Got pretty resilient skin? Then you’ll no doubt love summer and the hot days and balmy nights it brings. You’ll also have no clue how utterly uncomfortable that same heat can be for the more sensitive among us. I’m talking constant itchiness, red, raw skin, angry welts that never seem to disappear…not exactly a season that exhilarates and rejuvenates the spirit. Which is why we’re going to take a short break from waxing lyrical about the ah-mazingness of summer, and spare a few thoughts (and solutions) for our summertime suffering friends…

SUMMERTIME SUFFERANCE #1: Heat rash

Also known as ‘prickly heat’, heat rash occurs in hot, humid weather when sweat glands become blocked and irritated. It generally looks like a contained rash of tiny, raised bumps surrounded by red skin, and leaves your skin stinging, or feeling prickly. The good news is that while utterly uncomfortable, this rash can usually be relieved pretty quickly by cooling the skin, so if you are suffering your best bet is to put on lighter, less-restrictive clothing and move into the shade or a cooler area. Also try: Key-Sun Zinke Cooling Mist, which helps to cool overheated skin and reduce inflammation and redness, or DermaVeen Flare Up Wash, which is pH balanced and contains natural colloidal oatmeal to sooth irritation.

SUMMERTIME SUFFERANCE #2: Mozzie bites

For some, mozzie bites are a mere annoyance; for others, they can leave red, swollen welts whose itchiness seems to last the entire summer – not to mention the bleeding, scabbing and sometime-scarring caused by constant scratching, too. To help ease the itchiness, dilute an anti-inflammatory essential oil (like tea tree, rosemary or witch hazel), and apply it directly to the bite. We like: The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil. But as they say, prevention is better than a cure, so if you are prone to inflamed mozzie bites, it’s also a good idea to keep them away during the day (yes, they’re around then too!) not only at night. Try: Cancer Council Repel Sunscreen SPF 30+ Plus Insect Repellent as it will protect you from the sun and keep those mosquitoes away!

SUMMERTIME SUFFERANCE #3: Sunburn

You’d know by now that we at bh are pretty vigilant when it comes to sun protection, and we in no way condone baking in the sun until you get burnt. But hey, things happen and sometimes, just sometimes you’ll let your guard down and end up with sunburn. And when that does happen, you’ll find out pretty quickly that it ain’t too pleasant. The best solution for red, burning skin is something cooling and hydrating, so your best bet is to pop some aloe vera gel into the fridge and then apply it liberally to the affected area for instant relief. We like: you, me & everybody Cool It Aloe Vera Gel as it contains a whopping 98.5 per cent aloe vera. For more mature skin, team your hydration with a powerful hit of skin restoring vitamins. Try: Environ AVST Gel as it contains vitamin A to help replenish lost nutrients, while simultaneously relieving burning.

SUMMERTIME SUFFERANCE #4: Chafing

Chafing can occur when two body parts continuously rub together, or when tight fitting clothing constantly rubs against your skin. And since chafing particularly loves sweat, it often occurs, or is made worse during summer. Summer’s Eve Feminine Powder is a great way to help minimise chafing down below as it’s formulated with micro-fine cornstarch, which is able to absorb 25 per cent more moisture than talc. If you’re prone to chafing and irritation under your arms it’s also a good idea to opt for a moisturising deodorant. We like: Dove Original Anti-Perspirant Aerosol Deodorant as it contains ¼ moisturising cream to help replenish lost moisture and protect your skin from irritation.

Do you suffer from skin irritations in summertime? What are your remedies for the irritations mentioned in this article?

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