Top 5 Essential Skincare Tips To Follow This Summer

Ah, summer. It’s the time of year we all look forward to; blue skies, sunshine, perfect, right? Sure – until it comes to dusting off the warm-weather wardrobe. Worried about showing more skin after months of huddling underneath jumpers and jeans? Fear not – we have the answers. It’s time to get in-the-know on how to get a summer-ready glow.

Step 1. Exfoliate

The colder months can wreak havoc on skin, causing it to become dry and flaky. Combat this by incorporating exfoliation into your skincare routine; it’ll buff away any dead cells and give you a brighter appearance.

We recommend only doing this once or twice per week, however, as overdoing it can cause irritation. For top-to-toe treatments, try  Skin Doctors Exfoliating Crystals or Elemis Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow. Make sure you apply moisturiser after exfoliating to hydrate and protect the new layer of skin.

Step 2: Moisturise

It may seem counter-intuitive, but using moisturiser daily is just as important in the summer as it is during winter. Hot weather and sunshine might feel glorious, but they can zap skin of moisture, resulting in dry, irritated areas, often exacerbated by environmental factors such as salt water, chlorine and UV rays.

Give your skin a helping hand by applying a good-quality moisturiser not just to your face, but to your body, too. We like Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance and St. Tropez Tan Enhancing Body Moisturiser – the latter not only hydrates skin, but also gives your tan a boost!

Step 3: Apply SPF

We all know how important it is to protect our skin from the damaging effects of the sun, but before you pop some sunscreen in your beach bag, make sure you’ve done your research. Most sun-care products expire after two to three years, so that old bottle at the back of the bathroom cupboard won’t cut it – it’s time to invest in something new.

Look for a product that offers a sun-protection factor of at least 30 – we suggest the water-resistant Davines SU Protective Sun Cream SPF 30, or Thalgo Age Defence Sun Cream SPF 30.

Step 4: Fake tan

The safest way to get a sunkissed glow is to fake it, fake it, fake it. Tried tanning at home before but didn’t achieve the results you were hoping for? It’s time to upgrade your bronzer-in-a-bottle. Unlike the old-school tanning products of yesteryear, many modern formulations achieve a streak-free, natural look, and that familiar ‘biscuit’ scent? Long gone.

Try Gatineau Golden Glow Gradual Tan for a slow build-up of a natural-looking tan, or Sienna X SLEEP Tinted Self Tan Lotion for an overnight quick-fix.

Step 5: Treat your feet

There’s nothing worse than putting on a pair of summery sandals and realising your feet look far less than than their best. To beat cracked heels and dry skin, you’ll need to add a soothing moisturising treatment into your beauty routine.

We recommend the Mavala Foot & Leg Duo With Free Beach Bag; it comes with Hydro-Repairing Foot Care to address your skin concerns, and Revitalizing Emulsion For Tired Legs – the perfect product to relax aches and pains. For a more intensive treatment, try the Skin Republic Foot Repair Foot Mask – simply pop the masks on your feet and relax for 20 minutes while the nutrient-rich ingredients get to work.