Maintain Healthy Looking Skin and More this Summer

Sun, chlorine, salt water, sweat, sand… Summer can be fun, but can wreak havoc on your skin and your health. Besides using sunscreen regularly, what else can you do to maintain your health during the warm summer months? Read on to find out what supplements will keep you summer ready.*

During summer, skin that is normally not dry is more likely to experience flakes and dryness due to a variety of factors. This includes sun exposure and an increase of perspiration. Swimming leads to constant evaporation of water from skin. If the water has added chlorine or is a salt water source, this can further irritate skin and cause dryness. After swimming, it's important to gently cleanse the skin of salt or chlorine and follow up with a moisturizer. It goes without saying that sunscreen should be used at all times, even on cloudy days.

The skin is an organ, and just like any other organ in the body, what you take in can affect its health. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) occurs when water or moisture evaporates from the skin. This is a normal process, as the skin is a breathable barrier. When the skin loses moisture more rapidly, this can lead to drier skin. A study examining the effect of collagen on the skin’s ability to retain moisture found that it helped slow down the loss of moisture from the epidermis.** Similarly another study found that hyaluronic acid supplements promoted moisture retention within the skin.** The skin contains its own moisture in the form of natural lipids. These lipids are made of free fatty acids, cholesterol and ceramides. Interestingly, one small study noted that intake of omega-3 fatty acids such as those found in Nature’s Lab Triple Strength Fish Oil supports the skin’s moisture levels.**

Collagen has the added benefit of supporting skin repair since it is a building block of the skin’s structure. Another supplement that may support skin repair after UV exposure is astaxanthin. Found mostly in algae and other marine life, this carotenoid pigment has unique antioxidant qualities. We feature real, not synthetic astaxanthin in our AstaREAL Astaxanthin formula.  Hyaluronic Acid with BioCell Collagen® & MSM is a formula that  provides moisture-enhancing hyaluronic acid with type II collagen to support skin integrity.* While astaxanthin and collagen are great for UV-exposed skin, they do not replace the use of sunscreen, so don't forget to apply SPF 30 generously every 2-3 hours.

Since you are spending more time in the sun, you might as well make the most of it. We synthesize vitamin D in our bodies with sun exposure. You can support the absorption of vitamin D and enhance with regular intake of magnesium.* Vitamin D is also key to maintaining skin barrier function which is even more essential during the summer. Another reason to make sure you are getting enough magnesium is because of the role this macromineral plays in electrolyte balance. Magnesium, potassium, sodium and chloride are electrolytes that must be replaced regularly for proper muscle and nerve function. Hot temperatures and perspiration quickly deplete electrolytes that we need. A magnesium supplement like our Magnesium Glycinate helps replenish this vital mineral that has numerous benefits for many areas of our health. Another option is our Nature’s Lab Magnesium Soothe. This magnesium with l-theanine supplement has a refreshing raspberry lemon flavor that mixes well with cold beverages. Use it to make a cool, refreshing drink that’s perfect for hot summer weather. 

Summer’s here and it’s time to spend more time enjoying the great outdoors. Have fun while keeping your skin and body healthy with adequate sun protection and Nature’s Lab’s collection of summer-ready supplements.*