Fresher, Smoother Summer Skin

Two major roles that the skin plays are temperature regulation and border protection and both of these are affected by adverse weather. Our bodies are set at a balmy 37-ish degrees C and as such are usually accustomed to trying to keep us warm rather than cool us down. However, when the outside temperature climbs up in the 40c it's a whole new ball game and all of a sudden the skin is placed in overdrive and sweating becomes perfuse and continual. Now while sweat is amazing at helping to reduce our inner temp our skin can pay the price, as this isn't just a nice skin spritz of water that is appearing, it is more of a salty lake and that can be abrasive. Sweaty, hot summer skin can easily become broken, irritated or grazed due to the combination of heat, wet and abrasion (skin-on-skin chaffing, skin-to-clothes/ pool surface etc.) and that can be very, very uncomfortable.

So I know that for many of you I'm not saying anything new here. You have a plan for when that happens and it includes cooling spritzers of chamomile or lavender, a fan or two and maybe a touch of calendula cream? All great choices and all available to purchase either as bases or as herbs and finished products here at New Directions, but what if you want something different?

Mother nature has been kind to us and has provided a wide range of essential oils and actives that can get us through these hot and sticky nights. However, before we get stuck into the actives list here is an overview of some of the things that summer skin cosmetics might claim without risking the wrath of the TGA:

• Long Lasting Protection
  This could mean from dryness or it could be referring to the fact that the product forms some kind of protective and substantive barrier on the skin.

• Cools The Skin
  This usually relates to a formula or a product that gives the sensation of cooling once applied. This cooling can be achieved by using something like menthol or mint oils or by the quick evaporation caused by ethanol or cyclomethicone.

• Protects from razor burn
  This is a cosmetic claim and could be a useful addition to a summer skin range as when our skin is stressed before we shave (due to the harsh environment) it is more likely to shave badly. This is because the skin is already too soft or too dry and flaky, as the natural barrier has been compromised.

• Prevent chaffing
  A very useful summer skin claim, as sometimes it is just the rubbing of the seams on our clothes against the skin that give us rashes.
   
• Protects against drying out of the skin.
  Another very important claim as once our skin barrier has been compromised it will dry out so a strong moisturizer is a wise choice.

• Non-Greasy/ light/ weightless emulsion etc.
  These sorts of claims made about the formula feel are valid, as when we are hot we don't always want to apply heavy, sticky barrier creams. However, we may still need that efficacy so the trick is to find good film formers and moisturizing agents that can be delivered weightlessly.That's more of a challenge!

So after getting a taster for what summer skin is all about from the above potential claims it is now time to see what's new and innovative in our Essential Oil store to help you meet these promises:

Essential Oils
These can be a great help in summer both as spritzer or toner additives and when burned in the home. Additionally they can be used in poultices or baths aimed at soothing and relaxing tired and weather-stressed skin. Just go easy on skin that is broken or burned.

Aniseed Myrtle
This is great anti-fungal oil and as such is a smart addition to your foot salt blends or creams - especially as not everyone likes that aniseed smell. Fungi and bacteria just love hot, clammy summer skin and with us more likely to spend time around pools and walking bare foot some extra protection as part of a pro-active approach to your well being wouldn't go amiss. Why not add a bit of Spearmint or Menthol for added freshness and a refreshing hit too?

Buchu
This South African plant has an aroma that insects can't abide and as such it is the perfect addition to a summer perfume spray. Insect bites are a pain at any time of the year but paired with hot and already itchy summer skin and they can quickly become infected and swollen. Avoiding the bite is the best strategy.

Cape Helichrysum - Immortelle
Inflammation is your bodies sign that it is in trouble and it can have a number of causes including sunburn, dehydration, insect bites or physical stress (abrasion) and so before we seek to manage it is best to deal with the initial cause. Once that is out of the way that red and puffy look can be improved with the help of some of this applied into a light and cooling aloe Vera rich-cream or lotion. A few drops or no more than 0.3% is usually enough but again; take care not to get it into broken or fragile skin.

Ginger Grass
So right about now you are probably imagining that this thing called 'summer' is not at all relaxing, in fact it is quite the opposite! Take the edge off summer stress burning a blend of Ginger Grass and either Lemon Myrtle or Sweet Orange (depending on your tastes) around your home. Ginger is a great stress reliever and pairing it with light, citrusy oils boosts its up-lifting properties. Clear then head then go to bed for less itching and a deeper sleep!

Pomelo
If you are not a fan of Ginger why not try Pomelo oil? This is another uplifting; relieving and stress busting oil that is the perfect pick-me-up for those with a tendency to get hot under the collar. Our 15ml glass roll-on bottles are the perfect vessel for your stress-busting, relaxing pulse oil for those romantic summer evenings. Use MCT oil or Isopropyl Myristate as a lightweight carrier for all of the impact with minimal greasiness and stress less this summer!

Just a note - Pomelo should not be left on the skin during the day as it can cause irritation. However, that doesn't stop it from being a great evening scent.

I hope that has inspired you to experiment with something different this summer and if not well don't forget that we stock a wide range of Lavender and Chamomile oils and extracts which for many of us are still the original and the best way to soothe, calm and relax summer skin.

Amanda Foxon-Hill

11 January 2013