The less glamorous joys of summer ~ constantly blasting air-conditioning, chlorine exposure, blistering heat mixed with pollutants, and our own body’s sweat, create quite the sticky situation for our skin, especially apparent on our faces. A review of good practices to throw into rotation is in order to put your best face forward and show up for this beautiful season.

Daily Routines:

• Cleanse skin 1-2 per day
• Wear little to no makeup
• Thoroughly remove makeup every night
• Moisturize based on your skin type and climate (dry vs. humid & dry vs. oily)
• Drink plenty of water
• Stick to a water and vitamin C – rich diet
• Get plenty of sleep to help regenerate skin

Heat Wave Extra Care Tips:

Let’s face it, sometimes our daily routine goals can be difficult to maintain as we get pulled in different directions and put self care on the back burner. Open the Ellovi tool kit and welcome ice and cucumbers to the summer face care plan for quick and easy boosts to hydration and relief during these hot days.

Face Icing

This practice involves applying ice or a cold object to the skin in circular motions for about 1-2 minutes for a myriad of skin benefits. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Scandinavian cultures, and practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda have long included cryotherapy to soothe and balance skin conditions and injuries.

Benefits:

• Reduces Puffiness: cold temperatures constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling especially around the eyes

• Soothes Inflammation: acne, rosacea, and other inflammatory skin conditions can be eased with application of cold temperatures

• Improves Blood Circulation: cold temperatures can bring more oxygen and nutrients to the skin, which can improve complexion and increase glow

• Minimizes Pores: Applying ice can temporarily tighten and shrink the appearance of pores, giving the skin a smoother look

• Reduces Pain & Redness: ice can calm redness and pain from irritation, insect bites, minor injuries, waxing, threading, and sunburns

• Refreshing: Cooling skin can reinvigorate and shrug off fatigue caused by heat exposure and other environmental effects

Cucumber Treatment

The ancient practice of applying cucumbers to the face dates back to Cleopatra’s skincare regimen, as well as in ancient Rome, traditional Chinese medicine and in the 19th and 20th centuries across the world. Scientific studies have shown that the concentration of vitamins C and K, antioxidants, minerals, and high water content makes cucumbers ideal for skincare, applied externally and consumed as part of a healthy diet.

Benefits:

• Rehydration: Skin loses moisture in heat, the high water content of cucumbers helps replenish moisture loss

• Soothes Irritation & Sunburn: Calms irritation, inflammation, rashes, redness, and sunburn

• Reduces Puffiness & Dark Circles: Placing cucumber slices over the eyes for 10-15 minutes can help reduce puffiness and dark circles due to their anti-inflammatory properties and high water content

• Tightens & Brightens Skin: Astringent properties shrink pores and improve skin texture, leaving skin looking youthful

• Reduces Acne: Astringent properties also remove excess oils to clean skin from potential blockages

• Provides Antioxidants & Nutrients: Vitamins and acids protect skin from free radical damage and promote collagen production. Nutrients nourish for optimal skin health while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

Science and history have lit the way for those curious and interested in improving their internal and external health with well-researched and time-tested, simple and effective strategies that support through the ups and downs of the climate pendulum. 

As resilient and tough-skinned as we are, holding the world on our shoulders in the day-to-day, we’ll be your reminder to take the time to be at your best, especially when it’s as simple as opening the fridge and taking 15 minutes for yourself.  Glow on, you deserve it.

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At Ellovi we believe skin health is deeply connected to overall health and well-being. Our mission is to offer wellness using pure ingredients with safe and transparent methods. Self care is not just a luxury and it cannot wait. We’re here to remind you to invest in your health from head to toe, inside and out. 

Team Ellovi 🌺