Our skin is our body’s largest organ. It’s in charge of protecting our bones and muscles, regulating our body’s temperature, and keeping out infectious microbes. It does a lot to take care of us, and sometimes, we can forget to show it the same love back.
Time in the sun is good for our skin. It allows our skin to generate vitamin D which strengthens bones and muscles. Unfortunately, the sun can also be our skin’s biggest foe. Too much exposure to the ultra-violet light of the sun can damage skin cells. This can make our skin appear aged and less able to fight off infections. At the worst, ultra-violet light can even cause skin cancer. So, protecting our skin needs to be a priority when we’re out enjoying the summer weather.
Sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 is a must, but we can’t forget lip balm as well. Lip balm helps protect lips from cracking and pealing in the heat. When it’s infused with herbs, like our Thieves balm, it also promotes respiratory health.
Keeping our skin clean is one of the most fundamental ways we can keep it healthy. Regularly washing ourselves is necessary to keeping grime and unhealthy microbes out of our bodies. But regular bathing can risk drying out the skin. To counter this, it’s best to avoid washing in hot water, and instead, favor gently warm temperatures. Bath salts are a great way of helping the skin absorb vitamins and minerals. Lavender bath salts in particular can unclog pores and reduce inflammation, and since it has anti-fungal properties, it can even keep chronic issues like eczema in check.
Of course, if you’re looking to take your skin care to the next level. Lotions and creams help your body retain moisture and soothe it from irritations and pain. Cooling salves, like those made with menthol and camphor, are topical analgesics and offer pain relief, especially handy for times when the sun has gotten the better of you.
Our skin is what connects us to the world. The warmth of the sun, the cold water of a lake, the embrace of a loved one—It mediates our experience of the physical world. Take care of yours, so you can experience life in its fullest sense.
Sources:
1. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/kids/healthy-skin#tab-id-1
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/thieves-oil#research
3. https://www.healthline.com/health/lavender-oil-for-skin#eczema-and-dry-skin
4. https://thedermreview.com/menthol/
