The season of sun and sand is upon us.
Before you throw caution to the wind for a summer of pure fun, here are some ways you may exercise mindfulness while making the most of your vacation.
Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
A common problem experienced in summer is dehydration. Amidst all the fun and moving about, we often neglect our water intake. A useful tip to remain hydrated is to infuse your water with fruits and herbs. Not only does it taste good and keeps us wanting more, it also introduces additional nutrients into your diet. For a great summer recipe, try a combination of citrus fruits, berries and peppermint leaves.
While keeping hydration levels in check, be mindful of your environmental impact. Swap disposable plastic water bottles for reusable and biodegradable ones. Every minute, one million plastic bottles are bought around the world. Only 9% are recycled.1 Our favourite high-quality bottles are from S’well and Soma, for stainless steel and glass options respectively. If you have to get bottled water, seek out a recycling bin when you're done.
Keep oily skin in check
For those of us who already have oily skin, the increased temperature and humidity could cause oil glands to go into overdrive, contributing to clogged pores and irritable skin. As a rule of thumb, different seasons call for different body products, in particular moisturisers. While that rich, creamy lotion works wonders in the winter, consider a lightweight moisturiser for the summer that allows your skin to breathe and does not clog pores. Turn to gel-based or oil-based moisturisers, as opposed to cream-based formulas.
For optimum moisture without being greasy, look to the Aloe Vera and Lavender Body Oil Mist or Coconut and Seaweed Body Oil. For oily scalp and hair, check out our Kieffer Lime Shampoo, proud winner of this year’s Harper’s Bazaar Hair Awards.
Tame that frizz
Amidst higher humidity, frizzy hair is also a cause of concern. Here’s how it happens: our hair cuticles, structured like roof slates, absorb atmospheric moisture between these layers, causing the cuticles to curl up and raise, resulting in frizzy hair. This also means that dry hair is more susceptible to frizziness, being more absorbent and therefore reactive to humid conditions.
One of the best ways to combat frizzy hair is to switch to sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners. Conventional sulfates (like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) tend to be too strong as cleansing agents, stripping skin and hair of natural oils, drying it out2. Ditching sulfates helps maintain stronger and healthier hair in the long run, no matter the season.
It is also beneficial to indulge in deep conditioning treatments a couple of times a week, in the form of a hair mask or overnight leave-in conditioner.
Screen Up
While basking in the sun, appropriate precautions should be taken. Prolonged sun exposure contributes to premature skin aging and various forms of skin cancer. In general, try to to stay out of the sun from 12pm to 4pm and wear a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects you from both UV-A and UV-B rays.3
The environmental effects of sunscreen are being increasingly discussed. The Hawaiian government has recently banned sunscreen products containing oxybenzone and octinoxate after they've been found to contribute to coral reef bleaching when washed into the ocean4. For a reef-safe sunscreen, seek out those containing only mineral UV filters (in the form of non-nano titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.)
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Banyan Tree Coconut & Seaweed Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 is a coral reef-safe, non-nano mineral based sunscreen. Free from chemical UV filters, it uses natural and biodegradable minerals Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide to provide broad spectrum protection while protecting the ocean.
To shop, or to learn more about Banyan Tree products, visit Natural Bath & Body Spa Products | Formerly Banyan Tree Gallery – Banyan Tree Essentials For any enquiry, contact us at essentials@banyantree.com.
References
1. We're Now At A Million Plastic Bottles Per Minute - 91% Of Which Are Not Recycled - https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2017/07/26/million-plastic-bottles-minute-91-not-recycled/#36aefee0292c
2. Everything You Need to Know About Sulfates and Sulfate-Free Products - https://www.teenvogue.com/story/sulfates-and-sulfate-free-beauty-products-facts
3. UVA & UVB - https://www.skincancer.org/prevention/uva-and-uvb
4. Hawaii to ban certain sunscreens harmful to coral reefs - https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43993407