Reframing Sun Exposure & Summer Skincare

Get all the sun benefits without the drawbacks. For your health and for your skin.

In recent years we’ve been taught to fear the sun, but the truth is, we were designed to thrive in harmony with it.

Sunlight is a vital source of rhythm, renewal, and resilience, and it offers some impressive benefits for the skin.

Emerging research suggests that vitamin D derived from sunlight can have anti-inflammatory effects, promote cell renewal, and potentially contribute to a more youthful appearance.

In this article, we’ll explore how to restore a healthier relationship with the sun and share our favorite nutrient-dense skin rituals for before and after sun exposure.

How Sunlight Benefits Skin Health

Sunlight plays a crucial role in skin vitality. When absorbed in the right way, sunlight activates processes that help the skin function more optimally and recover more efficiently.

Sun exposure stimulates vitamin D production, which promotes autophagy (a cellular “self-cleaning” process) in skin cells. This helps reduce inflammation and protect against oxidative stress—a major contributor to skin aging.

Interestingly, researchers describe this as a “U-shaped” relationship. Excessive or insufficient vitamin D can accelerate aging, while optimal levels support regenerative and protective functions.

In addition, moderate sun exposure:

• Regulates circadian rhythms, helping your skin sync with your body’s repair and renewal cycles.

• Lowers cortisol, the primary stress hormone, which reduces inflammatory responses in the body and skin.

• Boosts serotonin, a neurotransmitter that enhances mood—and in turn, promotes hormonal balance and skin clarity.

Furthermore, research has shown that the anti-inflammatory effects of early morning sun exposure can help alleviate certain inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema.

Responsible Sun Exposure

Despite what you may have heard, the sun is not inherently harmful—overexposure and skin vulnerability are.

Historically, we spent much of the day out in the sun and built a natural tolerance over time. 

Yet today, we spend most of our time indoors, then suddenly expose our skin (often unprepared) to the intense midday sun.

Add in low-antioxidant diets, chronic dehydration, and the absence of daily protective rituals, and the skin’s natural defenses can become easily overwhelmed.

So the key to reaping the sun’s incredible benefits lies in adopting wise sun rituals. This means being responsible with timing, duration, protection, and restoration.

In other words, the goal is to work with the sun rather than avoid it entirely or overexpose yourself.

Like most things in nature, sunlight can nourish our skin and bodies when met with balance and care.

So how can we do this?

Supporting Your Skin Before and During Sun Exposure

Before going out in the sun, fortify and prepare your skin. 

Just like you would drink water before going on a hike, take a moment to apply some nutrient-dense skincare products to help your skin build resilience to the sun’s UV rays.

Hydration is your first line of defense here.

Sun exposure dehydrates the skin (internally and externally), which can contribute toward increased trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). And when skin is dry, it recovers slower and becomes more vulnerable to UV damage.

Humectants, such as glycerin, aloe, and honey help your skin maintain hydration and support elasticity during the heat.

In addition, use products that contain:

• ️Antioxidants like Vitamin C, E, & polyphenols - These help neutralize free radicals triggered by UV exposure and can reduce the intensity of oxidative stress before it starts.

• Barrier-supporting emollients, such as plant butters or oils - These strengthen the skin’s lipid barrier, helping it retain moisture and stay resilient under UV stress.

• Mineral-rich botanical extracts - These provide trace nutrients that feed cellular function and skin’s natural repair mechanisms.

For example, our Phyto Nectar Radiance Oil Serum contains antioxidants, bioactive plant nutrients, and fruit oils that rejuvenate skin to facilitate healthy skin cell regeneration and protect against environmental damage, including excessive UV exposure.

In addition, our Atmosphere Nutrient+ Toning Mist helps your skin hold moisture and stay supple in heat.

And don’t forget to finish with a mineral-based SPF to reflect UV rays without disrupting the skin’s microbiome.

Restoring & Replenishing Your Skin After Sun Exposure

After sun exposure, your skin is thirsty (and possibly inflamed), so the goal is to replenish and soothe.

After-sun skincare is the stretching after a workout. By omitting it, you dampen the benefits of the active work you’ve just done. 

Look for after-sun skincare products that contain:

• ️Cooling, anti-inflammatory botanicals to calm heat, reduce redness, and ease sensitivity.

• Cell-regenerating actives to support the skin’s natural renewal process.

• Hydration replenishment to replace water loss and rebalance the skin’s moisture reservoir.

For example, the Elemental Hydration+ Treatment Essence contains hyaluronic acid, red algae, and coconut water to calm inflammation, restore moisture levels, and balance the skin’s pH. This strengthens the skin barrier function and rehydrates the skin after sun exposure. 

Another replenishing after-sun serum is the Universal Bold Vitality Serum. This serum builds your skin’s resilience to external stresses, such as UV exposure, while regulating hydration and promoting collagen synthesis.

A note from Toni: Summer skincare goes beyond the face. We’re just about to launch two new products specifically for the body, which are perfect for nourishing and restoring skin before and after sun exposure. Keep an eye on our newsletter to be the first to know when they launch.

What To Keep In Mind This Summer

Like most things in nature, we should approach sunlight with respect and balance. It’s certainly not something to fear but also something we shouldn’t overindulge in. 

When we understand how and when to engage with the sun, we allow our skin to reap its benefits without bearing the cost of overexposure.

Intentional summer skincare isn't solely about preventing damage but about supporting your skin in its natural rhythm of renewal. By nurturing your skin with hydration, protection, and replenishment, you allow it to remain strong, supple, and resilient, no matter the weather or time of year.