The Sun and Soil: How Outdoors Can Benefit Your Skin

The Sun and Soil: How Outdoors Can Benefit Your Skin

The Benefits of Sunlight for Healthy Skin

When the sun shines, it brings more than just a colorful backdrop for selfies and some much-needed warmth. The rays of the sun are filled with essential Vitamin D that helps our bodies stay healthy and strong! When sunlight makes contact with our skin, Ultra-Violet-B waves react with a molecule known as 7-dehydrocholesterol on our skin.[1]  After making contact, various forms of vitamin D are synthesized in our skin. The vitamin D that is produced then interacts with vitamin D receptors found throughout the body.
 
Besides providing a natural source of Vitamin D, sunlight can also help improve circulation[2] in the skin. Furthermore, studies have shown that Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties.[3] This means fewer wrinkles, fewer blemishes, and more even-toned skin! So, if you're looking for a natural way to get that youthful glow then try spending some time out in the sunshine!

 

Nature and Stress Management

We are surrounded by majestic trees, beautiful wildflowers, calming streams, and vibrant wildlife all around us. Nature has an incredible knack for adaptation, and it's from studying this capability that we have been able to engineer formulations free of all the "no-go" ingredients like parabens, silicones, and irritating preservatives. Nature is an incredible teacher, and we've taken her advice to heart.

 
Spending time in nature can be beneficial for physical health due to increased exposure to fresh air while participating in activities such as hiking or swimming. The majestic trees in our ecosystem help filter the air that we breathe every day. Nature is also a great place to find some peace and relaxation away from the stressors of everyday life. Whether it’s admiring the stars at night or taking a morning walk before work, getting outside can leave you feeling refreshed and revitalized.
 
When it comes to combating stress, nature can be a wonderful ally! Studies have shown that simply spending time in nature can significantly reduce the production of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress.[4] Beyond that, nature offers countless opportunities for relaxation and mental rejuvenation. Furthermore, research indicates that spending time in nature is linked to an increase in positive emotions like joy and contentment.[5] Finally, simply listening to nature, such as birds singing or the sounds of flowing water, has been linked with increased relaxation and improved mental well-being.[6]
 
And let’s not forget the vast amounts of negative air ions that are found in nature and their incredible ability to improve cognitive and mental stress.[7] Negative air ions are all around us, even if we don't realize it! They can be found in a variety of places, such as near oceans, thunderstorms, waterfalls, and forests. Give yourself permission to escape into nature whenever life gets too hectic. It'll help lower your cortisol levels and leave you feeling refreshed and invigorated!

 

How Botanical Extracts Can Keep Your Skin Moisturized

Now let’s move on to how we harness the power of plant-based skin care benefits into our formulations. The botanical extracts that are used in our luxury natural skincare line are science-backed to help keep your skin looking and feeling its best.
 
Plant extracts provide a variety of benefits from purifying to moisturizing to softening and even regenerating effects. These extracts may also stimulate protein production which helps to increase the amount of collagen and elastin present in the skin[8], two proteins needed for healthy skin. Our products are lab blended with the most nourishing high-altitude plants. Plants grown in high altitude regions boast a bountiful supply of polyphenols and antioxidants![9]These powerful nutrients help you keep your skin looking healthy and radiant.
 
Take for instance the delicate Hibiscus Sabdariffa flower extract. This flower extract is found in our Neige Éternelle cream and our Éclat de Lait elixir. Hibiscus Sabdariffa is a natural wonder and an incredible skincare ingredient that provides many benefits, including lifting, plumping, and firming.[10] Padina Pavonica is another powerful ingredient that serves as a potent boost to your skin's regenerative processes, fortifying its natural barrier against environmental aggressors. Our Perle d'Eau light cream and Neige Éternelle cream feature the special Padina Pavonica extract, perfect for adding an extra layer of protective hydration! With so many powerful botanical extracts out there it's no wonder why they hold such an important place in skincare formulations.

 

Conclusion

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life by connecting with nature! Spending time outside surrounded by botanicals can be just what you need to relax, put your worries aside and improve both your mental well-being as well as give your skin a healthy glow. Dive into the fascinating, lush world of botanical extracts to discover their surprisingly powerful benefits for your skin and well-being! They've got hidden superpowers that can help you overcome pesky skin issues and leave you looking radiant. Reconnecting with nature is an important part of maintaining balance in your life that everyone should take advantage of whenever they can!

 

REFERENCES: 
[1] Bikle, Daniel D. “Vitamin D and the skin: Physiology and pathophysiology.” Reviews in endocrine & metabolic disordersvol. 13,1 (2012): 3-19. doi:10.1007/s11154-011-9194-0; [2] Straughan, J L. “Sunshine and the cardiovascular benefits - a dose of sunshine!.” Cardiovascular journal of Africa vol. 21,3 (2010): 168-70.; [3] Cannell, John J et al. “Vitamin D and inflammation.” Dermato-endocrinology vol. 6,1 e983401. 29 Jan. 2015, doi:10.4161/19381980.2014.983401; [4] Ewert, Alan, and Yun Chang. “Levels of Nature and Stress Response.” Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 8,5 49. 17 May. 2018, doi:10.3390/bs8050049; [5] Capaldi, Colin A et al. “The relationship between nature connectedness and happiness: a meta-analysis.” Frontiers in psychology vol. 5 976. 8 Sep. 2014, doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00976; [6] Jo, Hyunju et al. “Physiological and Psychological Effects of Forest and Urban Sounds Using High-Resolution Sound Sources.” International journal of environmental research and public health vol. 16,15 2649. 24 Jul. 2019, doi:10.3390/ijerph16152649; [7] Della Vecchia, Alessandra et al. “Negative Air Ions in Neuropsychiatric Disorders.” Current medicinal chemistry vol. 28,13 (2021): 2521-2539. doi:10.2174/0929867327666200630104550; [8] Michalak, Monika. “Plant-Derived Antioxidants: Significance in Skin Health and the Ageing Process.” International journal of molecular sciences vol. 23,2 585. 6 Jan. 2022, doi:10.3390/ijms23020585; [9] Hashim, Ahmed M et al. “Oxidative Stress Responses of Some Endemic Plants to High Altitudes by Intensifying Antioxidants and Secondary Metabolites Content.” Plants (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 9,7 869. 9 Jul. 2020, doi:10.3390/plants9070869; [10] Wang, Duanyang et al. “Potential of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. and Hibiscus Acid to Reverse Skin Aging.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 27,18 6076. 17 Sep. 2022, doi:10.3390/molecules27186076