Restore your skin
The summer sun can really take a toll on our skin, especially if we spend a lot of time outdoors. It’s very important to restore our skin after the warmer months.
Did you know that your skin’s ability to self-repair can decline by more than 50 per cent when you reach middle age? Just like your body needs nutrients and sleep to maintain a strong immune system, your skin needs several tools to nourish, restore and protect it from the sun’s harsh UV rays.
Restore skin to its smoother healthier self the Hopewood way by trying these remedies.
- Apply moisturiser daily to repair and protect your skin. Hydrating the skin regularly helps stimulate the production of new collagen, a protein that helps give skin its texture and appearance.
- Over the summer months your skin can dry out and dead skin can build up, making your complexion appear blotchy and uneven. Exfoliate your skin with a loofah or a scrub to remove the dead skin cells and leave it looking smoother.
- Avoid soap. Soap can dry and irritate your skin, particularly if it’s sunburnt, so try to avoid overuse. Likewise, try not to soak in soapy baths for too long.
- Drink water. Your skin needs plenty of water to stay hydrated from the inside out, so restore it by always keeping your fluids up.
- Eat vitamin-C-rich foods. Citrus fruits, mustard greens and spinach are essential for the production of collagen. Try to include vitamin C in your diet where possible.
- Eat more protein.Protein is key for rebuilding cells. We recommend incorporating more eggs, tofu, beans, and nuts into your diet.
- Eat more zinc.Zinc helps generate collagen for skin-tissue repair, and supports the immune system. We recommend eating fish, soybeans, whole-grain pastas, mushrooms, and egg yolks.
- Exercise daily.Regular exercise gets the blood pumping nutrients where they’re needed for skin repair.
- Try meditation.Meditation, yoga and tai chi will calm the body and mind, leaving your skin with a healthy glow.
- Get regular skin checks. Don’t forget to see your dermatologist for yearly skin checks – this is important if you’ve spent a lot of time in the sun this summer.
- Always wear a hat when you’re outside – even when its overcast. Take extra care to use appropriate sun protection on your skin between the hours of 10AM and 3PM when the sun is at its strongest!