While we were still able to hide under several layers of clothing during the cold season, our noses behind a scarf and our hair in a woolly hat, it’s now time for shirts, skirts and shorts again. In summer, we show off our skin and hair – and when they look fresh and healthy, we feel all the better for it.
Water for the skin
To function optimally, our body needs about 2.7 liters of fluid per day. We should drink between 1.5 and 2 liters of it, the rest we take in with our food. When the weather gets warmer, we sweat more – we need to drink more, because the lost fluids have to be replenished. The best way to do this is with (mineral) water – as a calorie-free source of fluids, it not only provides the body with an optimal supply of fluids, but also leaves room in our daily calorie balance for an ice cream or two when the weather is nice.
If we don’t drink enough, it shows. Water is the basic requirement for healthy skin. The first thing you see is whether someone drinks a lot or a little. If the body lacks fluid, it first draws on the reservoirs in the skin – the skin becomes dehydrated, which is quickly visible – wrinkles appear more clearly, the skin looks dull and flaky. With moisture and elasticity, our skin also loses its barrier function, and pathogens can penetrate the body more easily through cracks in the dry skin.
Just as quickly as you can see a lack of fluids on the skin, you can also recognize a good supply of fluids. According to a study at the Charité in Berlin, the skin is better supplied with blood and oxygen just ten minutes after drinking half a liter of water[i]. Skin metabolism is boosted, which supports the skin’s protective and defensive functions. Regular and sufficient drinking has a vitalizing effect, which is noticeable in the long term in a fresher appearance of the skin. Drinking not only keeps your skin healthy, but also makes it glow like the sun. It doesn’t always have to be water either – our article “Fresh for the beautiful season” provides information on the many benefits of berry water for skin and beauty.
Vital hair as a figurehead
While a bald head looks good on many men and often emphasizes their masculinity, a woman’s most beautiful adornment is her hair. To give it a well-groomed and vital appearance, the cosmetics industry offers a wide range of care products. But it is much easier. Our scalp also benefits from sufficient hydration – and a healthy scalp is a prerequisite for beautiful hair. Hair that grows from a scalp weakened by a lack of moisture can suffer permanent damage to its horny layer. If the scalp is dry, it starts to itch and we scratch it. This can further damage and weaken them, which also impairs hair quality.
Our hair normally has a water content of 10 percent. If the weather is very humid, this can rise to over 30 percent via diffusion, the hair becomes heavy and falls differently. If it dries out, however, it tends to fly and is difficult to style. We don’t have to wait for rainy weather to get elastic and manageable hair. Sufficient and regular hydration has the same effect – the hair’s moisture content is maintained and it remains supple and shiny. This means you can try out lots of clever hairstyles and summer trends without having to resort to extra care. Your own hair color comes into its own and shines again – your hair is simply fun!
Simply drink beautifully
To start the summer with a radiant complexion, supple skin and shiny hair, we can buy expensive skincare products and use them to cream, lubricate and rinse – sometimes with questionable results. Or we simply drink. If we drink the recommended daily amount of 1.5 to 2 liters, or more in warmer temperatures, throughout the day, we have already created a very good basis for healthy skin and hair. Healthy skin and hair look beautiful and radiant. And that’s exactly how we feel – completely comfortable with our skin and hair.
