We all love the summer- sun, fruits, beaches, trips, and skin-flaunting outfits. However, the season also brings with it sun damage, dehydration, and stinky armpits.
How can you have fun and still stay healthy this summer? Read on for some of our best tips and DIY recipes to keep your skin clean, safe, and radiant this summer.
1. Hydration
The best way to stay hydrated is to have a water bottle with you! Shop around until you find a water bottle that works for you in terms of size, durability, and design- then carry it around everywhere.
If plain water sounds boring to you, brew some infused water to motivate yourself to stay hydrated. Here's a handy recipe to use:
CUCUMBER LEMON BASIL WATER
Ingredients:
• 10 slices of cucumber
• 10 leaves of basil, muddled
• 10 slices of lemon
• 4 cups of water
Directions:
Put the lemon, cucumber, and basil leaves in a pitcher, then pour the water into it. Let it sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour before enjoying.
2. Improve your body smell naturally
If you want to enjoy the summer without worrying about smelling sweaty, try the options below.
Include fenugreek in your diet. It will make your sweat smell like syrup. The best way to reap these benefits is by eating its sprouted seeds. Soak seeds in water overnight or for eight hours. Drain the water, rinse and drain seeds once or twice every day for three days. You can enjoy fenugreek sprouts in salads, added to a sandwich, or alone.
If sprouting sounds like too much work, how about conjuring up a homemade deodorant?
DEODORAROMA
Ingredients
• 3 tablespoons distilled water
• 2 drops safe essential oil
• 3 tablespoons witch hazel
• 2 drops lemon essential oil
• 2 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 drops tea tree essential oil
Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a fine-spray mist bottle and use as desired, or store in a glass jar and apply with a cotton ball. Easy!
3. Protect your skin from environmental stressors.
Make sure you wear sunscreen and stay out of direct sun during the hottest hours of the day.
If you want to lighten the appearance of your skin naturally, here's a delicious face mask recipe with wholesome ingredients.
BANANA FACE MASK
Ingredients:
• 1 ripe banana (or ½ cup of ripe papaya)
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• ¼ cup of oats (optional)
• 1 teaspoon honey
Directions:
Mash a banana in a bowl, then add the honey and lemon juice. If you use oats, add them and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes before applying. Ensure you use this mask on clean skin and leave it on for 15-20 minutes before washing it off.
4. Natural oils
Different oils have different properties, so it's vital to understand the oils before using them on your skin.
COCONUT OIL
This oil is an excellent moisturizer, so reach for it if you're feeling drier than normal.
HAZELNUT OIL
If your skin gets oilier than usual during the summer, hazelnut oil will give you moisture without making you greasy. It also minimizes oily skin patches and the appearance of large pores.
JOJOBA OIL
This one works well for a broad spectrum of skin types. It reduces moisture loss without completely blocking the skin's transportation of vapor and gases. Your skin looks firm and taut.
DIY FACIAL OIL
Ingredients:
• 1 ounce of carrier oil such as coconut, hazelnut or jojoba
• 15 drops of essential oil of your choice
Here are some essential oils you can try:
NEROLI ESSENTIAL OIL
It smells amazing and promotes your overall well being. It works well for oily and dry skin.
CARROT SEED ESSENTIAL OIL
It's stimulating and soothes dry skin.
PASSION FRUIT SEED ESSENTIAL OIL
It's high in vitamin C and antioxidants, making it perfect for rejuvenation.
5. Juice
Summer is the best time for juicing. Here's why.
1. Antioxidants in freshly-squeezed juice help protect your skin from damage due to environmental stressors.
2. The fresh produce available during summer makes for refreshing juices.
3. You might discover that you feel less hungry during warm months due to lower metabolic needs- your body spends a lot of energy warming up in cold seasons. How about replacing one meal each day with a glass of healthy juice?
THE PRETTY JUICE (MAKES 10 OUNCES)
Ingredients
• 3 to 4 leaves of kale
• 3 to 4 leaves of endive
• 3 to 4 leaves of romaine lettuce
• 1 handful of spinach
• 2 broccoli stems
• 1 cucumber
• 5 to 6 strawberries
• 2 to 3 basil leaves
• a few pinches of wheatgrass (optional)
Method:
Wash all the ingredients and pulse them in your juicer. Sprinkle the wheatgrass on top. Enjoy!
With love,
The Sole Toscana Beauty Team
