After the year we’ve all had, we deserve a beautiful summer. However, we don’t deserve the skin issues that creep up as soon as the mercury rises. Breakouts, redness, sunburn and a constantly shiny T-zone: these are the common skin concerns that plague us during the warmer months. However, with some simple product switches and updates to your regimen you can beat the summer skin blues. These are my tried-and-tested tricks and product recommendations for a clear, happy and healthy complexion this summer.
In summer you want your makeup to be glowy not greasy, so if you’re prone to oiliness and shine the key is to apply lighter and fewer skincare and makeup layers. Au Naturale’s Zero Gravity Cream to Powder Foundation is my pick for a warm-weather foundation. It comes in a stick format and applies like a cream then sets to a soft, mattifying powder-like finish. Clever blurring pigments in the formula means you only need a light layer to get a flawless finish. In summer, I recommend spot applying foundation just to the areas that need correcting or covering, then blending with a brush or your fingers. More often than not, you don’t actually need a full coverage of foundation.
SPF application is a non-negotiable all year round. Beyond the seriousness of skin cancer risk, exposure to UVA and UVB rays accounts for 80 percent of what we consider to be signs of ageing, think: pigmentation, wrinkles and slack skin. In warm, humid weather, you may want to choose a sunscreen with a hybrid formulation that will cut down the need for multiple skincare layers. Salt & Stone’s Stick SPF offers SPF 50+ broad spectrum protection and is enriched with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory botanicals for healthy and hydrated skin. So, on those heavy, humid days you can skip your antioxidant serums. Additionally, a natural SPF like this is free from skin-clogging additives like silicones, petroleum and PEGS.
SPF 50+ Face Stick
A skin nourishing, 100% natural sunscreen face stick with a matte finish. This water-resistant formula glides on smoothly and sinks into the skin effortlessly offering broad spectrum UV protection combined with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory botanicals for healthy and hydrated skin.
Best for: Everyday sun protection for all skin types.
Volume: 15 grams
Heat can bring about redness in the skin, it’s a trigger for rosacea and can cause irritation and discomfort for some. I like to keep certain skincare products in the fridge during the warmer months. Applying chilled sheet masks, moisturisers and mists to summer skin is just so refreshing and I find it dials down redness and irritation. Additionally, face mists are fabulous in summer as they provide instant hydrating, cooling and brightening benefits without feeling heavy on your skin. Luxe Botanics Camu Mist uses Damascus Rose Water to saturate the skin in hydration, Sodium Hyaluronate to replenish and plump, and vitamin C-packed Camu Camu to brighten and provide antioxidant protection. A must-have mist to cart around with you or to pop in your fridge.
Camu Brightening Mist
Why is your skin breaking out in summer, when you’re enjoying happy, wholesome activities like swimming and frolicking outdoors? Blame it on the build-up of sweat, oils, humidity and pollution. All of these things can contribute to blocked pores which are one of the catalysts for pimples. You should be properly cleansing your skin every single night, but in summer, factor in a double-cleanse every couple of days to purge your pores of build-up. The first cleanse rids the skin of surface grime and product so the second cleanse can go deeper to flush the pores of congestion. Dr Alkaitis’ Organic Purifying Facial Cleanser deeply cleanses and lightly exfoliates without stripping moisture from the skin.
Organic Purifying Facial Cleanser
The only healthy tan is the one you get from a bottle. And with such beautiful, foolproof to apply, natural tanning formulations available, there really is no reason to bake under the sun – this will only result in cell damage and accelerated ageing. For a self-tan sans the nasty chemicals and packed with skin-loving ingredients, try Nic + Co Organic Self Tanning Mousse. It takes just two hours to imbue skin with a gorgeous sun-kissed glow. Plus, it smells delightful! A delicious blend of vanilla and orange, as opposed to the usual pungent fake-tan smell.
Self Tanning Mousse
Enjoy an endless summer tan with Nic & Co. and self-tan without the chemicals. Combining a powerful range of organic and natural ingredients for a non-toxic sun-kissed, confident and all-round amazing sun-free tan.
Best for: face and body, all skin types.
Volume: 200ml
If self-tanners aren’t for you, a subtly tinted dry body oil like French Girl Lumière Bronzée Shimmer Oil might be more your ticket. The non-greasy formula hydrates the skin with nourishing oils while reflective pigments give a radiant shimmer (not a spangly glitter). The oil is lightly tinted so the skin still gets that temporary nudge of warm colour. This is holiday skin in a bottle. I love to apply it before going out for dinner. My skin glows! And the rose and sandalwood fragrance is divine.
Lumiere Bronzee – Shimmer Oil
Discover the magic of Mud- Beauty’s best kept dirty little secret. From an on-the-go weekly ritual to an indulgent pampering session, natural clay masks are the ultimate in self-care and never fail to deliver on glow.
Double cleansing is a two-step routine in which you wash your face with a natural cleansing oil or oil-based cleanser first, then wash it again with a water- or gel-based cleanser. The aim is to get the best clean possible without irritating the skin.
Luxe Botanics in-house aesthetician tells us everything we need to know about this transformative natural skincare line.
Want luscious soft and plump lips? This 5 step natural and organic lip rescue ritual will have those winter lips soft, plump and totally kissable. How to use the best clean beauty products filled with lip loving botanicals and natural ingredients for a safer luscious pout.
With increased hand washing and drying alcohol based sanitizers our cuticles may be looking the worse for wear. Follow these top tips to treat and nourish your cuticles with natural and organic ingredients. Healthy, strong and beautiful nails, naturally.
AHAs are the superheroes of exfoliation. Proven to smooth wrinkles and fine lines, refine large pores, help with rough, crepey texture, and will leave you with hydrated, supple skin with a healthy glow. Select a formulation that has other skin loving ingredients that counteract any irritation due to the AHA.
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