I celebrated the summer solstice the best way I know how, hands in the dirt and something good happening in the kitchen. There is something about that particular day that feels like a full exhale. The light lingers, the garden is humming, and everything feels alive.
And then a mosquito bites me.
Honestly, that is summer in a nutshell for me. I love the garden. I love being barefoot in the grass. I love the slower pace and the abundance of it all. But the heat, the humidity, the wind, the bugs? We have a complicated relationship.
If you are anything like me, summer takes a toll on your skin. Between the sun, the dry air, the breeze whipping through the garden, and whatever tiny creature decided your arm looked like a snack, your skin can feel pretty worn out by the end of the day. The good news is that there are some wonderfully simple, natural remedies for summer skin that work beautifully, the kind your grandmother probably kept on hand long before the beauty aisle got complicated.
Witch Hazel: The Garden First-Aid Kit in a Bottle
My grandmother kept witch hazel in the medicine cabinet, and honestly, I do not think she ever stopped needing it. This humble plant extract has been used for generations, and for good reason. It works as a gentle astringent, calming irritated skin on contact. Got a bug bite that is driving you crazy? A little witch hazel on a cotton pad cools and soothes it almost immediately. It is also wonderful for sunburn, minor skin irritation, and even poison ivy. I keep a bottle in the bathroom and one near the back door, and I reach for it constantly this time of year.
Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner — gentle, no harsh alcohol, great for sensitive skin
Aloe Vera: Cool Down, Calm Down
Aloe vera is another one straight from grandma’s windowsill, and it earns its place in the summer kit without question. Applied topically, it cools and soothes sun-exposed skin, helps calm minor burns, and adds a burst of hydration to skin that has been baked dry by an afternoon in the garden. If you have an aloe plant growing on your windowsill, you can snap off a leaf and apply the gel directly. If not, a pure aloe gel with minimal added ingredients works just as well.
I love using aloe right after a long afternoon outside. It feels like giving your skin a big, cool drink of water.
Pure Aloe Vera Gel — look for 99-100% pure aloe, no added dyes or alcohol
Calendula: The Gentle Healer
Calendula is one of my favorite herbs for skin, and it earns its place in the summer kit without question. Made from the bright orange and yellow petals of the common marigold, calendula has a long tradition in herbal wellness for its soothing, anti-inflammatory properties. It is especially lovely for dry, chafed, or irritated skin, the kind that comes from a day of outdoor work when wind and plant leaves have been rubbing against you all afternoon.
You can find calendula in salves, creams, and oils. For summer, I tend to reach for a light calendula-infused ointment or a gentle cream. It is one of those ingredients that feels as good as it works.
Calendula Salve — a concentrated healing ointment
A Clean Body Lotion Worth Reaching For
After a summer day outdoors, my skin needs something nourishing that is not loaded with synthetic fragrance or a long list of ingredients I cannot pronounce. I have been loving the Babo Botanicals Moisturizing Oat and Calendula Body Lotion for exactly this reason. Unlike the old-fashioned remedies above, this one is a modern find, but it fits right in with the same clean, plant-based philosophy. It is lightweight, fast-absorbing, and made with plant-based ingredients including the same soothing oat and calendula we just talked about. It is EWG Verified, vegan, and gentle enough for sensitive skin. It checks every box I care about and feels wonderful after a long day outside.
Babo Botanicals Moisturizing Oat & Calendula Body Lotion — soothes and moisturizes dry face and skin
A Little Goes a Long Way
Summer skin care does not have to be complicated. Witch hazel by the door. Aloe on the windowsill the way grandma kept it. Calendula for the rough patches. A clean lotion to seal it all in. Simple, purposeful, and kind to your body.
I am still on my own journey with all of this. Some days my skin is happy and glowing. Other days the garden wins and I come in looking like I lost a fight with a rosebush. Either way, I am grateful for the simple, plant-based tools that help me take care of myself without adding more junk to my body.
Take care of your skin this summer, friend. It takes good care of you.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I only recommend products I personally use or trust. As an Amazon Associate and Nature’s Sunshine affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Disclaimer: The information in this post is for educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before beginning any new herbal regimen.
