Summer Fun, Don’t Forget Your Skin! Summer is here and in full swing! Fun in the sun, a day at the pool, cookouts, and outdoor activities are once again part of our lives (YAY!), and a return to active lifestyles is BACK!!! It’s easy to fall out your daily skincare routine and go “au naturelle” for a while on a summer holiday. Being aware of the pitfalls of an outdoor summer lifestyle is crucial if you don’t want to set your skin back and accelerate aging and skin damage. Ultraviolet light and super dry (or humid) conditions can take a toll on your skin fast!
Good skin care doesn’t stop during a summer holiday, so understanding what can set your best efforts back months is essential. I know, I know… lily white, winter skin desperately needs some rays and a little vitamin D, sooo – here are a few tips to help you prevent unnecessary damage and be armed with the tools to help your skin stay beautiful all summer long. Changing up your skincare routine is super important, and switching to lighter products and adding collagen-boosting antioxidants, serious sun repair, and environmental protection are at the top of the list!
If you are, using acid-based exfoliating cleansers, you may want to switch off to a more nourishing and hydrating cleanser that will help restore vital nutrients and minerals that can be depleted and help reduce inflammation. There is nothing better for this than pure seaweed and red algae! This nutrient-dense cleanser is perfect for all skin types and summer environmental conditions!
And speaking of cleansing, understanding the water you are using in the process is critical for serious skin care and repair. Think about it… you choose the cleanest, most effective skin care products you can get and spend your time focusing on using them consistently. Then you bathe and rinse your skin in chlorinated water! (jeez!) not to mention the pool water you are in during the summer!
Chlorine is a bleaching agent used to purify our water supply, but this doesn’t mean it’s “pure.” if you’re cleansing your face with the water that comes out of your tap, you’re likely exposed to more chlorine than you’re aware. Because it’s a highly effective disinfectant, chlorine is added to public water supplies to deter any disease-causing bacteria that are present.
Chlorine is a toxic chemical that can wreak havoc on your health. Research indicates that long-term exposure to chlorine causes free radicals to build up in the body, which can cause severe damage to our cells (a.k.a. chlorine toxicity). When it comes to skincare, however, the chlorine in our water supply can do more harm than good…no matter how on point your skincare routine may be.
How Chlorine Affects Your Skin
While four parts per million are considered “safe”, daily exposure to this topically and internally can be quite harmful. When you cleanse your face with warm water, your pores open up, letting the chlorine present in your tap water soak directly into your skin. The additional problem here is that chlorine has an extremely drying effect on the skin, essentially stripping it of its natural oils. This can cause the skin to dry out and crack, leading to chronic inflammation and premature aging. Research also reveals that chlorine present in the water coming from the faucets in your home can also make dermatitis worse.
Since clean drinking water AND bath water (and don’t get me started on what this does to your laundry!) is sooo important for your health to hydrate your skin and improve its elasticity, understanding the harmful effects of our water supplies is vital for beauty and our health. Tap water contains chemicals like chlorine, fluoride, VOC’s and many others that are horrible for your skin. Public water plants are treated with chlorine and an array of other chemicals to kill waterborne bacteria, viruses, and parasites. That means you are exposed to chlorine each time you turn on your faucet to wash your hands, wash the dishes, brush your teeth, or take a shower. Although chlorine is beneficial by killing harmful pathogens, it has adverse effects on your skin, especially if you have sensitive, compromised, or problem skin. Chlorine can also cause skin irritations, leading to acne, eczema, and rashes. It kind of makes you think about being in the pool a little bit different all summer long, huh?
We know how important excellent, clean skin care products are for clear, beautiful skin and how they slow the visible signs of aging, right? Well, if you continue to use unfiltered tap water with your skincare routine, it’s like taking two steps forward and two steps back… So want can you do??
So…. What CAN You Do?
Make the necessary adjustments to switch to purified, filtered water in your home! I feel very strongly about this because it’s my job to help you have fabulous skin, and the water you use is a huge part of this equation. I have some interesting information, a great solution and a resource for you to simplify this, so keep reading!!! Like I always say, “you don’t know what you don’t know, right?)
Your skin provides a barrier of protection against potentially harmful external environmental aggressors such as temperature fluctuations, chemicals, radiation, infectious organisms, and other toxins. And surprising as it may seem, your external environment can affect the health of your skin. An example we all understand is that the sun’s rays can burn your skin, damaging it and causing wrinkles. And who wants that?
Since we can’t live without water and sunlight, we must understand how to use these life-giving resources without damaging our health or skin. Drinking plenty of water daily hydrates your skin, improving its elasticity while cleansing your skin with water helps detoxify the skin. This being said, installing a water filtration system, or at the very least a chlorine-removing shower head, will make an immediate difference in your skin and hair and clean up your water supply! This one simple change will allow the super clean skincare ingredients you use daily to do their job and make a huge difference in your skin, whatever the condition.
I could write about this for days because our water has become so contaminated it’s difficult to know where to begin to clean up our personal water supply. Using toxic, chlorinated water with your clean, beautiful skincare products that you use every day makes no sense, and expect the best possible results. Speaking from personal experience, I feel so strongly about this subject. I want to share what I’ve done in my home to eliminate this problem because it has made a difference in my life.
Since there are thousands of water filters on the market, just like skincare, it can be overwhelming to know where to start to make this important change. After my bewildering search, I met someone who helped me purify the water in my home. His name is Chris, and he helped me sort through all the options to purify the water in my house. I wanted to share his knowledge and resources with you. He has offered water testing kits to my clients … yes, this means you! So if you would like to have your water thoroughly tested to see what is in YOUR water, just follow this link below, call them, and ask for Chris. This information will make you an informed consumer so you can choose the best water filtration for your home. Believe me; it improves more than just your skin! Here is a link to the company whose products and services I trust! https://aerusofkennesaw.com/water-filtration/
I hope this information helps you find your solution, and I can’t wait to show you more! Follow us on FB, YouTube, Our Blog, and sign up for our newsletter. Sending much love and blessings!!
My Passion Is Your Solution!
XOXOXO
References:
- Structure And Function Of The Skin. CliniMed®. Accessed June 22, 20
- Sharkey L. How Often Should You Actually Wash Your Face? healthline.Written November 25, 2019. Accessed June 22, 2021.
- Chlorine Chemistry Chlorine and Drinking Water. American Chemistry Council. Accessed June 22, 2021.
- Chlorinated Tap Water: How It Is Harming Your Skin. TestMyWater.org.Accessed June 22, 2021.
- 6 Real Benefits of Filtered Tap Water. Watercare. Published March 19, 2018.