Summer Skin SOS – essential tips for maintaining healthy and hydrated skin
While August brings sun-soaked days and warm, inviting weather, it also challenges our skin. Have you ever felt your skin feeling dry and dehydrated after time in the sun? This is a very common issue during the summer months and it’s down to a combination of factors.
Increased temperatures and prolonged exposure to the sun can strip the skin of its natural moisture barrier, leading to a loss of hydration. The sun’s UV rays not only dry out the skin, but also cause damage to skin cells, so they don’t retain moisture as well. Activities like swimming in chlorinated pools or saltwater can further dehydrate the skin.
If you like to escape the heat to air-conditioned environments, this too contributes to skin dryness due to the reduced humidity levels in the air.
All these elements can lead to skin feeling tight, flaky and less supple, which is why proper hydration from both the inside and out is crucial.
Hydration isn’t just about what you apply to your skin – it’s also about what you put into your body. Here’s how to keep your skin nourished and healthy from the inside-out this summer.
Drink water
Sip on water throughout the day (aim for at least 8 glasses) – remember, the skin is the largest organ in the body and it needs water just as much as the rest of you. If plain water feels a bit boring, infuse it with fresh fruits like lemon, berries, or mint for a refreshing twist.
Eat water-rich foods
Incorporating water-rich foods like cucumbers, watermelon, strawberries, and leafy greens into your diet is another great way to boost hydration. These foods not only help keep you hydrated, but also provide essential vitamins and antioxidants that benefit the skin.
Have some herbal teas
Herbal teas, especially those with hydrating properties like chamomile or rooibos, can be a soothing way to increase your fluid intake. They’re great for hydrating the skin and can be enjoyed hot or iced.
Limit caffeine and alcohol
While it’s tempting to enjoy iced coffee or a cocktail by the pool, caffeine and alcohol are diuretics that cause the body to lose water and lead to skin dehydration. If you do indulge, be sure to balance it out with plenty of water and hydrating foods.
Use skincare that locks in moisture
It’s important to feed sun exposed skin with skincare products that lock in moisture to help prevent dehydration and protect the skin barrier. Hydrated skin not only looks healthier but also maintains its elasticity and resilience. My summer skin saviour is our multi-tasking Signature Serum. We invested over five years perfecting this serum. It includes 15 active ingredients and nourishing actives designed to enhance skin health, hydration and radiance.
We’ve included ingredients like vitamin C and antioxidant-rich green tangerine exosomes, which work together to not only soothe the complexion, but also significantly boost skin hydration by increasing hyaluronic acid production.
Our proprietary SOM1X blend includes a mix of vitamins, probiotics and plant extracts that combat free radicals, strengthen the skin barrier and protect its microbiome, supporting overall skin health and resilience.
I also recommend a good night cream like our Night Recovery Cream , which is loaded with humectants like hyaluronic acid, to draw moisture into the skin and squalane to prevent it from escaping. It also contains soothing jojoba seed oil, shea butter and rice germ oil to restore moisture balance, soothe and protect. Our potent SOM1X blend of vitamins, probiotics and plant extracts work hard overnight to deliver a healthy and radiant complexion.
Keeping your skin hydrated is all about a balanced approach – combining skincare products with a healthy diet and lifestyle. I hope that by incorporating these tips into your daily routine, you’ll not only feel better, but also see a noticeable difference in your skin’s hydration and radiance.
Dr Munir Somji is a cosmetic surgeon and co-founder of DrMediSpa, located in Marylebone, Knightsbridge and Loughton. He has over a decade of experience in performing and teaching advanced aesthetic non-surgical and surgical procedures. Recognising the impact of skin health and the link to confidence and wellbeing, Dr Somji is passionate about restoring patient confidence and has gained himself a reputation for his meticulous work, reassuring manner and performing treatments that deliver subtle results.