Summer is synonymous with lazing around... When it comes to our skin too, we tend to do less.
If you're going on vacation, it's normal to try to aim for a more minimalist routine to avoid taking 1000 bottles with you.
And then, once the skin has had a little sun, we proudly display our tanned complexion and we put less product on our face. In addition, you have probably noticed that you have fewer imperfections, fewer spots. Everything seems perfect!
But this pretty skin is only temporary, it is only the tip of the iceberg... When your skin is no longer regularly exposed to the sun, you will surely notice an outbreak of spots. This is called the rebound effect.
Believe me, having a good skincare routine even in summer is essential to avoid disasters at the start of the school year!
The sun is necessary for our body, in particular because it helps to synthesize vitamin D. On a moral level too, sunny days are always welcome. The sun also reduces melatonin levels (linked to stress and depression). Exposure to the sun in small doses can also help alleviate certain skin conditions, such as psoriasis or acne because it has an anti-inflammatory action.
But the sun also has negative impacts on our skin. UVA rays, which pass through the skin to the dermis (2nd layer of the skin), accelerate skin aging: they cause pigment spots and reduce the production of collagen and elastin, promoting the appearance of wrinkles.
THE SKIN, A NATURAL BARRIER AGAINST SUN DAMAGETo protect itself from these attacks, the skin has a natural barrier: tanning. Indeed, melanocytes produce melanin from the first exposure to the sun. Melanin is a natural pigment that colors our skin little by little with exposure.
But that's not all, the skin has another means of protection against the sun: hyperkeratinization. This very complicated word is used to designate the phenomenon of thickening of the stratum corneum (the most superficial part of the epidermis) and tightening of pores .
To protect themselves from dehydration and UV rays, keratinocytes will produce more cells which will accumulate on the surface of the skin, resulting in thicker skin. The skin then constitutes a natural barrier against UV rays.
Sebum, naturally produced by the skin and which flows through the pores, therefore finds itself stuck under the stratum corneum.
Hence the feeling of clearer skin during the summer, less oily, drier.
Be careful, this skin barrier has its limits! It is essential to expose yourself in moderation and always apply a sunscreen to protect your skin optimally.
AND WHEN BACK TO SCHOOL, WHAT HAPPENS TO MY SKIN?
As soon as the skin is no longer subjected to strong exposure to UV rays, it returns to its normal thickness. The pores also return to their usual diameter.
Result: the sebum accumulated so far under the stratum corneum flows freely. It's the return of oily skin, inflammation and imperfections! Ouch...
Don't panic, there are solutions to avoid this rebound effect! To avoid this sudden return of spots at the start of the school year, there are several actions to implement in your skincare routine.
1/ APPLY SUNSCREEN AT EACH EXPOSURE
Sun filters will limit the action of UV rays on the skin by reflecting them. This will limit the thickening of the skin.
I recommend the Biosolis range , which contains mineral filters.
2/ CARRY OUT GENTLE SCRUBS REGULARLY.
To maintain fine skin throughout the summer, it is necessary to exfoliate once a week . They will eliminate dead skin which quickly accumulates on the surface of the skin, and unclog pores.
So if you were hesitant to take a scrub with you in your suitcase, believe me, this product has its place in your vacation kit!
You can do peels based on fruit acids (AHA). They will nibble dead cells on the surface of the skin (e.g. Likami regenerating serum ). Be careful because these types of peels are photosensitizing: use them in the evening.
There are also gentle scrubs, called mechanical scrubs . Be careful here to choose fine grains, suitable for the more sensitive skin of the face. You can choose scrubs based on clay (like Indigène's powder cleanser ), based on apricot kernels (like Likami's exfoliating cream ), or silica (Bobone offers one for dry and one for combination and oily skin ).
3/ CONTINUE TO CLEAN YOUR SKIN WELL
Sunscreen, sweat, sand, sea salt... At the end of the day, the skin feels sticky!
It is essential to clean it properly before going to have an aperitif at the restaurant. Here, I strongly recommend the double cleansing method : oil + cleanser. The oil will help remove even the most stubborn sunscreen!
You now understand better how your skin naturally protects itself from the sun and how it works in summer, when it is exposed to UV rays.
The solutions to avoid the rebound effect and its spots after the holidays are quite simple: one key word, regularity . It's important to keep good habits throughout the year, even on vacation, with constant hydration, weekly exfoliation and good skin cleansing every evening, without forgetting to apply a good sunscreen!