Our cold, pale winter skin greets the warm, golden sun with anticipation as the first rays of sun begin to shine, but somewhere along the line, that gentle, welcoming glow can leave our skin dehydrated, flaky, itchy and dull. Before the heat intensifies, get ready for summer by taking some preventative measures to nourish and protect your skin. Replace that dry and dehydrated look with a healthy tan by following these essential skin treatment tips.
1. Hydrate -- from the outside in
Everyone’s number one tip is to “drink plenty of water.” But AIRE Ancient Baths is going to put a different spin on this timeless classic: don’t just drink water -- soak in it. Internal hydration is essential, nourishing your skin from the inside out, but letting your skin drink water externally is also beneficial -- and arguably much more fun and relaxing. The ancient Greeks were on to something with their tradition of thermal baths. AIRE has tapped into this age-old secret by recreating these holistic healing sanctuaries. You can cool off in the cold-water Frigidarium, relax in the warm-water Tepidarium, hydrate with the aromatherapy-infused steam of the Laconicum or enjoy the ocean-like freedom of the salt-water Flotarium. Each bath has its own unique skin benefits. Warm water will open the pores, detoxify and soothe tight skin. Cold water will shrink pores and calm the sting of sunburn. Salt water will nourish your skin with minerals. The options are infinite. There is nothing like a good soak to calm dehydrated skin and rejuvenate the body.
2. Moisturize deeply
But here’s the catch with tip #1: soaking in water is only hydrating if you follow up with deep moisturizing. Applying a hydrating lotion or oil to the skin right after a bath, especially if the skin is still slightly damp, helps lock in the moisture your skin was just exposed to. Otherwise, it will simply evaporate. This is why AIRE offers packages like The Ancient Argan Ritual, which not only gives you access to a tour the thermal baths, but also offers a full-body massage with warm Argan oil, an ancient Berber skincare secret that has withstood the test of time. Argan oil provides natural hydration, soothes dry skin, fights free radicals with its high antioxidant content. Regular moisturization with natural oils like Argan oil or mild lotions without harsh chemicals or artificial fragrances is key to protecting the skin and preventing it from drying out in the hot summer sun.
3. Exfoliate carefully
With repeated sun exposure, dry skin cells can build up on the surface, making our skin look dull and creating a barrier that prevents moisturizers from reaching the healthy skin underneath that is in desperate need of care. To solve this, adopt a gentle exfoliation skincare routine that will softly remove dead skin without irritating it. A Luffa is an excellent exfoliator, for example. It is a natural plant that safely buffs away unwanted skin cells to reveal the real you. If you’d like to test out the healing powers of luffa, book a slot at AIRE for The Vegan Experience. This session, sponsored by Ayuna, an all-natural brand that promotes conscious living, makes this exfoliating sponge the star by throwing in a 15-minute full-body luffa scrub, followed by a 45-minute massage with Ayuna’s special 100% vegan creme. Himalayan salt is also an excellent exfoliator as well as detoxifier, infusing your skin with essential minerals. Try out AIRE’s Himalayan Salt Experience, which includes a 20-minute salt exfoliation session and a 60-minute full-body massage with hot Himalayan salt stones that will loosen up your tense muscles and energize your tired body. Nature has the best skincare resources and AIRE makes full use of them.
4. Protect your skin from the sun
While this tip has been said and done, it deserves an honorable mention because we sometimes forget it in the midst of our summer excitement. Too often, we rush off to the beach without remembering to slather on some sunscreen and we end up paying for it dearly later on. Whenever you expect to be out in the sun follow our tips for prepare your skin for the summer: make sure to wear sunscreen and reapply every couple of hours, especially if you’re sweating or swimming, as these activities can wash it off. Get fashionable and wear a wide-brimmed hat to keep the harsh sun off your delicate face and hair. Take a break in the shade of a tree, especially at midday.
We all love the sun and rightly so. It provides Vitamin D, boosts our mood and makes our skin look golden. But all things in moderation. You are bound to come across those unbearably hot days when the sun is high and beating down on your sensitive, dehydrated skin. On those days, it’s best to swap your outdoor activities for some indoor ones. Trade the beach for one of AIRE’s indoor baths for a few days. Your skin will thank you.
5. Relax holistically
Skincare is as much about caring for your mind as it is about finding the right treatments for your skin. When you’re stressed, your skin may not look its best and become more prone to irritation. Take some time this summer to breathe deeply and restore. Maybe sign up for a yoga class or spend some time doing a creative activity like painting or dancing. Choose whichever AIRE experience speaks to you and carve out some time to indulge in some deep, holistic mind-body relaxation. In the long run, you’ll find that relaxation time leads to improved skin health overall.
