How's your skin feeling these days? In summer , especially at the beginning of it, it's easy for your skin to become irritated or damaged in other ways, such as cracked heels or sunburn.

Minor damage can be normal after three seasons of skin protection from clothing and footwear. However, if we neglect it, we can develop ailments that are no longer so normal , and it's important to try to prevent this from happening with preventive treatments. We must keep in mind that the skin is another organ of our body—the largest, in fact—that we must take care of.

At Alma Eko, we want to help you prevent and treat skin wear and tear with a few suggestions:

SUN PROTECTION

Obviously, the first thing we should focus on is protecting our skin from the sun . This is something we shouldn't neglect at any time of year for our health, but in summer we must be especially careful because ultraviolet rays are more intense, we tend to be more exposed because we do more outdoor activities and wear less clothing, and we are more likely to get sunburned.

Our suggestion is that you use physical sunscreen instead of chemical sunscreen. What's the difference?

• Physical filter sunscreens provide a protective layer for our skin thanks to their mineral compounds. One of the components that allows this, and which is usually the most common, is zinc oxide . The skin doesn't absorb these types of creams; instead, they create a film that prevents the sun's rays from penetrating .
• Instead, Chemical sunscreens do penetrate the skin , and when we expose ourselves to the sun, a chemical reaction occurs in the epidermis that renders UV rays harmless . Their components, many of them synthetic , 'force' our body to perform a function that, a priori, is not natural. This is why, in the most sensitive skin, they can cause irritation and allergies . Furthermore, these creams often contain parabens and silicones, elements considered by many experts to be potential toxins and endocrine disruptors , so they are not the best option for our health.

When the first physical filter creams were released, they were quite thick, difficult to spread, and tended to leave a whitish residue on the skin. Over time, manufacturers have developed more fluid consistencies that spread more easily and leave no residue .

With physical filter creams, you don't have to wait for your skin to absorb it before you can expose yourself to the sun . They offer protection from the moment you apply them. They're usually quite water-resistant , but you do need to use a little common sense. If you apply the cream in the morning and only take a quick dip during the day, there's no need to reapply it; however, if you take long dips or several throughout the day, it's a good idea to reapply it to avoid unnecessary risks.

At Alma Eko you will find two options for physical filter sunscreens:

• Sol de Ibiza sunscreen : for face and body, and you'll find it in three different varieties: with SPF 30 protection in a can, with SPF 50 protection in a can, and with SPF 50 protection in a stick.

• Fuka Eri Sunscreen : with SPF 50, also mineral. Suitable for the face, it offers a touch of color that evens out skin tone and helps cover imperfections such as spots and redness.

SKIN REFRESHMENT

In the summer, on vacation, we tend to spend more time outdoors, especially at the pool or the beach. The sun, hot air, and swimming in and out of the water can be quite drying to our skin . It's a good idea to have a mist-type product to apply to your face and body to restore moisture . At Alma Eko, you can find the Damask Rose Toner for this purpose . Apply it with a spray bottle to your skin and you'll immediately notice how it refreshes and acquires a delicate rose scent.

You can also make your own homemade mist with essential oils. We'll show you how in this Instagram live stream.

SOOTHING SHOWER

After a day at the beach or pool, our skin may need a little pick-me-up. If you want to give it a natural treatment, forget about conventional after-sun treatments . We suggest a soothing shower in three steps:

1. Use calendula soap , which has moisturizing properties and helps soothe irritated skin.
2. Exfoliate your skin with soft sponges. The perfect ally is the konjac sponge , which allows for effective yet non-irritating exfoliation. The exfoliating power of this sponge is surprising given how gentle it is. Another option is the soft side of This shower mitt is made of loofah on one side and organic cotton on the other.
3. Moisturize your skin after showering with a body lotion. The coconut , lime , and herbal lotions for sensitive skin from our online store not only deeply moisturize but also leave your skin feeling refreshed.

 Repairing Creams and Balms

We suggest completing your skincare routine after a summer day with repairing creams or balms that help damaged skin regenerate .

If you have specific areas that have suffered more than usual, such as your heels, the inside of your arms or legs, and even your lips, which tend to become dry and cracked, shea butter is your best ally . It has enormous moisturizing and repairing potential. At Alma Eko, you can find three different solutions containing this magical ingredient:

• Pure Shea Butter , unrefined and organically grown.

• Clemence & Vivien lip balms with shea and organic oils, available in three fragrances: Sweet citrus, almond milk and Summer Flowers . As well as those from the Matarrania brand: cinnamon and clove and mint .

• The Matarrania elbow and heel repair cream .

Plus, with pure, raw, and unrefined shea butter, you can easily make your own homemade cosmetics . We have a super-easy recipe for shea butter and coconut oil balm on the blog.

We hope the tips we've shared in this post will help you have healthy skin this summer .