Let's give summer a warm welcome! This is a time where abundance is everywhere - flowers are blooming and bright rays of sunshine exude an uplifting energy like no other.

It's the perfect time to get outdoors to get fresh air and enjoy the gift of longer days.

In many cultures, summertime symbolizes fun, freedom, and intensity. And by intensity, I mean heat!

In Ayurveda, India’s traditional system of medicine, summer is considered Pitta season which is marked by a fiery, intense energy.  And in traditional Chinese medicine, summer represents the element of fire and is a time full of passion, intensity, and friction.

So from a holistic beauty perspective - cultivating inner AND outer beauty - it’s important to find ways to balance this heat and intensity during the summer. 

Because summer is filled with sunshine, heat, and dryness (or humidity, depending on where you live) it's a good idea to offset these with cooling, water rich foods, and daily habits that support hydration. 

In this post, we’ll discuss how we can find balance this summer through self-care practices, foods, and beauty rituals.

Summer Self-care

Summer is a great time for movement, getting outside, playing and also, believe it or not, the perfect time to check in on any goals you’d set at the start of the year.

It's also important to balance the abundance of summer with moderation, as it can be easy to overindulge in food, play, and libations!

With everything in bloom, summer holds the energy of lightness so it's really important to balance this type of energy with practices of grounding.

I recently shared agrounding meditation, with the intention of helping you feel rooted to the Earth. Yet there’s another grounding practice known as earthing, which can also  help you feel more connected to, well, the Earth. 

Earthing is a practice where you typically walk barefoot on the land, whether it's a patch of dirt or grass. It's based on the idea that electrical charges from the Earth can have positive effects on your body -helping to reduce pain, inflammation, and even stress levels. 

Although more research on its exact health benefits needed, earthing shows promise as a simple form of self-care that’s easily accessible.

Protect yourself from harmful UV rays and dehydration

Make sure you use a good quality mineral-based sunscreen; wear a wide brimmed hat,  UV filtering sunglasses, and also have on hand a good source of hydration -  a bottle of refreshing coconut water or filtered water and a travel-size bottle your favorite hydrating facial mist. And, of course, don’t forget your lightweight summer face mask!

Indulge in summer Loving Foods

Before diving into summer loving foods, I wanted to highlight two organs that we must take extra care to support this summer: your heart and small intestine.

Your heart pumps blood throughout our body, delivering fresh oxygen and nutrients to your cells. So it’s important to support your heart by eating antioxidant rich foods andheart protective herbs including cardiotonics and circulatory stimulants.

Your small intestine is key to your digestive tract and allows your body to absorb nutrients, which help to build healthy skin, hair, and nails.

Eat your way to radiant skin:

• Support hydration with water rich foods that are naturally cooling
• Examples: cucumber, celery, watermelon, cantaloupe, zucchini

• Amp up your body’s internal SPF! These foods are rich in lycopene and beta carotene which can help protect against UV damage.
• Examples: tomatoes, apricots, carrots

Summer Beauty Goals

When transitioning from Winter to Spring, you stow away your heavy jackets and sweaters in exchange for lighter clothing and cooler fabrics. 

The same concept applies to your skincare routine. Why? Because your skin’s needs change throughout the year. 

What’s worked well for your skin during the winter and spring may not be all that suitable during summer. Any shifts in temperature, dryness, or humidity can take a toll on your skin and put strain on its natural barrier. This also includes consistent exposure to sun, pollution, or air conditioning.

Depending on where you live, summer might either be dry or humid. When your skin begins to adjust to higher temperatures and humidity, it may tend to feel heavy and greasy. 

If you've got oily or acne-prone skin, you may want to transition from heavier creams to lighter oils . You may even want to switch up your toners and opt for one that controls oil production better.

And if you’ve got dry skin and live in a dry, hot climate, you might consider products with emollient or humectant properties that help seal in hydration. 

Tips for all skin types: 

• Switch from soap to an oil based cleanser to effectivelyremove mineral based sunscreen and revive your skin

• Exfoliate regularly, using a gentle chemical or physical exfoliant to encourage cell shedding and prevent clogged pores and breakouts

• Using a hydrating mist to cool your face (and body) through the day and replenish hydration

• Minimize your use of makeup if at all possible, especially foundation. In the summer, you’re prone to sweating more, making it more likely for your make-up to slide off, or worse, mix with sweat or dirt which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.

Remember, summer is the best time to put your best face forward.So you’ll want to feel confident in your skin, even without makeup!

Want to learn how to get gorgeous skin naturally?

Join me in my Botanical Beauty & Skincare class!  Get all the details here.

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