Alright everybody, it’s summer. It’s over 100° here in Phoenix daily, and it is just too hot to be covering ourselves up. Most of us are finding ways to relieve the heat, like going to the lake, jumping in the pool, or cooling down with some chilled desserts. My question to you is, have you thought about how you’re taking care of your skin during the heat?

Since our skin is really exposed in the summer and we’re wearing looser clothing, we often don’t think about other ways to ensure our skin barrier is healthy and helping us sweat properly so that our body stays cool. A little biology first to understand why we sweat: sweating helps cool our body by releasing heat through our skin and breath. If we restrict the skin’s ability to expel that heat, we risk increasing our internal body temperature unnecessarily. So, when we block the skin barrier, we need to pay attention to the ingredients of the products we’re using.

Let’s tackle some of the main ways we can help keep our skin barrier healthy so it, in turn, can help keep us cool.

Sunscreen Sunscreen protects your skin from harmful UV rays, which can cause sunburn and increase the risk of skin cancer. It’s important to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and to reapply it every two hours, especially if you’re swimming or sweating. When selecting a sunscreen, I recommend looking for a mineral-based product and sticking to lotion applications when possible.

Deodorant Choosing a natural deodorant can reduce your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals found in conventional deodorants, such as aluminum, parabens, and artificial fragrances. Natural deodorants often use ingredients like baking soda, coconut oil, and essential oils, which are gentler on the skin and can minimize irritation. Additionally, natural deodorants support the body’s natural sweating process without blocking sweat glands, promoting overall skin health.

Body Wash Natural body wash helps maintain and support the skin barrier because it typically contains gentle, plant-based ingredients free from harsh chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances. These natural ingredients, such as aloe vera, coconut oil, and shea butter, nourish and hydrate the skin without stripping away its natural oils. By preserving the skin’s moisture and protecting it from irritation, natural body wash can help keep the skin barrier intact, promoting healthier, more resilient skin.

General Grooming (yep, we are talking about body hair) Body hair helps regulate our temperature by assisting in the process of sweat evaporation. When we sweat, the moisture clings to body hair and spreads over a larger surface area, which can enhance cooling as the sweat evaporates. On the other hand, having less body hair might make it easier for sweat to evaporate directly from the skin, which can also be cooling. Both having body hair and not having it offer different ways to help manage heat and stay cool. To each their own.

So now what products do I recommend? I am not fancy enough to be sponsored so these are just ones I have tried and like based on performance and ingredients:

​Badger Mineral Sunscreen Cream​

​Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap​

​Each & Every Deodorant​

​Purely Great Deodorant​

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Coach Jen

Summer Smoothie Trying to beat the heat? Let's focus on cooling ingredients that add hydration. Simple sub if you don't want the banana, switch it out for frozen cauliflower to keep the smoothie texture. Recipe Here

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