At this time of the yearly cycle, the ancients would be tending their crops and staying up all night on Midsummer's Eve to welcome the sunrise. Bonfires were lit on tops of hills, by holy wells, at places held sacred, to honor the fullness of the Sun. The Earth is awash with fertility and this is a time of joy, of expansiveness, and of celebrating achievements.
The Fire Element & Summer
Midsummer is upon us. Summer Solstice. The longest day of the year, when the Sun is at its height and the element of Fire burns within and around us. Fire is often seen as a force of both destruction and creation, as it can burn away the old to make way for the new. In the traditional Tarot, fire is represented in the suit of Wands. The cards in this suit can teach us how to harness and use our fire in a way that serves. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Summer is ruled by the Fire Element, and in Ayurveda, it’s the season of Pitta (the fiery “dosha” or “energetic force”).
Overheat, energetically, can look like anxiety, hypersensitivity, insomnia, or burn out. None of which is helpful for our creative lives. But with some tools, we can learn how to channel it, surrender, and ground.
So, the question is...how are you present for YOUR inner fire? Does it engulf you? Burn you up? Dry you out? During this season, what would it look like to let your fire burn up things that are no longer serving you to make space for the fullness of your creativity?
Summer Skincare: Balancing the fire
During the Summer, our skin tends to reflect any internal excess heat through breakouts, rashes, redness, irritation, and even eczema. This is especially true if you constitutionally lean toward excess heat. Summer skincare focuses on cooling this excess heat, keeping the body & skin hydrated, nourishing yourself with nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich foods and skincare, and protecting your skin from overexposure to the sun.
Hydrate internally & externally
Drink lots of water! Dehydrated skin needs more water, and as our largest organ and an organ of elimination, our skin is often the messenger of what’s going on inside.
Pro tip: Adding electrolytes or trace minerals can help boost overall hydration.
If you drink a lot of water and aren't seeing a difference, blood-building and moistening herbs like Marshmallow root, Rosehips, Amla, Shatavari, Rose, and Licorice root can help rehydrate your tissues from within giving your skin healthy texture, color, and moisture.
Externally, use a cooling hydrosol like Rose, Chamomile, or Yarrow to hydrate your skin after cleansing. After toning, apply a light moisturizer to lock in that hydration.
Feed your skin with nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich plants
Do you ever feel drained or burnt out during the Summer? The fiery Summer months can be depleting, think increased physical activity (sweat), sun exposure, etc. This is an important time to nurture your skin and body with nutrient-dense foods and skincare.
Plants high in Vitamin C are one of our favorite ways to support your whole system, including your skin, during the summer. Vitamin C supports collagen production, fights free radicals, and supports graceful aging through antioxidants. Herbs rich in Vitamin C tend to be anti-inflammatory, cooling, and tonifying for tissues. This tightening and lifting action on the skin also helps to retain moisture and hydration. Some of our favorite skincare ingredients that are high in Vitamin C: Camu Camu, Hibiscus, Aronia Berry, Cranberry Seed Oil, Rosehip, Sea Buckthorn, and Rose… all of which you can find in our Summer Skincare Collection.
Additionally, antioxidants help brighten and even skin tone, giving it a healthy, radiant glow.
Sun Care
The sun isn't all bad. UVB rays stimulate the skin to create Vitamin D, a necessary nutrient for life. The sun also improves mood, helps regulate our circadian rhythms, and has numerous other health benefits.
The key is to avoid overexposure. Some ways to do this include:
- Avoiding direct sunlight during peak hours of the day (10-4pm)
- Seeking shade when outside
- Wearing loose, protective clothing like skirts, shawls, and wide-brimmed hats
- Wearing sunscreen when prolonged exposure to the sun is unavoidable
My current favorite sunscreens are any of the Badger products, Honua's Malu, Blissoma's Photonic Light Shifting Solution, Solara, and Zoca Lotion.
Wild Grace Summer Skincare Collection:
Our Summer Skincare Collection features cooling, calming products that are high in antioxidants and Vitamin C.
Vesper Cleansing Oil: Our cleansing oil removes dirt and makeup while balancing your skin’s natural oil production. Calendula and Chamomile calm and cool the skin, and Vesper's essential oil blend is refreshing and energizing.
Mel Honey Mask: Rich in Vitamin C and antioxidant herbs, our Signature Mask feeds the skin with nutrients, revitalizing depleted or dehydrated skin. Honey helps the skin retain moisture and hydration.
Lavender Hydrosol: A cooling hydrosol both topically and energetically, our Lavender Hydrosol calms hot, chapped, and sunburnt skin.
Chamomile Hydrosol: Gently calming to hot, irritated skin, Chamomile is a lovely remedy to quickly soothe sunburns, bug bites, and inflammation. We also love it for oily, acneic, congested skin - skin that feels "angry" and reactive.
Verbeia Calming Tonic: Get relief from acne-prone, inflamed, and reactive skin. This tonic’s soothing properties refresh and calm the skin. Perfectly balancing for Summer’s fire (Pitta energy), this tonic calms “hot” emotions while refreshing and uplifting the spirit. Scented with calming, brightening citrus.
Solis Antioxidant Serum: Wonderful for Summer, this sun serum includes lightweight, fast-absorbing oils such as Jojoba, Argan, and Macadamia. Solis is high in antioxidant-rich oils of Cranberry and Raspberry Seed Oil to help protect from free radical damage.
Aura Face Balm: Our Summer balm moisturizes dry skin while being light enough for warm days. Aura provides deep nourishment and protection to your skin's outer layers, preventing moisture and water loss. This nutrient-dense balm also makes a lovely balm for after-sun care.
Helios Shimmering Body Oil: This lightweight body oil absorbs quickly, helping the skin maintain moisture. A light citrusy scent calms and refreshes the mood, and the subtle shimmer gives the skin a warm Summer glow.