Summer In The City: Ingredients To Calm Summer Skin
By Jean Eng
Summer can bring skin problems for people with Pitta imbalances. A Pitta imbalance can be caused by hot, humid weather, stressful lifestyles, and a diet over-abundant in hot, spicy, acidic, and oily foods. One of the most visible and disturbing symptoms of Pitta imbalance is red, inflamed skin and, in most cases, acne. So how do we bring our doshas back to balance and reduce the visible signs of Pitta imbalance on our faces? We cannot control the weather but we can reduce the stress in our daily lives with meditation and pay extra attention to our diet and skincare. Remember – it’s not just our appearance that is affected when we are inflamed; we must be aware of our internal health as well.
Here are some soothing and hydrating ingredients to look for during these summer months to keep your Pitta in balance. The best part is that many of these can be used internally as well as externally, and there are many delicious, healthy dishes that incorporate these ingredients to calm inflamed skin from the inside out.
Aloe Vera: It’s no secret that Aloe Vera juice is beloved in the summer for its soothing properties, especially when applied after sun to soothe sunburns. This juice, extracted from the Aloe Vera plant, is useful for healing a variety of dry skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis as it is an extremely anti-inflammatory ingredient that increases cellular hydration. Many Holistic Vanity products, including the Calming Aloe Kumari Cleanser, uses Aloe Vera juice as its cooling and calming base.
Pomegranate: Pomegranate has gained popularity in recent years due to its anti-aging properties and is often referred to as a super food. It is a delicious, sweet fruit to taste and is even better when applied on the skin as it can stimulate the skin’s self-repair and regeneration. Filled with antioxidants that fight damaging free radicals, Pomegranate Seed extract is a powerful anti-inflammatory and improves the skin’s elasticity, making it more resilient against breakage, damage, and irritation. Pomegranate is a key ingredient in Holistic Vanity’s Soothing Pomegranate Seed Lotion.
Calendula: Calendula, a powerful healing plant, has been used internally and externally for centuries because of its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. It is featured in many natural skincare products to treat dry, sensitive, and Pitta-imbalanced skin, effectively reducing redness and internal inflammation. It is a hero ingredient in Holistic Vanity’s Anti-inflam Calendula Tonic and Holistic VaniTEA’s Anti-inflammatory Tea.
Cucumber: This water-rich vegetable is a popular staple in cooling recipes and anti-inflammatory skincare. Whether it’s in a salad or skincare product, cucumbers help cool the internal heat that causes much of the redness for inflamed skin. Because of its calming and cooling properties, our Calming Cucumber Mask is especially popular among clients with dry, sensitive, rosacea-prone skin, especially during the summer months.
Hyaluronic acid, Seaweed, Honey: Besides external factors, dehydration is also a trigger for sensitive, inflamed skin. That is why many anti-inflammatory products and treatments also focus on restoring skin hydration. Feeding your skin and body with hydrating ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, Seaweed (Algae), and Honey can greatly improve skin appearance and overall health. These are all ingredients that increase water-retention and skin health and are featured in products such as Holistic Vanity’s Brightening Hyaluronic Lotion, Pure + simple’s Algae Serum, and Collagen Elastin HCH and Plus.
Camellia: Derived from Green Tea leaves, Camellia is an incredibly nourishing and anti-inflammatory ingredient. It is perfect for treating chronically red and inflamed skin, advanced rosacea, and dry, sensitive skin that is prone to eczema and/or dermatitis. It is used in Holistic Vanity’s Comforting Camellia Oil to nourish delicate skin, strengthen its protection barrier, promote wound healing, and soothe irritation.
When we pay attention to our diet, lifestyle, and skincare choices, the heat of the summer doesn’t have to affect our skin negatively. Keep cool with these anti-inflammatory ingredients for a stress-free summer!
For more information on reducing the negative effects of summer’s sun and heat on your skin, co-founder Jean Eng’s article in Tonic Magazine is an excellent resource.
