, and nature’s finest ingredients to detoxify your skin, amp up circulation, and foster overall radiant health.
Add to this the wide range of other treatments that are usually offered at banyas, and you have a summer-skin-winning combination.
Banya No.1 – Chiswick, for example, offers a wide range of therapeutic skin treatments, including honey and salt scrub, aloe vera body wrap, and mud wrap. The benefits of aloe vera on skin cannot be over-emphasised.
Any one of these will be ideal as a major part of your skincare routine for summer and work exceptionally well when combined with the steam room spa sessions that the banya offers.
Banya Benefits
Banya No.1 – Chiswick’s range of treatments include:
Parenie: Indulge in the centuries-old practice of parenie – a steam therapy that will leave your skin feeling like never before! Gentle bundles of birch, oak and eucalyptus leaves whisk over your skin in a steamy haven, invigorating your senses and kickstarting your circulation, opening your pores, releasing toxins and leaving you refreshed to the core.
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Massages: Elevate your banya experience with the soothing caress of massage therapy. With many different massage options available, their professional therapists offer everything from gentle relaxation massages to deep, therapeutic treatments. These incredible experiences melt away muscle tension, bid farewell to stress, and supercharge your circulation. The result? A radiant, glowing complexion that’ll have you feeling amazing.
Body Scrubs: Treat dull, lifeless skin with the invigorating power of body scrubs. A honey and salt scrub not only exfoliates and refreshes but also adds incredible moisturising treatment. Your skin will thank you for it – especially in preparation for the summer sun.
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Other Skin Treatments: Immerse yourself in the nourishing embrace of some of nature’s finest offerings. Aloe vera body wraps cocoon you in soothing hydration, while mud wraps harness the earth’s healing energy, reduce inflammation and restore your skin’s delicate balance. And while the benefits of aloe vera on skin include reducing inflammation and moisturising, mud wraps are great for cleansing oily skin.
Aloe Vera Hair Mask: Aloe vera benefits also extend to your hair, strengthening it and offering UV protection from the sun.
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Hydration: Once the external treatment is done, it is time to rest in Banya No.1 – Chiswick’s relaxation lounge, and treat the inside. Rehydrate with a range of wonderful teas, or sample some of the incredible food offerings on their extensive menu.
Remember, as you embark on your summer skincare journey, that preparation is key to achieving radiant, healthy skin, and how banya benefits your body as well as your mind. By incorporating regular exfoliation, hydration, and targeted treatments into your routine, you can address any common skincare concerns and maintain a glowing complexion all summer long. A quality spa experience will go a long way to fulfilling all your summer skin prep needs – and all while you are having a great time!
Whether you indulge in a luxurious honey and salt scrub or unwind with a relaxing banya massage, prioritise self-care and embrace the transformative power of regular skincare rituals. With the right approach and a little TLC, you can enjoy a summer filled with sunshine, laughter, and confidence in your skin.
