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Be Well

Summer Woes & Solutions

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By: Holistic Health Coach and Shop Good Lead Buyer, Juana Diez

Ahhh, sweet summertime (thank god June gloom is over, am I right!?!). With the longer and warmer beach days ahead comes summer BBQ’s, tropical cocktails, and frequent visits to our bikini drawer. But, it also brings on a few body woes we managed to avoid in the winter months – you know, things like razor bumps, body acne, heat rashes… the list goes on, really! 

This month at Shop Good (and every month for that matter), we’re all for celebrating your beach body and confidently flaunting your skin — all the while avoiding these bothersome issues that are *oh so* familiar to us. 

Keep reading for the most common summer skin woes we experience, and the top ways to prevent (and treat) them!

SUMMER WOE #1 – RAZOR BUMPS 

Let’s face it – summer is synonymous with swimsuits… but frequently shaving or removing unwanted body hair can mean our skin takes quite the beating this time of year. Fear not, we’ve got you! 

The key to a good shave (sans the razor burn) is to condition skin before shaving to soften the hair follicles, lubricate for a smooth razor glide, and prevent irritation. Pro tip – make sure you’re using a clean + fresh razor (a dull one can actually tug at hair follicles and cause even more inflammation!) 

Our fave product for a stellar shave? Ursa Major Shave Cream – this concentrated, non-lathering formula minimizes nicks, cushions against razor burn and actually nourishes the skin with ingredients like aloe vera, willow bark, shea, and oat protein. 

SUMMER WOE #2 – INGROWNS 

If you feel like you can’t keep your ingrowns in check during summer, you’re not alone. If we’re lucky, our hair shafts grow up through the skin without causing any problems. But… if we’re not, waxing, shaving or plucking can cause hairs to get trapped and grow underneath the skin, rearing their ugly heads a few days later accompanied by symptoms like itching, pain, redness, and swelling. U-g-h. 

The best way to prevent ingrowns is to gently exfoliate before-hand to ensure the hair can come out cleanly, and the pore won’t get clogged with dead skin cells or bacteria lurking close by. Plus, always find us reaching for Lady Suite Rejuvenating Botanical Oil pre and post-hair removal (whatever that method may be). A blend of organic and naturally-derived botanical oils (like jojoba, meadowfoam, evening primrose, and tamanu) help provide hydration, brighten, prevent ingrowns, and smooth the delicate skin around our lady parts – it really is our must-have solution for intimate skin struggles! *Can also be used on other coarse hair areas like underarms*

P.S – did you know we include this as a last step with all our Brazilian and Bikini waxes?! Book here!

SUMMER WOE #3 – BACNE 

The hot summer months have us feeling sweatier than ushe. Who’s with me?? And, as if dealing with facial acne isn’t enough of a skin woe, summer welcomes acne to pop-up on other parts of the body… like our backs. Why does this happen? Bacne usually occurs when oil mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria, resulting in clogged pores. Since this area is generally covered, it’s prone to trapping heat / sweat and rubbing from clothes or bags – all which boost chances of acne formation. Back acne can also be the result of body products or laundry detergents that are too harsh or heavy for the skin, so try switching to more gentle options!

Our bacne solution – give your back a skin routine, too! 

  1. Use an anti-bacterial cleanser on breakout-prone areas of your back as the last step in your shower. Tata Harper’s Clarifying Cleanser (*in shop only!*) will do the trick – a foaming gel formula made to target impurities and balance oil production with a carefully-chosen blend of botanicals like willow bark extract, arnica, calendula, and alfalfa extract. 
  2. Rebalance pH by misting with a Toner 
  3. Moisturize with a lightweight body cream like Shop Good Body Repair lotion, with a nourishing blend of avocado and safflower oils. 

Pro tip: treat yourself to a BACIAL with our holistic estheticians this month only (really this is a thing – and a v wonderful one at that!). Book at our North Park or Del Mar spas! 

SUMMER WOE #4 – BLOATING 

Indulging in all those summer BBQ’s and one-too-many glasses of cold sparkling brut can throw our digestion out of whack and result in bloated tummies. 

For a happy GI tract, avoid carbonation (fizzy bubbles get trapped temporarily in your gut) and sugar (which can lead to an overgrowth of bacteria that causes gas). Staying away from dairy, fried dishes and foods high in unhealthy fats will help too!

What to reach for instead? We.got.you. Non-bubbly options like wine and low-sugar cocktails (mezcal + soda + lots of citrus, anyone?), paired with high fiber foods like veggie burgers are great options. Try incorporating gut-healing spices/herbs like ginger and peppermint whenever possible. Pro tip – keep the *summer vibes* going with a daily Pre+Probiotic to support optimal digestive health and peak immune function!

SUMMER WOE #5 – MISMATCHED MAKEUP 

Raise your hand if you feel your best with a fresh tan (while practicing #skinsafety, of course) – thank you, summer! Extra time spent in the sunshine, can inevitably mean the same foundation that got you through the colder months is probs no longer your right shade – trust me, on this one. 

So, what’s a girl to do? Make adjustments for your summer tan! If we’re being real, choosing the perfect shade of foundation is hard to begin with… so let our Product Experts do it for you! Pop in to our Del Mar + North Park shops to get colored matched with our fave clean beauty brands. 

Pro tip: make sure you blend, blend, blend! Use the right tools (like our Shop Good makeup brushes) – and start off using small amounts and building as you go until you reach your desired level of coverage. This is also a good time to reach for a setting powder, if you’re worried about your makeup staying in place! 

SUMMER WOE #6 – BODY ODOR 

Picture this: it’s a hot summer day. You’ve been hanging and being active under the sun all day – and you reach up to throw your perfect beachy waves in a bun… only to notice you stink. 

Sure, the heat and humidity of summertime leaves us at greater risk for getting extra sweaty, but it also means secreting more body odor. No worries my smelly friends, we’re here for ya! 

  1. Detox your pits – we love Zabana’s Coconut Charcoal + Clay Bar. A gentle, deep cleansing, mineral-rich bar that detoxifies, exfoliates, unclogs, and freshens armpits. It’s basically the armpit rescue we reach for to keep our underarms staying *so fresh and so clean* during the summer months. 
  2. Stay hydrated – water, water and more water! Why? Water flushes out toxins from the body, and when toxins go, body odor does too. So, drink up and do what you gotta do to remind yourself throughout the day! 
  3. Use a natural deodorant – Maybe you think natural deodorants don’t work… and honestly, I used to think the same – until I discovered Agent Nateur. Their Holi(Stick) Sensitive  (my personal fave) is a baking soda free formula, with floral and woodsy notes of jasmine, bergamot and sandalwood. 

SUMMER WOE # 7 – SUNBURN 

C’mon – we can’t talk summer woes without mentioning the regrettable sunburns. UVA and UVB rays can damage skin and leave it inflamed, dry, and even blistered… ouch. But, since we’re all pro’s here after June’s month of #SKINSAFETY, let’s jump right into the simple solution for this familiar summer mishap. 

Yes.. you guessed it – make sunscreen a priority by always, always, always applying your SPF before leaving your house – and don’t forget to reapply every few hours! 

Pro-tip: Keep your favorite hat in your beach bag or car so it’s easily accessible to you. Be proactive about prevention, beauties!

In honor of #BODYTALK month at Shop Good, we’re here to remind you that we all struggle with the pesky and inconvenient woes our bodies throw our way… and we’re celebrating that! Stay in the know and follow along as we continue our conversation on all things #bodytalk on instagram @shopgoodco

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