Common Summer Skin Woes + What To Do About Them: Summer Skin Series Part 2

In this summer skin series, we’re helping you soak up the beauty of summer. Learn to care for your skin sans harmful products or side effects. 

→ Check out Part 1 for Tips to Protect Your Skin + Prevent Sun Damage

→ Check out Part 3 for The Best Products to Repair Dry or Sun-Damaged Skin

Today, we’re highlighting the most common summer skin concerns. Because rising temps, stronger rays, and shifting humidity can start to take a toll on your skin. 

And while summer heat and humidity can offer some beauty benefits, they definitely come with some summer skin woes, too. From excess sweat to sunburns or shaving issues, in this post, we’re unpacking:

• Why some skin issues are more prevalent during the summer 
• The best ways to proactively support your skin against seasonal stressors
• Tips for natural, holistic solutions that really work

Let’s explore how to keep your skin clear, your family covered, and your summer days carefree.

Summer Skin Woe #1: Excess Sweat 

We talk about sweating a LOT at Primally Pure – and in summer, it tops the list.

We all know higher humidity and temps typically = more sweating. But before we dive into the issues with excess summer sweat, let’s address the elephant in the room. Sweating is healthy (and completely normal ;)). 

Here’s what sweat can do for you:

• Regulate body temperature
• Support proper detoxification + lymphatic flow 
• Push debris from your pores (and in some cases, even provide moisturizing properties)
• Play a role in supporting heart health, muscle development, and a stronger immune system, especially when tied to exercise

Yep, it’s true: your sweat glands are essential to keep you cool and balanced this summer. So if you’re still using an antiperspirant or conventional deodorant, you’ll want to swap to a non-toxic deo ASAP to support your pits + summer skin.

(Plus, did you know you can actually sweat less once you switch to a natural deodorant? It’s a win-win.)

And while we do WANT to sweat, the reality is that excess sweat can get trapped in your pits. This can lead to itchiness, irritation, or inflammation. 

Here’s how you can embrace sweat, while resolving (+ preventing) the effects of this summer skin woe: 

• Make the swap to natural deodorant if you haven’t already. Antiperspirants stifle sweat, which is an essential bodily function. Conventional deodorants aren’t much better – they often contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

*Tip: If you're nervous about making the swap (or have had a bad experience in the past), check out this post.

→ SHOP: Non-Toxic Deodorant

• Practice mindful hygiene by rinsing off excess sweat. Sitting sweat could cause irritation or encourage the growth of bacteria if it sits for too long. 

*Tip: Choose a non-stripping body wash. Conventional formulas are often too harsh on the skin microbiome, making it more susceptible to irritation.

→ SHOP: Body Wash

• Keep a bottle of our Everything Spray on hand. Use to minimize bacteria, odor, and irritation. It’s great as a refresher throughout the day when a shower isn’t an option. It also contains anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. 

→ SHOP: Everything Spray

• Use our talc-free baby powder to boost absorption. You can use it pre- or post-sweat to soothe and minimize friction + irritation.

→ SHOP: Baby Powder

Summer Skin Woe #2: Shaving Issues

We all want our summer skin to be smooth, calm, and bump-free for bathing suit season!

Hair removal might feel like a necessary evil or dreaded chore, but it doesn’t have to come with painful side effects. There are numerous non-toxic ways to minimize summer skin problems following a shave, wax, or sugaring session. We're talking razor burn, cuts, irritating ingrowns, and painful rashes/redness.

Whether you’re a girl ready to hit the beach with a smooth bikini line or a guy who prefers the clean-shaven look, these tips are your go-to solutions for this summer skin woe:

• Be mindful of your hygiene around sweat. Cleanse the skin as soon as possible after sweating to prevent bacteria from building up. Bacteria from sweat can irritate your skin, weakening the barrier and setting you up for painful bumps and redness when it’s time for shaving or waxing.

• Exfoliate before hair removal. Lightly exfoliating your skin before hair removal helps loosen + slough off dead skin cells. This makes for an even closer shave or cleaner wax. Plus, it’ll help keep your skin clear of buildup that can contribute to pesky ingrown hairs. 

→  SHOP: Body Polish | Body Dry Brush

• Get a closer shave with our non-toxic body wash. This multipurpose hero not only moisturizes + nourishes your skin barrier – you can also use it as a shaving lotion to get a smoother shave and ditch the toxic shaving creams! 

→ SHOP: Body Wash

• Heal + tone with our Everything Spray. Although some people are more prone to ingrown hairs, this anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial spray is the perfect aftershave – for men and women. After shaving, spritz your skin to calm + purify it, and finish with hydration. 

→ SHOP: Everything Spray

• Hydrate the skin with light, breathable moisture. This is the best way to combat inflammation, bumps, and irritation. We love using body oils to support radiant and healthy summer skin. (Our holistic esthetician especially loves the Blue Tansy Body oil for summer skin.)

*Tip: If you’ve had a sun-soaked day or need extra hydration, try a body butter instead.

→ SHOP: Body Oil | Body Butter

Summer Skin Woe #3: Bug Bites, Scrapped Knees, and Rashes

‘Tis the season of cuts, scraped knees, bruises, bug bites, and the inevitable effects of a summer well-lived. If you’ve got little ones, you know exactly what we’re talking about. ;)

With active kiddos, outdoor summer adventures, and trips galore, you may reach for the medicine cabinet more often. Here are a few multi-purpose, non-toxic staples to keep stocked in your family’s first aid kit for summer skin.

• Nature Spray – first things first, protect your little ones + loved ones! Our non-toxic bug spray is DEET-free and made with organic ingredients like grape alcohol, witch hazel, citronella, cedarwood, lemongrass, and peppermint. This powerful blend acts as a natural repellent to keep bugs away + prevent unwanted bites.

→ SHOP: Nature Spray

• Immune-Boosting Hand Sanitizer – compact and easy to keep on hand, it's one of the best multi-purpose products for mamas and adventurers. Use it for immediate cleansing + antibacterial power to help defend against harmful bacteria + viruses. Its potent blend of immune-boosting essential oils, aloe vera, and vegetable glycerin soothes + protects delicate skin.

→ SHOP: Hand Sanitizers (Choose the “Immune Boosting” option before adding to your cart.)

• Everything Spray – simplify your first aid. Spritz on scraped knees, random rashes, and bug bites to calm inflammation + speed healing. (What can’t it do?) Organic raw apple cider vinegar contains powerful healing enzymes, and magnesium oil helps to rebuild + repair skin cells. Plus, organic tea tree essential oil disinfects and provides antibacterial properties. No matter what summer brings, this spray helps your entire family enjoy it so much more.

→ SHOP: Everything Spray

• Everything Balm – a cousin to our Everything Spray, this balm is the perfect companion for summer skin. Pull it out when the skin barrier needs protection or repair. Nourishing fatty acids from biocompatible grass-fed tallow help to hydrate, rebuild, and soothe inflamed skin at the cellular level. And lavender and tea tree essential oils ward off harmful bacteria. 

→ SHOP: Everything Balm

Summer Skin Woe #4: Dealing With Breakouts (Body or Face)

In the summer, breakouts often result from shifting weather that throws the skin's balance off and increases oil production. Plus, summer brings increased exposure to skin irritants, like chlorine and sunscreen.

Without the proper skincare steps in place, summer skin can become more prone to buildup, congestion, and acne. And yes, even acne on unwanted places all over your body. (We’re looking at you, bacne!)

Incorporate these steps into your daily + weekly skincare routine for clear summer skin.

• Double cleanse 3-5x/week. Cleansing is the most crucial step in your skincare routine. During the hot summer months, double cleansing is the best way to minimize excess oil production – and breakouts. This 2-step cleansing technique helps to balance the skin. Instead of drying, it leaves it purified and balanced. Double cleansing dissolves buildup and removes pore-clogging debris + oil that can lead to inflammation, aka, the root of acne. (Plus, the aromatherapy benefits make your cleansing ritual something you look forward to all summer long.)

*Tip: Our Clarifying Bar works wonders as a body soap on acne-prone areas.

→ SHOP: Cleansing Oils | Cleansing Bars

• Spritz Everything Spray for a targeted spot treatment – Notice a theme? ;) This multi-use hero is especially effective for acne on the body. Certain areas (like your back) are prone to acne from sweat and trapped moisture in the summer months. 

→ SHOP: Everything Spray

• Light Exfoliation can help stimulate lymphatic drainage, slough away acne-causing debris, and speed healing by nudging cell turnover.
  

*Tip: It's best to avoid direct contact with active acne or open wounds. Instead, work on the areas around to stimulate healing lymph flow + nutrient delivery.

→ SHOP: Dry Brushes | Body Polish

• Prioritize gut health to support the gut-skin axis. How you care for your gut health often has a direct connection to (or contributes to) the development of acne. Heal (+ prevent) acne from the inside out via your gut health. Focus on balanced nutrition, stress management, and avoiding inflammatory foods. 

• Use our Clarifying line for breakout treatment + prevention. Brighten your complexion and balance oil production with our Clarifying Line. It utilizes much gentler acne ingredients than conventional acne medication. Instead of harsh ingredients like salicylic acid, endocrine disruptors, or abrasive chemicals, our formula includes superfoods found in nature. Prickly pear, witch hazel, white willow bark, manuka, and turmeric all support clear, acne-free summer skin. 

*Tip: Add the Clarifying Mask once a week for gentle enzymatic exfoliation + extra healing support for active breakouts.

→ SHOP: Clarifying Line

 

Summer Skin Woe #5: Trying to Find a Non-Toxic Sunscreen That Works

It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of summer, but proper sun protection is essential for healthy and glowing skin. And while we don’t believe in wearing sunscreen every day, it’s important to be mindful. Soak up the sun safely by protecting your body, inside and out. (Psst: Did you know internal sun protection is a thing?) 

But here’s the problem: finding a sunscreen that's effective, non-toxic, and nourishes your skin can feel next to impossible. So here are our top tips + tricks for finding a non-toxic sunscreen you can feel good about (or skip to the good stuff here).

• Choose a physical, mineral-based SPF. Chemical sunscreens have been linked to carcinogenic properties and act as endocrine disruptors. They can remain in your bloodstream for weeks. It’s best to stick with a physical sun barrier like non-nano zinc oxide.^1,2 

• Look for labels with fewer ingredients. Greenwashing is everywhere, and reading labels can get really confusing. When in doubt, fewer ingredients are a great indicator of a truly non-toxic sunscreen.

• Avoid sunscreens with industrial seed oils as their base. Even if they’re cold-pressed oils, seed oils are not as stable in the sun compared to fats like tallow or coconut oil.

• Say no to Fragrance. “Fragrance” listed on a label is a big no. Here’s why: fragrance blends are proprietary information the company withholds from customers, and can include up to 3,500 different chemicals.³ Many of them are known carcinogens and toxins. Unfortunately, some sunscreens may appear to be clean, but clean beauty is still compromised. 

• Opt out of aerosol sprays. Aerosol sprays often require chemicals to create the spray mechanism. Even when they don’t, they frequently contain synthetic fragrances, which you definitely want to avoid inhaling.

*Tip: Got a little too much sun already? No judgment. ;) Check out our after-care sun guide for tips on soothing and healing sun-kissed skin.

Embrace Summer, Without Skin Setbacks

Navigating the challenges of summer skin can be tricky, but with the right approach, you can tackle them head-on, keeping your skin healthy and vibrant all season long. 

From managing excess sweat and soothing irritation after shaving to finding the right sun protection, it's all about taking a mindful approach to your skincare routine. Embrace the power of natural ingredients, support your skin’s natural processes, and give your body the care it needs to thrive. 

So go ahead – enjoy the waves, bask in the sun, and let your skin glow with the warmth of the season.

Here's to clear, calm + radiant skin.

XO

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Sources: 

1. EWG | The Trouble With Ingredients in Sunscreens 
2. JAMA Network | Effect of Sunscreen Application on Plasma Concentration of Sunscreen Active Ingredients
3. International Fragrance Association | Transparency List

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