How to prepare your skin for the summer months
As we write this blog, we are being teased with days that remind us of joyous summer followed by days of fleece wearing and drizzle – typical! So, to hang on to the positive summer vibes, we are thinking about how we can prepare our skin for the summer months.
We are transporting our minds to sandy beaches, remembering the feeling of warm breezes through our clothes, picnics in the park, scents of BBQs and of salt on our skin, buzzing cities and nightlife and flights to exciting destinations.
It is still early enough to start preparing our skin for the fun times ahead – no last minute attempts to erase the effects of winter! Dedicating some time and thought now will get you glowing for your holidays.
Here are our essential tips to help you get ahead:
Bye bye post-winter skin
Our absolutely essential facial following the colder months and pre-social events is the Noaem Oxygenation Facial. We have spent years perfecting this treatment and it is loved by our clients – they just keep coming back for this one.
It is customised to your specific skin needs – whether your skin would benefit from green tea and copper peptides or from the firming and hydrating properties of pure gold, we have you covered.
For skin that feels super smooth, plumped, lifted, hydrated and bright – you cannot go wrong booking in for this treatment.
Cleansing
This is the time to start thinking about ramping up your cleansing routine. Oil, sweat and grime on the skin during warmer, sticky weather multiplies and it is essential that when we cleanse, we are cleaning out our pores well. SPF is particularly difficult to remove.
Ideally twice daily cleansing with a double cleanse in the evening (if tolerated) is what we recommend. An oil or a balm as the first cleanse removes traces of oil/SPF/makeup and then an appropriate face wash for your skin should leave it feeling clean and refreshed.
Lighten up your moisturiser
We can generally say goodbye to the thick, heavy moisturisers we need during the winter months and welcome lighter creams and lotions instead. As the weather warms up, we want our skin to feel fresher, not smothered.
One of our favourite options is the AllSkin Med Radiance Gel with both vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.
Just ensure you don’t skip this step – sometimes tempting for people with oilier skin – as your skin barrier still needs support. Without moisturiser, our oil producing glands can over-produce oil leading to a greasy feel and breakouts – in the summer especially.
Freshen up
On those super warm days (home or away), a cooling mist can be a lifesaver! We love the La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water Spray for a quick refresh in a can – you can even spray it on the kids as it is so gentle.
If you want a little more luxury, try the SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Essence Mist – it is very hydrating and soothing with botanical extracts and it smells divine!
Exfoliate
We have already talked about the Noaem Oxygenation Facial which is the ultimate facial for smooth skin. Maintain your result at home with a cleanser that contains acids – our go-to for exfoliating cleansers is Revision Skincare.
For a gentle exfoliation we recommend the Papaya Enzyme Cleanser and for something with a little more punch, try the AHA and BHA containing Brightening Facial Wash. Please ensure you do not overuse these products. Your skin specialist should advise you how often you should exfoliate and we cannot stress enough the importance of wearing SPF everyday if you are regularly exfoliating.
Boost skin hydration
Trying to keep up with the recommended daily intake of water can be difficult – especially in summer when our needs increase. Even when we do drink plenty of water, there is unfortunately no special reservoir for our skin – every organ in our body needs it!
So, to cheat your way to super-hydrated skin, we recommend our Injectable skin booster treatments or Polynucleotides. Injectable skin boosters e.g. Profhilo or Redensity 1 contain hyaluronic acid delivered straight to the dermis plumping it up. Polynucleotides, when injected into the skin, make our skin cells behave younger and regenerate our skin. This increases the production of our own hyaluronic acid and drenches our skin with hydration.
Choose safe and cosmetically-elegant sunscreens
It’s a bit of a mouthful but it is crucial. Our regular clients don’t need the ‘sunscreen’ talk again so if that’s you, please skip to the next paragraph!
Facial sunscreen should always be broad-spectrum, protecting your skin from UVA, UVB, visible light and infrared-A. This is non-negotiable. Also, it should contain an SPF of 50 ideally, even when at home, as you are less likely to reapply as regularly.
Sunscreen should feel absolutely beautiful on your skin so that you WANT to wear it everyday. Whether your skin is oily, dry, dehydrated, acne-prone, sensitive or rosacea affected – there is a sunscreen for you. Remember, there are also beautiful tinted products that can be substituted for foundation during the summer months.
Lastly, make sure you are applying enough of your product – 2 fingers of product to cover the face and neck please!
Let your natural beauty shine
‘Tis the season to ditch the heavy makeup! Tinted moisturisers are much more wearable in the summer. Even better, use a tinted SPF. That’s one less product on your skin, leaving it feeling fresher and able to breathe. You can apply a cheek stain or cream/liquid blush or bronzer on top if you wish and it is very easy to blend in some concealer if you require a more perfect finish.
Our favourite is the super light Heliocare Oil-Free Gel SPF50 which comes in Beige and Bronze. Smooth, non-comedogenic and highly protective.
Last-call for retinol
If you have been meaning to try retinol, you still have time to start before the holiday season begins. Retinol has many benefits – it treats pigmentation, softens fine lines, improves texture and reverses sun damage while exfoliating your skin from deep down. Sounds perfect right? Yes, it is BUT if you wish to continue your retinol use throughout the summer (many people do), protecting your skin from the sun is absolutely essential.
So there you have it – our essential guide to preparing your skin for the summer. All of the products mentioned in this blog are stocked in the clinic so if you would like to have a play around with our testers and see what they feel like on your skin, just get in touch. Get your skin prepared for the summer now and it will thank you by glowing radiantly for your summer events and holidays!
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