Summer is fast approaching and I have been thinking about my skin needs as this hot + sweaty season approaches. It’s one of those things that you either love or wrestle with daily so I wanted to shed some light on how to create a summer skincare routine that you’ll love.
And starting from the inside out. Because everything is better when you support the root and your skin is no different.
Your skin health starts on the inside and I’m not talking about your kind heart reflecting on the outside…though that is also very important!
I’m talking about how the health of your internal environment affects the health of your external environment, aka your skin! As in what you eat and how your body is functioning on the daily. Blood sugar and insulin balance, gut health and nutrient deficiencies, hormones, allergies – they can all affect the appearance and feel of your skin, blemishes, hydration...all of it.
So let’s dig into the inside for a bit and how to create more balance there and then I want to share a few of my go-to summer skin loving products I can’t live without!
Healthy Skin, From the Inside-Out
Gut health
The health of your gut is hugely important to the health of your skin. A big factor is that in order for your skin to obtain the benefits of the healthy fats you take in, the vitamin C, the protein – you have to be able to properly break down the food, superfoods and supplements you’re taking in. Focusing on real, nutrient-dense foods that nourish will help to feed the good bacteria and create healthier gut function (think foods like plentiful organic vegetables, some fruit, sustainably raised, organic meat and poultry, wild fish, nuts and seeds and healthy fats like butter, coconut and olive oils and avocado). Avoiding processed sugar, grains and dairy will help stave off some of the “bad” bacteria that can be problematic to your skin and so many other areas of your health.
A few more simple ways to improve your gut health on the daily –– try to relax during meal times by beginning with a few deep breaths and prayer, chew your food very well, slowly incorporate foods with beneficial bacteria like raw sauerkraut and kimchi, take a good quality, multi-strain probiotic and avoid prescription drugs whenever possible.
Blood sugar balance
Keeping your blood sugar stable not only influences your energy and weight, but can have an impact on your skin as well. Excess sugar intake (from sweets, processed grains, heavy carbohydrate diet) over a period of time can lead to insulin resistance causing dark patches on the skin to appear as well as increased acne.
The awesome thing is that balancing blood sugar is pretty simple––balance your meals with a little protein, healthy fats and slow carbs like veggies or soaked oats. And keep the sweets to a minimum, always working to “upgrade” to real food ingredients for your favorite treats (think raw honey, coconut sugar or pure maple syrup).
This recipe is my go-to for a little something sweet that won’t bust up your blood sugar!
Balancing hormones
Oh this is a big one and can be at the root of so many skin struggles, among other things. Too much estrogen or too little, too much testosterone or cortisol, low progesterone levels...they can all play a role in your skin’s appearance...not to mention how you feel day to day!
Keeping your hormonal orchestra fine tuned is key to a more stable mood, regular and less symptomatic periods, optimizing fertility and you guessed it, better skin health.
Focusing your efforts on keeping stress low, eating real food, avoiding processed sugar, keeping blood sugar balanced and a healthy gut will all help to support health hormones and their skin benefits!
If you want to dig even deeper into how to create amazing skin from the inside way (the most effective way to do it!), I highly recommend grabbing a copy of Primally Pure’s Holistic Skincare Guide –– expert insights and practical tips for nutrition, lifestyle and topical products to create healthy, clear skin naturally. And, I had the honor to write the Nutrition-focused section! Grab your copy here!
Topical Love
Now that we’ve looked inside, let’s move on to the outside…topical products. Because the quality of the products you slather on your body + face matter...like, big time.
I’ve found that so many of my fertility clients feel the same way when it comes to their skincare routine, “I don’t care what’s in it, I just want it to work!”
Girl, I get it.
But here’s my feeling–you shouldn’t have to sacrifice your health for your skincare’s performance. Period.
And for the summer months, your skin may need some extra TLC with all the sun-kissed moments.
Here are my GO-TO products for glowy, beautiful summer skin (with or without makeup!), without the health-busting chemmies...
Cleansing Oil
I’ve been oil cleansing for about 3 years and I’m totally hooked. I used to fear oil on my face because I didn’t understand how it worked. Oil cleansing actually helps pull makeup, dirt and other impurities from your skin and you also benefit from the facial massage you give yourself for a minute or two...win-win.
I do this most nights of the week and it’s such a welcome deep breath and mini-spa treatment at the end of the day. Oh, and Primally Pure just nails it every time on the clean beauty train.
How to Use It: Massage a quarter-sized dollop of cleansing oil onto dry facial skin for 60 seconds. Wet a clean washcloth with warm water and place it onto face until washcloth cools. Gently wipe away impurities + excess oil with washcloth.
Check out this video to see it first hand!
Psst...use code “JUSTINE10” to get 10% off your first Primally Pure order!
Overnight Resurfacing Peel
This product is gold. It’s a leave on AHA/BHA peel that improves skin texture while you sleep. Sold.
Peels are awesome but most are formulated with questionable or unsafe ingredients. The Overnight Resurfacing Peel is formulated without synthetic fragrances, PEGs or formaldehyde-based preservatives that may be found in other peels.
This peel was formulated for all skin types and those experiencing dull, uneven skin tone and has been clinically proven to boost skin radiance and improve skin texture. It has both resurfacing acids and soothing acids to avoid irritating the skin and aid in cell turnover.
How to Use It: Apply one or two pumps to a clean face every other night. Allow it to dry, about 3-5 minutes, then top with a moisturizer or serum (the All Bright C Serum is amazing or this Plumping Serum). Leave on overnight and in the morning, do your usual skincare routine!
When using the peel, make sure to apply sunscreen if you’ll be outside.
Shop the Overnight Resurfacing Peel here!
All Bright C Serum
For overall skin health, age defense and that bright, dewy glow––vitamin C is the holy grail. Honestly, this has been my favorite skincare product in a long time because of the results I’ve experienced. My skin tone is more even (and I’ve had a few people comment on this, even without makeup on!).
The ultra-stable vitamin C in this formula, alongside the turmeric root and camu camu fruit extracts help to brighten skin, reduce the appearance of dark spots and create a more youthful and even skin tone. No ethoxylated products (like PEGs) or synthetic dyes and every ingredient goes through a vigorous selection process to ensure safety...per the usual with Beautycounter!
How to Use It: Great for all skin types (though I always recommend those with sensitive skin to do a patch test first), apply to face, neck and décolletage in the morning after cleansing and toning or on top of the Overnight Resurfacing Peel before bed.
Shop the All Bright C Serum here!
Gua Sha
Obsessed. Think Botox, but without the face paralyzing chemmies! I have been using my gua sha stone by the recommendation of Courtney, Primally Pure’s Holistic Esthetitian, and I absolutely love the ritual and the results.
How to Use It: Watch this video tutorial and grab your own stone here!
Flawless in Five
Especially during the weird quarantine time when there was literally no where to go, I made sure to get myself ready most mornings because this little routine always helps me feel more awake and productive. The Flawless in Five was my go to because I felt like I had done my makeup, but it wasn’t a long process and didn’t feel heavy.
This is the best intro to safer makeup, if you’re still struggling to make the swap! There are six better beauty products that are all customizable (including their new Skin Twin which I am loving) – a foundation or tinted moisturizer, concealer pen, brow gel or pencil, mascara, blush and lipgloss.
This is the perfect way to freshen up and feel put together on a summer morning, but not feel overly done up for a day out and about or relaxing at home.
Add ons: For a little something more, like getting dolled up for a date night or a summer get together with friends, I love this bronzer, this blush, this eyeshadow and this mattifying powder! And I never leave home without a little lip color, I love this lipsheer and this lipstick!
How to Use It: Choose your colors and “put your face on” (as my Grandma always says) in under five minutes!
Countersun Mist Sunscreen
This one is a no-brainer! But honestly, when you’re learning about safer ingredients, sunscreen can be alarming and one of the dirtiest products in our summer routine. I’ve tried so many and there are a few I’ve liked, but Beautycounter’s Countersun sunscreen mist is by far my favorite.
It’s easy to use with the air powered mist and is formulated with non-nano zinc to protect against UVA + UVB rays...and doesn’t mess with the coral reefs. Whew!
The Countersun line has a mist, lotion, stick and a new Daily Sheer Defense SPF 25 for your face!
The Countersun products are safe on pregnant and nursing mamas as well as their little ones. I protected my babes from the sun all together until around 6-8 months then if we couldn’t avoid the sun, I used the lotion or mist to protect baby’s precious skin.
How to Use It: Apply generously to whatever area of the body will be exposed to the sun and make sure to reapply every 80 minutes or so, especially if you’re enjoying time in the water!
I hope this helps you find a summer beauty + skincare routine (both inside and out) that helps you love on that beautiful body of yours!
