Summer Skin Care
It's that time of year once more...
the days are longest, the sun is brightest, and the nights are warm and lush, making summer one of our favorite times of the year here at Secret Garden. Our soaps get brighter and more colorful, and they bring the tantalizing scents of the season into our homes. With all the excitement and time off from work, it can be easy to overlook your regular skincare routines. So we’ve decided to share our favorite, and simplest, summer skincare tips so your skin will glow not only from your tan but from the inside out.
The most obvious reminder for the summer months is protection from the sun, so be sure to get your SPF on. Many people follow this advice only when they intend to spend hours in direct sunlight, but according to the Sun Safety Alliance, the sun’s rays are strongest from 10 am to 4 pm, which is actually most of the day. We recommend applying a moisturizer or lotion with SPF to the face, decolletage and exposed skin every morning. And don't forget to protect your lips. You might think of lip balm as a wintertime treatment for dry and chapped lips, but lip balm is just as important in the summer. Lip tissue is some of the most sensitive skin you own and the sun’s rays can cause just as much damage as wintry air.
Another key to great summer skin is hydration. Did you know that most of the fruits and vegetables that grow in summer have more than 80% water content? It’s Mother Nature’s way of letting us know what we need. Eating foods high in water content is a delectable way to help keep your skin hydrated and firm during the summer months. Think watermelon, grapefruit, stone fruits, spinach and the ever-refreshing cucumber. Consistent hydration can also keep your skin protected from the development of wrinkles and fine lines.
A commonly overlooked step to summer skin care is exfoliation. During this time of year a gentle scrub can keep you skin glowing and help your skin absorb moisturizers. Keep in mind exfoliation should only happen 1-2 times a week, as overdoing it could leave your skin more vulnerable to the sun’s harmful rays.
Wash away your workout! Summer months are hot and we admire all of you who exercise in the great outdoors, but even for those who work out in the comfort of air conditioning, it’s important to shower afterwards. Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your body and skin any time of year, but in summer particularly, sweat can get intense. Sweat is good and it is cleansing. It’s the skin’s built-in means for flushing out pores. But working out without washing off can leave sweat and dead skin cells on your skin, re-clogging your pores. After your workout and cool down, a simple rinse in the shower or even a quick full body wipe down with a wet washcloth will go a long way towards helping your pores stay clear and your skin feel fresh. And even thought dirt and sweat are not an issue for swimmers, they need to wash away their workouts as well, so that bacteria, germs, and pool chemicals don't remain on the skin.
Trying to stay cool is hard work. If all else fails, kick back and sip something cool.
Happy summer from Secret Garden Soap!
Cucumber & Rose Gin Cocktail
Ingredients
2 oz Gin (Hendrick's)
.5 oz St. Germain Elderflower liqueur
2 dashes Peychaud's bitters
2 slices cucumber (plus extra for garnish)
4 dashes rose water (we used Fee Brothers)
½ oz fresh lime juice
1 pinch of ground cardamom
1 sprig of thyme (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Muddle cucumber, rose water and gin in a glass and then strain into cocktail shaker.
Add the rest of ingredients to the cocktail shaker (except the cardamom).
Add 2 ice cubes to the shaker, close lid and shake for about 20 seconds.
Pour the mixture into a martini glass.
Sprinkle the top of the drink with a pinch of ground cardamom.
Garnish with cucumber and thyme.
This recipe was written by and belongs to theframedtable.com. Check them out--they're wonderful!