With the peak of summer blazing down on us, the human body’s largest organ is at its most vulnerable. Hours upon hours are spent during the summer months outdoors and under the rays of the sun. Not only does your body deserve to be protected against harmful UV rays, it also deserves to be properly hydrated.

Dry Skin?

No one knows your skin as well as you do. Make a habit of checking your skin daily for signs of dehydration. Knowing what to look for is half of the battle. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you may notice your skin becoming dry, itchy, flaky or worse, sun burnt. Prolonged sun exposure can lead to side effects of skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. Such conditions include inflammation of the skin with reddish patches that may cause severe dryness in the form of scaly, cracked areas on the surface of the skin. Unhealthy skin can lead to discomfort on many levels. If you experience painful burning or stinging sensations, your skin is calling out for help!

The Enemy

Stay away from mineral oil! The molecular structure of mineral oil is larger than a human pore causing a barrier that prevents absorption and proper conditioning. This makes mineral oil one of the skin’s greatest enemies. Check the label before buying skin care products to make sure you are protecting yourself from mineral oil. Also an adversary, lanolin causes more allergic reactions than any other skin care ingredient in the world. A yellow fatty oil obtained from the wool of sheep, lanolin contains a mixture of fatty acids and organic salts. Although salts offer strong exfoliating properties, it is vital to exfoliate and then moisturize rather than combine the two steps into one.

Natural Remedy

Protect your skin from environmental damage by keeping it properly hydrated. Choosing a lotion based in aloe vera could be one of the wisest skin care decisions of your life. Native to Mediterranean region, the aloe plant is a natural healer. The mucilaginous gel extracted from the leaves of the aloe plant offers immense healing and soothing properties.

In addition to moisturizing your skin, you should also be certain that your skin is getting the nutrients it requires for a healthy glow. Vitamins A, C, D, E and K all help fight environmental damage and are proven to help reduce the signs of aging.

The Cure

Healthy skin requires the moisturizing properties of aloe vera combined with vitamins and botanical extracts without harming your skin with mineral oil and lanolin. Where can you find such a product? While you may be able to find something suitable by reading labels where you normally shop, you may still fall prey to other unhealthy ingredients. Your local health store, spa, beautician, or boutique can be an invaluable resource. Ask what skin care products might be right for you. Caren products, for example, provide a therapeutic remedy for all skin conditions. Doctor recommended for the treatment of dry skin, eczema, psoriasis and burns from radiation and chemotherapy, it is available in six light scents as well as unscented, and a portion of the profits from the sale of Caren products goes to the Caren Singer Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.

As you drink your next glass of water, remember that your skin is thirsty, too. Summer skin can be healthy skin.