Don™t Skimp On SPF

Sunscreen is important all year long, but when the sun™s rays are the strongest it™s even more crucial. If you want to protect your skin from sun damage, wear a water-resistant, non-greasy, broad-spectrum sunscreen that™s at least SPF 30 on your face and body. is a great option. You can also dress to protect yourself from the sun by wearing lightweight long-sleeved clothing, sunglasses, and wide-brimmed hats. Make sure to also apply SPF products to your lips and , as these areas are often skipped and burn fairly easily. When you do get a sunburn, take cool showers/baths to relieve the pain and use moisturizers that contain aloe vera or soy to soothe the skin. Most importantly, make sure to drink plenty of water since sunburns pull fluid to the surface of the skin .

Exfoliate Your Skin

Exfoliation is the best way to get rid of dry, flaky skin. And if you™re planning to show some skin this summer, It™s also a great way to prevent ingrown hairs after you shave. is a gentle, non-abrasive liquid exfoliant that won™t irritate the sensitive skin on your face. As far as body exfoliation goes, our is formulated with mineral-rich salt crystals and organic plant oils to help scrub away dead skin and prevent bumps and redness after shaving.

Properly Care for Bug Bites

When you™re spending time outdoors during summer evenings, make sure you™re protecting yourself from insect bites. Insect repellents of the past often included toxic pesticides, but nowadays there™s a huge variety of chemical-free, safe products on the market. These often include like lemon eucalyptus oil, lavender, cinnamon oil, and tea tree oil. If you do have bug bites, try your best not to scratch them, as it often leads to bleeding, scabbing, and scarring. Apply an ice pack to itchy bites or use an over-the-counter anti-itch cream like hydrocortisone. You can also take antihistamines for bites that are seriously itchy and/or painful.

Treat Acne All Over

Summertime means sweat and sunscreen. And sometimes sweat and sunscreen mean clogged pores and oil buildup. This often leads to acne on the face or body. Resist the urge to pick your spots and use the right products to handle breakouts. You don™t want to use harsh chemicals to treat your breakouts because that can cause the skin to become dry, red, and irritated. Look for something with gentle, natural ingredients like . These convenient round pads exfoliate and unclog pores with salicylic acid and pure plant extracts like lemon, rose geranium, and tea tree.

Add Antioxidants

Looking for natural ways to soothe, brighten, and moisturize your complexion? Hit it hard like green tea, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A. You can find these naturally occurring ingredients in facial serums, moisturizers, and toners. To start your skincare ritual from within, add like strawberries, blueberries, cherries, blackberries, pecans, and artichokes to your diet. Not only are these extremely beneficial for your skin, but they™re also delicious and in season during summer!

Pursue Your Love of Skin Care

Is skincare one of your biggest passions? Are you constantly researching new products, trends, and ingredients? Our esthiology program at Inspire Greatness Aveda Institute could help you turn that passion into an exciting future! Contact us today to learn more!

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Ayurveda focuses on balance of the three doshas: Vata (air/infinity energy), Pitta (fire/water energy) and Kapha (water/earth energy). Each of us has a blend of all three of the doshas that govern our mind, body and soul (being). Some of us have more Vata energy so we experience more air and infinity qualities like being cold, dry, quick in movement, enjoy change, have high energy and have a lighter, thinner body frame.

Vata doshas also exhibit dry hair and skin, usually show more nervous energy and have active, restless and creative minds. Vata’s can also be inconsistent and unreliable. Those who have more Pitta energy show more fire/water qualities like being determined, strong leadership, strong focus and sustainable energy. Pitta’s usually have an athletic build, have sensitive skin and have a higher body temperature. They are natural leaders and inspire easily but can also have high tempers and get angry easily. Kapha’s are considered the most fortunate in Ayurveda because they are less likely to become ill and are able to stay in balance more so than the other doshas. Kapha’s usually have thick, lustrous skin, hair and nails. They tend to carry more weight and move slower. Kapha’s are methodical thinkers, loyal and trustworthy.

The doshas also represent the three seasons in Ayurveda and govern certain times of the day:

Kapha season = mid-January to mid-May
Pitta season = mid-May to mid-September
Vata season = mid-September to mid-January

Kapha time = 6 am to 10 am / 6 pm to 10 pm
Pitta time = 10 am to 2 pm / 10 pm to 2 am
Vata time = 2 am to 6 am / 2 pm to 6 pm

Currently we are in Kapha season so no matter what our dominant dosha is, we all experience the elements of water and earth this time of year: slow, thick, heavy, dense, cold and fluid. This is the time of year to slow down, catch our breath and reflect inward more. It’s a time to eat heavier and nourishing meals, rest more often and take time to enjoy life. There’s a delicate balance to drawing in the richness of Kapha energy to soothe and nourish without becoming too sluggish, tired or withdrawn. Daily rituals involving beauty and wellness will help to ensure there’s balance during this time of year.

Kapha daily rituals:

• rise between 2 – 6 am, waking after 6 am is Kapha energy so it’s more difficult to wake up during heavier, slow energy
• start with morning stretches, yoga, exercise or meditation to get the body and mind moving and unstuck
• take pride in self-grooming with hair, skin and aroma – use only natural ingredients and non-synthetics so as not to add more toxins to the body
• dry brush to help boost skin circulation, remove dead skin cells, and increase skin elasticity
• drink two glasses of warm water with lemon or apple cider vinegar to help purify the body of toxins
• enjoy a simple yet hearty breakfast every morning between 6 – 10 am
• make lunch the biggest meal of the day between 10 am – 2 pm
• enjoy time to be creative and inspired
• take time to tune-in and appreciate life
• eat a simple dinner before 7 pm and allow time for the body to digest and rest before bed
• minimize TV and screen time, especially before bed

Too much Kapha energy can increase feelings of depression, withdrawal and disconnection. To balance the winter blues, it’s important to stay on routine and make the effort to be social and stay active. There’s less sun energy this time of year so it’s also important to enjoy sunshine by being outdoors when possible as well as increase Vitamin D3 intake. This is a great time to indulge in personal stress-relieving rituals like massage, facials, and play with new hair styles or makeup.

Coming soon to Aveda is the new Beautifying Radiance Polish – the perfect balancing solution during kapha season. This rich and luxurious body scrub will slough away dry skin cells and stimulate skin’s circulation, creating a nourished and beautiful glow.

Aveda’s services are rooted in Ayurveda and use the principles of this healing system to create balance through the products and services. Experience an Elemental Nature spa treatment that is customized to your current dosha or elemental nature of earth, water, fire, air or infinity. For more information about rituals and Aveda products visit www.aveda.com or check out the book Aveda Rituals, by Horst Rechelbacher, founder of Aveda.

Prepared by Alicia Parks Christus for Inspire Greatness Institutes. Alicia is the marketing team lead at Aveda Institute Denver and a certified yoga instructor. She teaches Ayurveda and yoga classes and has led Ayurvedic wellness programs and yoga teacher trainings. For more information email achristus@avedadenver.com or follow along @aliciaraeyoga.

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