As the summer comes with longer days and warmer temperatures, it brings with it the need to give our bodies-and especially our skin-extra love and attention. Hydration isn’t just about quenching your thirst; it’s an essential element for maintaining radiant skin, inner vitality, and overall wellbeing.
Why summer dehydration affects your skin
During the summer months, our bodies naturally lose more moisture through perspiration. Combined with increased sun exposure, higher temperatures, and often more time spent outdoors, this can lead to dehydrated, dull, and irritated skin. When your body lacks hydration, your skin becomes more vulnerable to environmental stressors, and inflammation.
Hydrated skin, on the other hand, appears plump, smooth, and glowing. It helps maintain elasticity and supports your skin’s natural barrier, shielding it from damage and pollution.
The inner-outer hydration connection
Healthy, glowing skin begins from within. Drinking enough water is the first step to promoting cellular function and flushing out toxins. But equally important is how you nourish and hydrate your skin externally-with the right products that lock in moisture and support your skin’s natural balance.
Summer hydration tips
Here are our top tips for keeping both you and your skin hydrated all summer long:
1. Drink plenty of water
Aim for at least 1.5 to 2 litres of water daily, and more if you’re active or spending time in the sun. Add slices of cucumber, lemon, or berries for a refreshing boost of flavour and antioxidants.
2. Use nourishing cleansers
Opt for a gentle, hydrating cleanser that preserves your skin’s natural oils rather than stripping them away. Regular cleansing supports the skin’s natural pH balance, and when paired with a moisturiser, it enhances water retention and helps your skincare products absorb more effectively-keeping your skin beautifully hydrated. At ishga, we offer three facial cleansers: Exfoliating Face Wash, Active Cleansing Lotion, and Marine Cleansing Balm. Each one is crafted with a blend of natural essential oils, Hebridean spring water, and our unique seaweed extract-delivering a gentle yet effective cleanse from the very first use.
3. Eat hydrating foods
Nature offers an abundance of hydrating foods. Think watermelon, cucumber, strawberries, and leafy greens-all rich in water content and skin-loving nutrients.
4. Use a facial mist
Facial mists are an effortless way to refresh and hydrate your skin throughout the day. ishga’s Hebridean Marine Toner is infused with mineral-rich Hebridean spring water, soothing aloe vera, and cooling cucumber extract. This revitalising blend delivers an instant burst of hydration, leaving your skin feeling calm, balanced, and beautifully refreshed.
5. Incorporate a hydrating moisturiser
ishga’s Hydra+ Marine Cream delivers intense hydration and a dewy glow to your skin. At the heart of this formula is hyaluronic acid (HA), a powerhouse ingredient known for its ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water. This allows moisture and vital nutrients to penetrate deeper layers of the skin, boosting hydration from within. The result? Skin that feels soft, plump, and beautifully hydrated-long after application.
6. Don't forget the SPF - even on cloudy days
There are two types of damaging rays that come from the sun, UV and UVB. It’s important to buy an SPF product that will protect you from both. Take into account the SPF factor too – we recommend at least SPF 30, which block 97% of UVB rays and will reduce sun damage. SPF should be the last step in your skincare routine, following your moisturiser.
7. Limit consumption of alcohol and caffeine
Alcohol and caffeine are known diuretics, which means they can increase fluid loss and contribute to dehydration-especially during the warmer summer months. When the body is dehydrated, the skin often appears dull, dry, and less supple. To maintain healthy, hydrated skin, it’s best to enjoy these drinks in moderation and balance them with plenty of water throughout the day.
This summer, take a mindful moment to prioritise hydration as an act of self-care, both inside and out. Your skin will thank you-with a healthy, radiant glow that lasts through the season and beyond.
