Natural Remedies for Summer Skin Problems

Sometimes summer can be tough on your skin, especially if you’re fair-skinned or sensitive. Between insect bites, rashes, and summer acne, it can be enough to make you want to cover up and hide out.

Common Summer Skin Problems

• Sun Allergy
There are three different types of sun allergy; polymorphous light eruption, solar urticaria, and light-sensitive eczema. Sun allergy is caused by an excess of histamines or a reaction to antihistamines and some arthritis medications.

• Insect Bites and Stings
There are too many mosquitoes, ants, spiders, and bees out there to avoid them all. Whether you’re camping in the deep woods or just hanging out on your back deck, insect bites and stings are just part of the summer experience.

• Sunburn
If you’re fair-complected, sunburn is always a concern. When using sunscreen, be careful of the brand you use. Research has shown that many commercial sunscreens contain dangerous toxins that may increase your chances of developing skin cancer.

• Rashes
One of the most common summer skin problems is the dreaded rash. Sun allergy, hives, poison ivy, and heat rash can turn smooth, blemish-free skin into an itchy nightmare.

• Summer Acne
It doesn’t seem fair. The warmer the weather gets, the worse your acne and that’s when you’re showing off your skin the most. Heat, humidity, and excessive sweat irritates your pores, worsening acne breakouts.

• Razor Bumps
Razor bumps are the worst. Sometimes it doesn’t seem to matter how sharp your razor is or how carefully you shave, you still get those unsightly and embarrassing bumps.

• Dry Skin
Your skin loses more moisture in the summer months. It’s also exposed to UV rays and salt water that can crack and roughen even the smoothest skin.

The Best Summer Skin with Natural Remedies

You can have the best summer skin ever with these 5 versatile and inexpensive natural remedies:

• Coconut Oil
Many commercial skin lotions contain toxins, skin irritants, and carcinogens (cancer-causing agents). To keep your summer skin smooth, glowing, and blemish-free, switch to organic coconut oil. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, a potent antioxidant that fights inflammation and the free radicals that cause premature aging.
You can also prevent razor burn by shaving with coconut oil. Coconut oil lubricates and protects your skin. Just step into the shower and allow the warm water to open your pores. Slather on a generous amount of coconut oil and shave as you normally would.

• Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a mild astringent that takes the sting out of bug bites, soothes hives, and treats sun-damaged skin. It even helps treat and prevent summer acne breakouts. This inexpensive skin remedy contains tannins to treat inflammation and balance your skin’s delicate pH balance. For quick relief, pour some witch hazel onto a clean cotton ball and smooth over irritated, sunburned, or bug-bitten skin.

• Rubbing Alcohol
Most summer skin problems are no match for the drying effects of rubbing alcohol. This cheap natural skin remedy instantly takes the sting out of sunburn and dries poison ivy to prevent spread.

• Apple Cider Vinegar
Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar is a good natural remedy to keep in stock during the summer months. Apple cider vinegar takes the heat out of sunburned skin almost instantly. It contains malic acid, a powerful antibacterial agent that treats and prevents summer breakouts.

• French Clay
There are plenty of mud masks on the market but a lot of them contain dangerous additives. French clay contains only one skin-soothing ingredient: Green clay. This highly-absorbable clay contains healing minerals like silica, magnesium, potassium, titanium, sodium, and phosphorus to soothe and detoxify your skin. Use it weekly to clear up acne breakouts and tighten pores.

When you get rid of summer skin problems, you’ll be proud to show yourself to the world.

[via Mother Earth News]