Soaking Up the Sun? Here’s How to Save Your Skin
Cinnamon Crabb LMT (NOTE: Cinnamon is now in-network for Blue Cross & Blue Shield Insurance.) Now Through August SPECIAL: Add Dry Bushing to your massage for FREE!
There’s something magical about summer—the warmth on your shoulders, lazy afternoons in the pool, road trips with the windows down. But all that glorious sunshine and outdoor fun can leave your skin feeling less than radiant. If you’ve noticed dry, rough, or flaky skin this time of year, you’re not alone.
Luckily, there are some wonderful ways to support your skin—naturally—so you can enjoy summer without paying for it in moisture loss. At Hawthorn Healing Arts Center, massage therapist Cinnamon Crabb, LMT offers treatments that don’t just feel amazing—they’re deeply restorative for your skin and your whole nervous system.
Why Your Skin Gets So Dry in the Summer
You might expect dry skin in the winter, but summer brings its own skin stressors.
- Sun Exposure: UV rays may give you that golden glow, but they also sap your skin of hydration. Prolonged time in the sun damages the skin’s barrier and pulls moisture from the deeper layers, leaving it dry, flaky, and prone to sunburn.
- Chlorine & Saltwater: That refreshing dip in the pool? It comes at a cost. Chlorine strips natural oils from your skin, and saltwater—while great for your spirit—can have a similar dehydrating effect if you’re not careful.
- Air Conditioning: Indoor comfort is great, but A/C acts like a giant moisture vacuum. It pulls humidity out of the air, which means it pulls hydration from your skin, too—leaving it tight and dull.
How to Restore Skin That’s Had a Little Too Much Summer
You don’t have to avoid the sun, skip the pool, or sweat it out without A/C. Just add in a few skin-loving habits to keep things in balance:
1. Hydrate Inside and Out
Drink plenty of water (yes, it really does help). After sun exposure or time in chlorinated water, rinse off and apply a hydrating body oil or lotion to replenish moisture and calm the skin.
2. Use Oils that Heal, Not Just Hydrate
At her practice, Cinnamon often recommends plant-based oils during massage sessions that also double as skin treatments:
- Avocado Oil: Thick and rich in oleic acid, it penetrates deeply to help calm and repair dry or irritated skin.
- Jojoba Oil: Technically a wax, it closely mimics our skin’s own natural oils, making it incredibly nourishing and non-greasy.
- Coconut Oil: Antibacterial and moisturizing, it supports the skin’s barrier and locks in hydration—especially helpful after sun exposure.
During a massage session, Cinnamon customizes the use of these oils to support both muscular release and skin rejuvenation—so you walk out feeling nourished from the outside in.
The Secret Weapon: Dry Brushing
If you’ve never tried dry brushing, summer is the perfect time to start. This simple technique does wonders for dull, dry skin—especially when followed by a therapeutic massage.
Dry brushing involves using a natural-bristle brush to gently exfoliate the skin before showering. But it’s not just about removing dead skin:
- It boosts circulation, bringing fresh oxygen to the skin’s surface.
- It unclogs pores, making your skin more receptive to moisture.
- It’s surprisingly relaxing—many people describe the rhythm of brushing as meditative.
- It helps with lymphatic drainage, which supports detoxification and immune function.
After dry brushing, skin feels smoother, looks brighter, and absorbs oils or lotions more effectively. Cinnamon often includes dry brushing as part of her Luxury Massage sessions to enhance both the sensory experience and skin health benefits.
Treat Your Skin to a Little Summer Love
Your skin is your largest organ—it works hard to protect you. And in the summer, it’s under a lot of extra pressure. Taking time to care for it with massage therapy, nourishing oils, and simple practices like dry brushing can make a world of difference.
Whether you’re noticing summer dryness creeping in or simply want to give your skin a boost, Cinnamon Crabb, LMT offers a holistic, hands-on approach that supports your skin and your whole self.
Want to try dry brushing, skin-nourishing massage, or both?
Book a session with Cinnamon and let your skin breathe easy again. Call 541-330-0334 to schedule your appointment or feel free to use our online appointment form.