To focus on these small habits that can make a difference in the present and future, PromoFarma has held the Summer Care Club event, where it brought together leading brands expert in dermopharmacy and well-being such as Avène, Eucerin, Nuxe, Belcils, and Cumlaude Lab, to disseminate information about self-care during the summer period.
“Summer is usually associated with rest and leisure, but it is also a time when our skin, our habits, and our body change. Many times it is not about making big transformations, but about understanding what our body needs at this time and adapting certain care,” explains Mar Santamaria, head of Pharmaceutical Care at PromoFarma by DocMorris.
Protecting yourself from the sun goes far beyond SPF
One of the recurring themes of summer and about which there are more myths is sun protection. Although in recent years photoprotection has become normalized in the daily care routine, Avène reminds us that there are still very common errors related to the amount applied, reapplication, or the false sense of security in certain contexts.
The first and most important myth is that the sun is not the enemy, but it does accelerate aging, generates spots, and can cause DNA mutations. The second myth is that there is no "total screen," because protectors are filters, not shields, and always let some radiation pass through. Other widespread beliefs also fall, such as that if you have dark skin you don't need to reapply (false, every two hours without exception), that you have to sunbathe without protection to synthesize vitamin D (also false, the radiation that already passes is enough) or that sunscreens are endocrine disruptors (products on the European market are regulated and safe).
Skin hydration changes in summer
High temperatures, air conditioning, chlorine, or sun exposure alter the skin barrier and make the skin need different care during the hot months. In this sense, dermocosmetic experts from Nuxe emphasize the importance of keeping the skin healthy, balanced, and luminous in summer.
Nuxe specialists demystify the misconception that sweating or the feeling of excess oil in summer means the skin needs less hydration. They also point out that it is a time when we tend to take more care of our face, sometimes leaving the rest of the body in the background. As a remedy, they suggest a quick, simple, and pleasant solution: incorporating a dry oil into the skincare routine. Dry oil is completely absorbed, is non-greasy, does not stain clothes, and has a delicious fragrance, a hallmark of Nuxe. In addition, it has the advantage that it can be applied without problems with body cream or even with foundation. Specifically, Nuxe offers oil versions with pearlescent particles that enhance the skin's luminosity and leave it with a radiant appearance.
Prevention and treatment of sun spots
Hyperpigmentation and spots caused or aggravated by the sun continue to be one of the main dermatological concerns during the summer, and Eucerin specialists emphasize protecting our skin well to prevent them and having an optimal anti-pigmentation facial routine.
Spots do not appear overnight, but accumulate silently, and although many are not yet perceptible, they are already present on our skin. The good news is that treating them is simpler and safer than commonly thought. Eucerin reminds us that summer is no excuse to pause any depigmenting treatment, and that consistency in the daily use of photoprotection, also in the city and in daily life, is as important as any corrective active ingredient. Of course, with spots, results require patience and consistency, because real changes begin to be noticed between three and six months of continuous use.
Intimate health and genital care in summer: more information and fewer taboos
Increased humidity, prolonged use of swimwear, or changes in routine can affect the balance of the genital area during the summer. Even so, many discomforts continue to be normalized or treated with misinformation. In this regard, Cumlaude Lab reaffirms the need to promote female intimate well-being through prevention and respectful care.
In summer, the intimate area is especially exposed: the humidity from wet swimsuits, the friction from swimwear, and the increase in sexual relations are factors that alter the balance of the flora and facilitate the appearance of discomfort or imbalances that can cause local infections. The basis of care, according to experts, is good daily hygiene with specific products of appropriate pH, which are used in the shower and always rinsed with water. Hygiene should be external, but never internal or vaginal, as the vagina has its natural cleaning mechanism. Similarly, they remind us that hydration and lubrication are different concepts: the first cares for the skin of the vulva on a daily basis, the second is designed for sexual relations and is recommended to be used always, not only when there is discomfort.
Sensitive eyes and makeup are the great forgotten of summer
Ocular sensitivity also increases during this time due to factors such as sun, chlorine, salt, or certain cosmetics. Eye care experts from Belcils insist that it is essential to review daily habits and choose products adapted for sensitive eyes, especially during months of greater environmental exposure.
The main function of eyelashes is to protect the eye from external particles, and the sun, although almost imperceptibly, lightens them and reduces their visibility over time. Belcils experts highlight the most common mistakes we make without knowing it, starting with what they call the "skull trio": strip false eyelashes, extensions, and lifting. The three procedures, used regularly, damage the root and accelerate shedding. But beyond aesthetic trends, there are equally harmful daily habits, such as going to sleep with makeup on, rubbing your eyes, using an eyelash curler after mascara, or not checking the expiration date of mascaras (which is usually between 6 and 9 months after opening).
What they do recommend is: always remove makeup very gently with ophthalmologically well-tested cosmetics, brush eyelashes with a clean brush, protect your eyes with good sunglasses, and let them breathe without makeup at least a couple of days a week.
Small self-care habits that make a difference
Beyond trends or complex routines, specialists in dermopharmacy agree on one idea: self-care in summer is above all about listening to the needs of the body and adapting small daily habits.
“Many times we think of self-care from a place of demand or from impossible routines, when in reality the most important changes are usually in the simplest and most consistent gestures,” concludes Mar Santamaria.