Effective After-Sun Skincare With Aromatherapy
Learn how to protect, replenish and hydrate your skin with our effective after-sun skincare tips.
Getting out into the sunshine is one of the best things about summer, especially if you are a sun-starved Brit! But around the world, countries are experiencing record temperatures caused by climate change and it’s now easier than ever to overcook your skin, leaving it dry and parched, or even burned.
Continual over-exposure to the sun can lead to photo-aging which is characterized by age spots (hyperpigmentation), dry leathery-textured skin, fine lines and wrinkles. This is because the collagen fibres in your skin become damaged, and this important protein provides structure and elasticity to your skin. So when collagen breaks down, the skin can become less firm and more prone to sagging, dryness, and wrinkles.
Balancing act
Dermatologists and scientists have known for many years that we need adequate amounts of daily sunlight to stay healthy. Vitamin D is vital for the development of healthy bones and normal growth, and clinical tests now suggest that vitamin D may block the growth of malignant tumors. These days, to enjoy the all benefits of sunlight it’s now more important than ever to protect your skin with sun-screen and wear a hat and long sleeves while you are outdoors.
But it doesn’t end there. You also need to ensure that you hydrate and replenish your skin as soon as you get back indoors with a suitable after-sun treatment. Too much sun will dry out your skin, causing havoc with your complexion that can often prove hard to fix. A sense of balance is all that’s needed for you to enjoy the benefits of the sun without suffering the dry, rough, leathery skin and deep wrinkles caused by years of excessive tanning. The damage caused by UV radiation accumulates over time, so the effects of too much sun when you are young may not be seen until later in your life.
Replenishing act
During the summer, this means as well as using a broad-spectrum sunscreen before going out, you need a replenishing after-sun skin care treatment to rehydrate and soothe your skin. As soon as you get home after spending hours in the sun, wash your skin thoroughly and apply a deep-moisturising lotion or cream, such as Quinessence After-sun Lotion or our Aloe Vera & Lavender Gel. Although sunscreens do contain moisturising agents, your skin really needs something that packs a bigger punch when it comes to replenishing your skins moisture. This ultra-soothing and rehydrating lotion containing organic rose geranium, Roman chamomile and lavender helps to hydrate and rebalance the skin after exposure to the sun.
Aromatherapy after-sun skincare
Central to your summer after-sun skin care treatments should be regular use of your aromatherapy carrier oils, since they have moisturising, softening and protecting properties that are absolutely perfect for keeping your skin in good condition during the hot summer weather. As well as preventing the loss of moisture, carrier oils can be used effectively to support the skin’s natural moisture balance to maintain a healthy skin barrier.
Carrier oils can single-handedly provide all the nutrients your skin needs to recover from the effects of the drying summer sun. Rich carrier oil such as argan, jojoba, macadamia and moringa are absolutely perfect for after-sun treatments because they all contain the skin-loving essential fatty acids that are necessary to nourish, moisturise and keep skin soft. Using these natural carrier oils regularly can prevent your skin from drying out, and encourages a soft and youthful complexion.
Argan carrier oil in particular is fantastic for this purpose due to its unique chemical composition that deeply nourishes the skin and softens wrinkles. Of course, you can add some essential oils to these carrier oils to produce an even more powerful skin beautifying treatment. Here are some simple but highly effective after-sun kin care recipes;-
Dry Skin Blend
• 1 drop of sandalwood
• 1 drop of palmarosa
• 1 drop of rose otto
• 15mls of argan or jojoba carrier oil
Oily Skin Blend
• 1 drop of lemon
• 1 drop of geranium
• 1 drop of cypress
• 15mls of peach carrier oil
Soothing Blend
• 1 drop of lavender
• 1 drop of geranium
• 1 drop of Roman chamomile
• 15mls of macadamia carrier oil
Revitalising Blend
• 1 drop of frankincense
• 1 drop of neroli
• 1 drop of lavender
• 15mls of rosehip or macadamia carrier oil
Sunburn blend
• 2 drops of lavender
• 1 drop of Roman chamomile
• 15mls of aloe vera gel base
The amazing healing, moisturising and anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera make it the ideal base for treating sunburn. If you do not have any to hand you can of course use an aromatherapy lotion or cream base instead. Try adding a skin-loving carrier oil to your aloe vera gel, cream or lotion base to provide some extra moisture and emollience for your skin if it is dry and flaky. If you prefer your products ready to go, Quinessence After-Sun Lotion contains soothing and healing essential oils, plus moisturising botanicals to help rehydrate and replenish your skin.
We all know a tan looks great, but these days its easier than ever to get your desired golden glow safely out of a bottle, without risking any long-term damage to your skin. Enjoy the sunshine, but not to the extent that you risk causing premature aging of your skin, since this damage can not be reversed. To keep your skin in perfect condition you should always put back what the outdoor elements take out of your skin, no matter what the season. And there is nothing more effective for after-sun skin care than aromatherapy!
