We all love summer – but does your skin?

One of the problems after a long winter spent covered in layers of clothing is that the skin can lose tone and appear pale, flabby and weak.

This is partly due to the cold; the blood vessels nearest the surface shrink, resulting in a reduced supply of blood and nutrients. This impairs the production of elastin and connective tissue.

In winter we also tend to eat more fats and carbohydrates and fewer vegetables, meaning we reduce our intake of vitamins and antioxidants.

Top tips

Here are a few steps to tone and awaken the skin this summer.

Temperature is key! Initially, try to set the temperature to 30-32^°C when in the shower. Massage the skin quite firmly with a loofah glove to activate the epidermal circulation and naturally remove dead cells. Reduce the water temperature now to make it fresh and stimulating. To avoid damaging the hydrolipidic layer of the skin, don’t stay in the shower for more than 10-15 minutes.

Dry your skin with a towel and massage in Inlight Organic Firm & Tone Oil, which is rich in vitamin E and contains a fusion of toning botanicals, such as centella, burdock and green tea, that will sink into your skin, instantly making it feel tight and revitalised. Firmly massage the oil towards the lymphatic system to move any residual toxins trapped in the dermis.

Use Inlight Organic Body Oil with Arnica to support fragile vessels and skin that bruises easily. It provides a dual tightening and therapeutic effect thanks to its comforting, relaxing fragrance.

Remember to include vitamin C in your daily diet, ideally by eating lots of organic fruit and veg. Alternatively, take natural vitamin C with bio-flavonoids as a supplement together with a silica and vitamin B complex.

Bring on the sunshine!

As the summer kicks in, we’ll all be craving sunshine. As well as feeling great on our skin it has many positive impacts on our life, such as helping to produce serotonin (the happiness hormone), stimulating the immune system and converting vitamin D into its active form, enhancing the health of our bones.

But sun protection is important for our skin’s health. During the summer the light is much more intense and we risk over-exposure to UV rays: they damage the skin by oxidising the epithelial cells (free radicals), which can lead to premature ageing.

Another risk is the loss of water due to heat, sweating and swimming in the sea. The high salt content of sea water means it dehydrates the skin, leaving it harder, less elastic and opaque.