Summer care for the skin of the face and body, and for hair

Do you, like us, spend the last day of astronomical winter waiting for spring in full swing and for warm summer evenings? While we look forward to holidays, trips away and time in the sun, our skin is getting ready for exposure to conditions that are not necessarily kind to it: sunlight, high temperatures, dry wind, sand and salty sea water, among others. The skin of the face and body, as well as the hair, need proper treatment whatever the season, but in summer we should take a slightly closer look at our everyday routine. In summer we focus on protection (and not only against the sun), on nourishment, hydration and regeneration of the skin. Let us go through the bathroom cabinet - the rich shea butter you use in winter does not have to wait for colder days at all, it works beautifully in summer too: it wonderfully nourishes dry and chapped skin, protects and supports the regeneration of irritated and reddened skin (it is a wonderful, natural dressing for cracked feet, dried-out calves, elbows and hands). In summer, organic hydrosols work not only in their classic form - as a base under a face cream or oil - but also as a refreshing mist you can use at any time of day, while the light, moisturising H2O face cream brings relief, soothes irritation and restores a healthy glow to the skin. And let us not forget a good sunscreen.

Photoprotection

When preparing the skin for summer, let us focus on sun products that protect it from excessive UVA and UVB radiation, from redness and from burns. Beyond that obvious fact, cosmetics with mineral or chemical filters slow down photoageing of the skin and protect collagen fibres from degradation. Applying filters with high photoprotection - SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 30-50 - has a positive anti-ageing effect and indirectly prevents premature wrinkles and loss of skin firmness. They protect the skin from discolouration and excessive water loss. They are also a preventive measure against skin cancer.

What is the difference between mineral (physical) and chemical (organic) filters?

There are two types of sunscreen: mineral and chemical. The first of these - mineral (physical) filters protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun by reflecting and scattering UV rays and partly absorbing them. Cosmetics with mineral filters sometimes leave a white cast and have a heavy texture. This is caused by the large particles of titanium dioxide - Titanium Dioxide - and zinc oxide - Zinc Oxide. The market for photoprotective products keeps changing though, and cosmetics with lighter formulas and less white cast are appearing without any loss of photostability - it is well worth a bit of digging!

Chemical filters are usually light creams that do not whiten the skin while protecting it from excessive solar radiation. The protection offered by organic filters consists in absorbing UV rays and converting them into (harmless) heat energy. Once applied, these products absorb faster than mineral filters and leave no greasy layer, which makes them more resistant to rubbing off than creams with mineral filters. Chemical filters sometimes irritate very sensitive skin, so when choosing photoprotection it is important to match it to your complexion's current needs.

How to apply sunscreen correctly?

Sunscreen should be applied to cleansed skin of the face, neck and décolletage after your care product - a cream or serum - and before makeup. This order allows SPF products to work properly and protect our skin from the effects of the sun's rays. If you wear makeup, apply it with clean fingers rather than a brush or sponge, because those can pick up the previously applied filter from the face and reduce its effectiveness. The recommended amount of sunscreen for the face and neck is 1-1.25 g. To picture that amount, the "2 fingers" method of applying photoprotection was devised - squeeze the cream along the whole length of your index and middle finger, then apply the product to your face, neck and ears. It is not the most precise measurement, but if you have no specialist scale or measure, this way of dosing should do the job ;). Let us also remember to reapply SPF during the day, every 2-3 hours, to keep protection at an optimal level. Body sun products should be applied 20-30 minutes before going out into the sun and, just as with SPF face creams, let us remember to reapply them, especially if our skin stays in the sun's embrace for longer. Clothing (light and airy, covering as much of the body as possible) and headwear are also very important protection against the sun's rays, as they physically shield us from burns and their later side effects such as reddened, dry and flaking skin. If the skin does become irritated, however, we should act quickly and apply the right care.

What besides sunscreen?

Let us make sure our cosmetics bag does not run short of soothing, calming products that will minimise the burning and itching caused by irritated skin - the composition of such products often includes ingredients such as D-panthenol, vitamins A and E, aloe, allantoin or the shea butter mentioned earlier. Shea is rich in vitamins A, E and F, which support skin regeneration, protect, nourish and help keep the skin in good condition. On top of that, the vitamins contained in karite butter have an anti-ageing effect, supporting collagen synthesis in the skin. Thanks to its oleic and linoleic acid content, shea softens, soothes irritation and evens out skin tone, while the allantoin naturally present in karite butter moisturises and additionally supports the skin's regeneration processes, reducing redness. The shea butter available from Ministerstwo Dobrego Mydła is a product suitable for daily use by every member of the family - women, men, children and even infants - it is considered hypoallergenic and safe for people with sensitive, atopic, irritation-prone and dry skin. It is worth having in your cosmetics bag whatever the season :).

Cleansing and refreshing the skin of the face and body

While we happily enjoy the first stronger rays of sun, swims in the sea and long exposure to the wind, the skin of our body needs support not only in the form of sun protection (important as that is), but also hydration, nourishment and good, thorough yet gentle cleansing of the impurities that settle on the skin throughout the day (and at night ;)). Sweat, sebum, sunscreens and makeup should be washed off our skin gently but completely and thoroughly every day - that is how we let the skin breathe, refresh it and prepare it to take in the active ingredients contained in nourishing face creams, masks and oils. Well-chosen cleansing cosmetics remove the impurities gathered on the skin and prevent spots, blackheads and irritation, improving the condition of the skin and leaving it looking healthy and fresh.

Gentle and effective natural body soaps

The effective, skin-friendly natural soaps from Ministerstwo work well in the daily routine of women and men alike and make the perfect cosmetic to take on any trip, even the most distant one. Every soap available from Ministerstwo Dobrego Mydła is made by hand, composed of nourishing plant oils and butters and full of natural glycerine. They are very efficient and long-lasting, and at the same time gentle and effective. The super-gentle Rice (a hypoallergenic soap) and Marigold soaps work for the whole family - including children over 3 years old. They allow even dry and very sensitive skin to be washed gently. Charcoal and Rosemary are our answer to a soap for active people. Charcoal is fragrance-free, minimalist simplicity - a natural soap with active bamboo charcoal, effective at cleansing oily and heavily soiled skin. The Rosemary soap - square, hanging on a hemp cord that makes it easy to store in the shower - contains blue Siberian Cambrian clay and rosemary essential oil, which refreshes pleasantly with its scent and puts us in an invigorating mood. For children (over 3 years old) and for grown-up fans of cheerful bathing we recommend the Pineapple soap (which gives a big, creamy lather :)) and Hibiscus with pink French clay, which brings out its pastel colour and enchants with its floral-fruity aroma.

So soaps will help us cleanse the body effectively every day, but what should we use on the more delicate skin of the face? We look after it every day, applying moisturising creams, oils and serums, not forgetting sunscreen. But do we remember to cleanse our facial skin thoroughly after the whole day, and do we use the right cosmetics for it?

Gentle cleansing of the face, neck and décolletage

Sweat, sebum, moisturising and nourishing cosmetics, makeup, sunscreen and other impurities that settle on the facial skin during the day (and also at night!) make it harder for the skin to function properly, it becomes more susceptible to external factors, loses its radiant look and turns dull. It may react by overproducing sebum, imperfections and blackheads may appear, and wrinkles become more visible. To give the facial skin (and the surrounding areas) a chance to catch its breath, effective yet gentle cleansing is a very important element of daily care. Refreshed and clean skin repays us with a radiant, healthy look, is less prone to imperfections and irritation, and can make full use of the beneficial active ingredients contained in the cosmetics applied after cleansing.

Natural foam for washing the face, neck and décolletage - Apricot

For daily cleansing of the facial skin, both morning and evening, we recommend Apricot - a gentle, pleasantly fruity, creamy foam for washing the face, neck and décolletage. In its composition you will find as much as 99% ingredients of natural origin (including apricot, lemon and orange fruit extract). It is a very efficient product (1-2 pumps are enough to cleanse the face and its immediate surroundings effectively) that can be used successfully by every member of the household (or fellow traveller ;)), including children over 10 years old. Easy to apply and rinse off, the foam does not irritate, effectively cleansing away everyday impurities (including light makeup) and refreshing the skin. Apricot leaves the facial skin luminous, soft and smooth to the touch, reducing the visibility and number of imperfections and regulating sebum production.

Gentle makeup removal with the Rose-Raspberry oil

To cleanse the skin thoroughly of sunscreen or heavier makeup, it is worth reaching for the hydrophilic oil for makeup removal and face washing - Rose-Raspberry. If you are wondering what the word "hydrophilic" means, here is a quick explanation :). In short, it means that despite its oil formula, Rose-Raspberry combines beautifully with water, creating a milky emulsion that is easy to rinse off completely. The Rose-Raspberry makeup removal oil is 99.3% ingredients of natural origin - its base consists of natural, nourishing oils (including sweet almond oil, unrefined raspberry seed oil and unrefined rosehip oil), as well as precious vitamin E (tocopherol) and gentle (yet effective :)) emulsifiers. The oil dissolves and binds with the cosmetics applied to the skin and with impurities, and thanks to the added emulsifiers it can combine with water, making it easier to rinse them off the skin thoroughly and leaving it clean and fresh, without an unpleasant feeling of tightness. And what do we recommend for refreshing the skin during the day?

Refreshing mists for face, body and hair - hydrosols

We usually use natural herbal mists - hydrosols - in the morning or evening, to begin or close our care ritual, but it is just as good to have them at hand during the day so we can refresh and soothe the skin pleasantly at any moment. What are hydrosols? In short, hydrosols are natural herbal or floral mists obtained during the steam distillation of essential oils - steam is passed through carefully gathered plant material and in the final stage of distillation it condenses and separates into essential oil and hydrosol (the water phase). The natural, organic hydrosols from Ministerstwo Dobrego Mydła are rich in active ingredients from the plants they were obtained from. On top of that you will find in them radish ferment (Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate), which increases the stability of the product. This Ecocert-certified preservative also has caring properties - it raises the skin's hydration level, softens it and soothes any irritation and redness. Organic hydrosols offer a whole range of beneficial caring properties for the skin of the face and body, and for hair as well. The most common use of hydrosols is facial care - as a substitute for toners they restore the skin's natural pH, soothe and reduce irritation and redness, refresh and cleanse in place of tap water, and also moisturise and nourish, making an ideal base under a cream or oil.

The universal shampoo bars from Ministerstwo Dobrego Mydła

To all of you who are setting off on a journey where every centimetre in the suitcase, backpack or travel bag is worth its weight in gold, to those who often visit gyms or swimming pools, or for whom minimalism and the less waste principle are especially close to heart, we recommend the universal washing shampoo bars from Ministerstwo. Small - they will fit into a cosmetics bag with no trouble; family-friendly - for a woman, for a man, for teenagers; efficient - do not be fooled by their unassuming size! Storing the shampoos properly between uses (simply take them out of the shower and pat them dry) will let them become an indispensable companion on every journey (their company is just as welcome in the comfort of home :)). They cleanse gently and effectively while washing, do not irritate and care for both body and hair.

Pick your favourite!

Preparing the skin to absorb active ingredients - peels and scrubs

Properly cleansed skin is the basis of good care, and the next building block towards smooth, nourished and soft skin are exfoliants. Those in the form of exfoliating soaps or scrubs we dedicate to the body, while pastes with finer particles are for the face. They remove dead skin cells, even out skin tone and prepare it to take in moisturising, regenerating and nourishing ingredients. With regular exfoliation the skin becomes smoother, more elastic, firmer and better nourished.

Facial exfoliation = deeply cleansed, soft and smooth skin

For deep cleansing of the facial skin, the best choices are enzymatic exfoliants or those containing a gentle abrasive - finely ground sweet almond or nut shells refresh the skin effectively, and by removing dead skin cells they speed up the skin's regeneration processes, slow down ageing, stimulate circulation and unclog pores. After exfoliation the skin becomes smooth and soft to the touch, ready for the next stage of care. Such a treatment should not, however, be carried out more than twice a week - the facial skin needs time to regenerate, and excessive exfoliation can bring the opposite of the intended effect. In the Ministerstwo Dobrego Mydła range you will find the skin-friendly, cleansing and exfoliating Halva - it gently cleanses and refreshes the skin, smooths and softens it, and above all effectively removes dead skin cells without drying the skin out. The Halva exfoliant can be used by dry, combination and oily complexions alike - it opens and cleanses pores and prevents imperfections. Instrument-based studies carried out at our request show that using the Halva exfoliating paste reduces TEWL (transepidermal water loss) by 16% (on average) after just 3 weeks of regular use, and protects the skin from excessive water loss! In addition, the Halva exfoliant replenishes the lipid level in the epidermis, strengthening the skin's protective barrier.

Tip: you can also use the Halva exfoliating paste to exfoliate your hands or your whole body.

Body scrubs - massage, removing dead skin cells and refreshing the skin

For thorough cleansing combined with a body massage during a bath or shower, exfoliating soaps are perfect. In the Ministerstwo Dobrego Mydła range you will find, among others, the energising Coffee with Arabica coffee particles, the invigorating Cucumber with powdered Irish moss and an addition of the green alga spirulina, as well as Pineapple, full of fruit enzymes. Our exfoliating soaps will not only wash away impurities perfectly, but thanks to the particles they contain they will also remove dead skin cells and stimulate circulation. Exfoliating soaps smooth the skin wonderfully, and their refreshing scent will give us energy for the whole day. We recommend using exfoliating products 1-2 times a week. A salt or sugar scrub is just as good a way to refresh the skin. In the Ministerstwo Dobrego Mydła range you will find the Plum sugar scrub, which will not only smooth the skin during the massage but leave it moisturised, springy, pleasantly smooth and soft to the touch, thanks to its content of nourishing oils, unrefined cocoa and shea butter and vitamin E.

Hydrating the skin of the body and face

We look after the hydration and nourishment of the skin of the face, décolletage and body all year round, but in summer we should pay particular attention to hydrating the body properly, both from the inside and from the outside. Optimal hydration of the body's cells has a positive effect on the health and appearance of our skin. The basis is of course drinking water frequently (for example with a little mint, fresh fruit or citrus), fruit or vegetable juices, and in exceptional situations replenishing electrolytes. To help keep water in the skin, it is also worth taking care of proper moisturising "from the outside". Toners, hydrosols and moisturising creams can serve us here.

Moisturising cosmetics for the face, neck and décolletage

The organic hydrosols from Ministerstwo Dobrego Mydła refresh and moisturise the skin pleasantly, while toning it and preparing it to receive a cream. The hydromineral H2O cream is pleasantly light, absorbs quickly and leaves no heavy, greasy layer on the skin, which makes it an ideal summer face product. After just 2 weeks of regular use of the H2O cream, the skin's hydration level rises by 23% and its redness drops by 18%. The moisturising H2O cream also smooths the skin, reducing the visibility of wrinkles, and improves the tone and general condition of the skin, adding radiance. Thanks to its light texture it can be used both during the day (also under makeup) and at night. Let us not forget to apply care products to the skin of the neck and décolletage as well - they need attention too :).

Nourishing body cosmetics

At Ministerstwo you will find travel-loving, handy, easy-to-apply stick balms and nourishing body mousses in 120 ml glass jars. The anhydrous formulas of the Ministerstwo balms and mousses have been composed using the finest plant oils and butters, with added vitamins and active ingredients. They support skin regeneration beautifully, bring relief to irritated and dry skin, nourish, soften and smooth it, and protect the skin from the unfavourable effects of external factors such as dry, hot air, sand or salty sea water.