Ah, summer.  Golden skin, warm rays, outdoor frolicking.  But summer isn’t all fun and games…it can cause havoc on your skin.  To make the rest of your summer worry-free in the skin department, here are effective, all-natural solutions to five of your summer skin woes.

Problem #1:  Sunbathing has left your skin too tight and/or scaly for comfort.

Solution:  Coconut Oil.

Not only is coconut oil a healthy fat to use in the kitchen, it’s all-natural, traditional moisturizer for skin that gives you a lovely glow!   To keep things sanitary, either get a separate jar of coconut oil to use exclusively for your skin, or take a portion from a new jar of oil before using it in the kitchen.

The best way to use this oil without ending up like an oil slick is to apply this right after the shower, before drying off.  Pour the oil into a glass bottle with a pump (I saved mine from a skin cleanser and just cleaned it out).  Spray a pump into your hand and spread it lightly over wet skin to distribute as far as it will go before rubbing it in.

Keep in mind that it does take an hour or so to soak in completely.  And if you’re heading right out to a function where you’ll be doing lots of hugging, you might just want to play it safe and skip your arms to avoid any explanations.

Problem #2:  Skin has passed “glow” and landed in the pink/red zone.

Solution:  Lavender Essential Oil.

Uh-oh.  Has too much sun left your skin blushing?  Lavender essential oil to the rescue!  It’s an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, and was traditionally used to treat burns.  When I get too much sun, I combine a few drops with a carrier oil–another use for coconut oil!–and smooth over my stressed skin.  I then apply it several times more that day and the next, if needed.  The redness always goes away, and I don’t peel.  Not that it’s an excuse to get sunburned, but it really is amazing how well it works on those rare occasions!

Treating burns is only one of the multitude of uses of lavender oil.  Click the link below and download the PDF file on the Overview tab to see all its uses.

Try this:  100% therapeutic-grade Lavender Essential Oil from Young Living.  I only get my oils from this company because I know they’re pure, and I’ve experienced the healing and health-promoting qualities of their oils firsthand.

Problem #3:  Body bumps appearing from sweating it up in heat and humidity.

Solution:  Tea Tree Soap.

Summer heat and humidity can keep you in a constant state of sweat, which can lead to body breakouts.  Tea Tree oil is a natural antiseptic that not only helps skin heal from cuts and bruises, but can solve skin conditions like acne.  I’d heard of the zit-zapping power of tea tree oil and decided to give it a try.  Although my skin is by no means perfect, tea tree soap does work to keep those bumps at bay.  Use daily with an exfoliating sponge (skip the sponge if you’re sunburned).  The soap’s fresh fragrance and tingly sensation make for an energizing suds session too.

Try this:  Dr. Bronner’s Tea Tree Bar Soap.  All Dr. Bronner’s soaps are fair trade, not tested on animals, made with certified organic ingredients, and have over 18 different uses.  These soaps are so safe, you can brush your teeth with them…whether you want to or not is up to you.

Problem #4:  Insects see you as a free buffet.

Solution & Try this:  Dr. Mercola’s Bug Spray.

No one looks good with swollen polka-dot skin.  But commercial bug and insect sprays with chemicals and laboratory-born fragrances are not the answer.  Dr. Mercola’s Bug Spray contains only natural ingredients to keep bugs at bay: citronella oil, lemongrass oil, peppermint oil, and vanillin (vanilla).  And you won’t smell like you’re wearing bug spray either…my mom uses this and was once asked what perfume she was wearing!  It’s safe for children and pets too, so the whole family can be naturally bug-free.

Problem #5:  Can’t find a sunscreen for your face that doesn’t look oily or cause breakouts.

Solution & Try this:  Josie Maran Argan Oil Daily Moisturizer with SPF 40+.

With some products, what’s good to use on your body doesn’t necessarily translate to good times for your face.  Sunscreen is one of those things for me.  This moisturizer-sunscreen combo leaves my skin soft and glowing instead of greasy, doesn’t leave a whitish residue that can result from titanium dioxide/zinc oxide, and I’ve never broken out from frequent usage.  You can easily wear this under your normal makeup, but when I want a sheer tint to even out skin tone while saving my face from the sun, I opt for a tinted moisturizer with SPF 20 from 100% Pure.  Both of these products are winners when it comes to glamorous summer sun protection.

What are your favorite summer skin savers?