7 Skin-Saving Ingredients for Summer

Summer is the apex of fun and freedom. Unfortunately, it can also be the height of skin damage. During the summer months, while you’re enjoying more time outdoors, the sun is at its maximum elevation, and UV radiation is at its peak. That means skin needs some extra care to avoid age-accelerating damage. The hot months can also mean increased breakouts triggered by sun, sweat, and pore-clogging products. Now is a good time to take a look at your routine and incorporate ingredients to help keep skin smooth, radiant, and damage-free. Here’s our shortlist for your summer skin-saving essentials.

SPF

Sun protection tops the list all year, but especially during the summer months when UV radiation is on full blast, and you’re likely spending more time outdoors. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily and reapply every two hours, or immediately following swimming or sweating. SPF 30 is plenty. Anything more provides only marginally increased protection while exposing you to unnecessary chemicals. For daily sun protection and moisture alone or under makeup, Day Treatment Lotion SPF 15 is a non-comedogenic solution for all skin types.

Salicylic Acid

Summer skin is sweaty, oily skin. That, along with sunscreen and makeup, can create the perfect conditions for breakouts. Stay a step ahead of flare-ups by adding some salicylic acid into your regimen to keep pores flushed out and free of debris. Find it in Vivant’s refining and clarifying single use Daily Repair Pads. Easy to toss in your travel or gym bag for a quick refresh anytime.

Witch Hazel

This anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant astringent is perfect for keeping summer skin balanced and refined. Its high polyphenolic flavonoid content makes it a free radical scavenger meaning it fights against cell damage from exposure to UV radiation and pollutants. Plus, nature’s antiseptic clears away excess oil, dissolves dirt, and fights bacteria that clog pores and feed acne. All good properties any time of the year, but especially right about now. Increase your glow and resist future breakouts with Vivant’s Normalizing Tonic formulated with witch hazel, glycolic acid, and lactic acid for a gently exfoliating clean and calm.

Aloe

Best known as an after-sun soother, aloe also offers significant protective effect against UV damage to the skin when applied before sun exposure. Aloe stimulates an antioxidant protein, metallothionein, in the skin, which scavenges free radicals and protects the body’s most powerful antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Its bonus superpower is tyrosinase inhibition. This wonder ingredient contains an enzyme that suppresses melanin to keep summer from leaving its mark on your skin in the form of dark spots. It’s also the perfect non-greasy hydrator for summer skin. For light, oil-free hydration that absorbs quickly and leaves skin feeling refreshed and lightly firmed try Totaloe Calming and Hydrating Gel.

Vitamin C

Topical application of this essential antioxidant significantly reduces the age-accelerating effects of summer sun and oxidative stress including fine lines and dark spots. Plus, as a critical player in the synthesis of collagen, vitamin C boosts regenerative repair and elasticity. For a radiant glow and consistent tone this summer and all year long, Vivant’s Pure C + E is your go-to.

Green Tea Extract

Because of its exceptionally high phenolic content, green tea extract is extremely effective in protecting and repairing skin from UV damage. This antioxidant warrior neutralizes harmful free radicals, spurs rapid cell regeneration, and helps maintain healthy collagen formation. Anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and mildly astringent properties make it ideal for acne prone skin as well. Find it in our gently purifying and intensely nourishing Green Tea Antioxidant Cleanser. Bonus: this versatile multi-tasker works equally well as a body wash, shaving gel, or shampoo.

Allantoin

Allantoin is a nucleotide that occurs naturally in the body and is also found in the comfrey plant. It’s considered nature’s sunblock because it absorbs the spectrum of UV radiation that damages cell’s DNA, though its better known for its healing, soothing, and anti-irritating properties. Find it in Vivant’s Allantoin Sedating & Hydrating Lotion, a non-greasy, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory lotion that can be worn under makeup or used at night as a reparative moisturizer.