Summer is well and truly here, and that means long days in the sun, hours in the water, and late nights spent eating and drinking with friends - all of which sounds like heaps of fun! But what impact is it having on your skin and hair, and how can you change up your hair products and skincare routine to keep yourself looking and feeling your best, while still enjoying everything a kiwi summer has to offer? First, let’s look at what’s happening and why we need to consider a change in the first place.

The sun - the thing we all love, that doesn’t love us quite so much in return. It’s well known that the harsh ultraviolet rays we are exposed to are the leading cause of skin damage, and with the effects ranging from premature ageing to skin cancer, it is more important than ever that we know how to look after our skin to avoid UV damage.

Constant exposure to too much sunlight can cause the skin to burn, and while it’s always best to use a high SPF sunscreen and stay out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day, there are other things that you can do to support healthy skin. Even if you avoid getting sunburnt the constant sun exposure over a lifetime can lead to skin cell damage, and that can lead to skin becoming dry, unevenly pigmented, and losing it’s natural elasticity and moisture, resulting in premature wrinkles and lines.

Another effect of excessive sun exposure is the damage it can cause to your hair. While we tend not to think about what the sun is doing to our hair, almost all of us will have noticed how hair lightens in the summer, as it becomes bleached by the sun. UV rays damage the outer layer of hair strands, and the proteins it contains, and this can leave you with locks that are dry, brittle, and near on impossible to style. Hair masque can help moisturize and nourish your hair.

Another factor to consider during the summer months is how your skin and hair are coping with repeated exposure to either salty seawater or chlorine-treated swimming pools. Although saltwater is completely natural, the salt does have a drying effect which causes hair to become dehydrated, resulting in rough brittle hair that is prone to split ends and breaking.

Chlorine exposure can leave your hair brittle and dry, and your skin feeling tight and itchy. Repeated exposure to chlorine-treated water will strip hair of its natural oils leaving it without this natural layer of protection, and if you heat style your hair regularly, it will be even more vulnerable to the effects of chlorine. Another thing to be aware of is the fact that chlorine can actually react with coloured hair, and I’m sure most of have seen a person or two with green/blonde hair in the summer!

Many people are also left with tight, dry, and irritated skin after swimming in chlorine-treated water and this happens because the chlorine also strips your skins natural oils. This can be particularly problematic for people who swim a lot, or for people who already have skin that is sensitive and prone to eczema and psoriasis.

While this might all sound like bad news for sun and water lovers, rest assured it is not. There are ways to naturally protect your skin and hair from damage, and there are products that can help to repair and renew damage that may already have occurred. We offer a range of products to help you keep your hair and skin in top condition, from the best natural body butter, to aloe gel, and long-lasting lip balms.

• Minty Foot Butter - this is a fabulous light and fluffy natural body butter full of antioxidants, proteins, and vitamins. People spend a lot of time in bare feet or sandals during a Kiwi summer and this is one of the best natural body butters for keeping your feet smooth and free from cracks and dry skin.
• Body Wash and Body Scrub - this combo will gently exfoliate away dry skin caused from exposure to sun, salt, and chlorine, while also gently cleansing to leave you feeling fresh and smooth.
• Whipped Body Butter - ours truly are the best natural body butters. Made with shea butter and coconut oil, and packed with antioxidants and vitamins, they are incredibly nourishing, will leave your skin feeling softer than ever.
• Aloe Vera Gel Masque - if you are looking for away to get all the aloe gel benefits for your skin and your hair, this is it. Aloe Vera will awaken your skin with an intense dose of hydration, and is especially perfect for use over the summer months as it can prevent skin damage, soothe sunburn, prevent fine lines, improve elasticity, prevent dehydration, and promote healing. On top of all this, you can also use this product as a hair masque, where it will add volume, reduce oil, and cleanse the scalp.

These products are only an example of the wide range that we have on offer; there are so many other products that can help to protect and repair your skin and hair, and over the summer months you will know exactly what it is that your body needs to keep it happy, healthy, and feeling great. So why not browse our selection, and take that first step now? Make a change for the good of your hair and skin, and just wait and see how long it is before someone comments on how radiant you look...we bet it won’t be long at all!