This works like crazy against wrinkles

Of course, we sat in the sun. Always with sun protection, I hope, but your skin still gets a bit of a rough treatment from the summer. Sun, salt water from the sea and pool all contribute to a slightly less fresh version of your skin than before summer. Sun damage, pigmentation spots, a duller skin — none of us want that.

But you can do something about it. I reached out to skin therapist Annelijn van Ierland from Skinkliniek for advice and tips.

Hydrating
The sun and heat can dry out your skin and disrupt its natural moisture balance. It is important to hydrate your skin extra. You do this by using mild creams. Choose products with moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe vera, or ceramides. These help retain moisture in the skin and restore the protective skin barrier. Annelijn's favorite is Cetaphil, a very nice and good cream, and jojoba oil.

Also, drink enough water, 1.5 to 2 liters per day, and hydrate your skin from the inside out. This helps restore the moisture balance. By the way, drinking water is super easy.

Continue using sun protection
Even after summer, protection against UV rays remains important, as the sun can still cause damage, even on less sunny days.
Use a sunscreen with SPF 30, even in autumn, to protect the skin from UV radiation and prevent further damage.
Choose broad-spectrum protection and ensure that your sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

Exfoliate for fresh skin
After summer, your skin may look dull due to the buildup of dead skin cells and damage from sunlight. Exfoliating and peeling helps remove that dull skin and stimulates cell renewal. Choose AHA (e.g., glycolic acid or lactic acid) or BHA (salicylic acid) to remove dead skin cells without irritating your skin.
Avoid aggressive scrubs; coarse grains can irritate the skin.

Treatment of pigmentation spots and sun damage
Consider professional treatments such as peels and/or laser treatments to address pigmentation spots and sun damage. This can be done very well with Annelijn; I prefer to go there every three months because this is a skin-repairing treatment, and pigmentation spots caused by the sun or, uh, age really disappear. Annelijn can work wonders.

Recovery of the lips
Your lips may be dry and chapped after summer due to exposure to sun and wind. Use a lip balm with moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter, beeswax, or vitamin E. Exfoliate gently: use a mild lip scrub to remove dead skin cells and then apply a lip balm. A thin layer of petroleum jelly in the evening also works wonders.

Take care of the skin around your eyes
The thinner skin around your eyes is extra vulnerable and may feel dry or develop fine lines. Apply a moisturizing cream to reduce dryness and fine lines.

Avoid hot showers
Although it is tempting to take a long, hot shower, this can further dry out the skin. Opt for lukewarm water and limit your time in the shower. It's also better for the environment. 😊

Healthy eating contributes to your skin condition
Eat a bit more antioxidants, vitamin C and E, Omega 3 fatty acids, and beta-carotene, such as in mango, avocado (tips for the perfect avocado you can find here), carrots, walnuts, and fatty fish. They help protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals, which can lead to premature skin aging and wrinkles.

Annelijn van Ierland is a skin therapist, scientific researcher (MSc), and founder of Skin clinic. She has nearly twenty years of experience in the field of skin and the cosmetic and medical applications of laser on the skin.