Three Tips to Treat Skin and Create a Balanced Routine Post Summer
It's that bittersweet moment every end of summer where we send the kids back to school (IYKYK), dive back into work full throttle, and figure out how to get back on a normal schedule. Whether you have children back in school or not, it is a great time of year to reevaluate our lifestyle routines to ensure that we treat (and if necessary, repair) our skin from summer sun exposure and later nights and mornings.
We are sharing three tips to treat skin and create a balanced routine post summer season. A routine holds us accountable and brings peace during an often overwhelming time of year.
1. Sleep
Sleep is always at the top of the priority list, yet is sometimes the stressor in many of our lives. Getting enough hours of uninterrupted sleep is crucial for skin health. Going to sleep at the same time every night is more important than you might think and can have clinical benefits on our skin. If you aim to go to sleep at the same time every night, it will help maintain balance for our circadian rhythm. Disruptions to our circadian rhythm can cause conditions such as transepidermal water loss and a decrease in blood flow. The process of repairing damaged skin cells peaks at night, so creating a schedule for our body to repair at the same time every day is crucial.
2. Exfoliate
Increasing exfoliation in your weekly routines will help treat any pigment that you picked up from extra time in the sun, as well as slough off dead skin cell layers that piled on all summer. Exfoliation can be done through cleansers, serums, and masks. A few of our Storied Beauty Favorites are Reflekt 1 Daily Exfoliating Face Wash, Elixir Exfoliant, and Revival Mask. The cleanser can be used daily if you wish or 2-3 times a week as your dose of exfoliation. The Elixir Exfoliant can be used a couple times a week to smooth texture and brighten the skin. The Revival Mask can be used 1-2 times a week for a dramatic appearance in smoother, firmer, softer skin.
3. Create time for yourself and DE-STRESS
The most common complaint this time of year is stress, anxiety, and pressure with the ease of summer coming to an end...and new schedules and obligations beginning. We've said it before and will say it again and again - stress sits right on top of your face! Sleepless nights and anxiety will surface immediately on your skin, whether it's dark circles and puffiness or additional breakouts. Stress can cause a number of skin conditions including eczema, acne, and hair loss. Stress can also trigger production of cortisol levels, which can thus clog pores and increase oil production (causing breakouts).
Scheduling time for yourself during the day will make the world of difference, not just for your overall happiness, but ultimately for your skin and physical health. This can include a 20 minute walk at the beginning or end of the day, scheduling workouts, or squeezing in a facial or massage to allow yourself time to relax.
We hope these few tips will guide you into a new routine for the remainder of the year. Our skin is the largest organ in our bodies and is affected by everything we do and feel. Daily reminders to treat our skin, mind, and soul will only help us commit to new schedules. Women carry a large load and too often forget ourselves in the mix of the daily grind. Let's start fresh - we're in it together!
