There’s nothing as exciting as coming
to the end of a winter tunnel, even in the unpredictable UK climate. This is the perfect time to have a good old spring
clean be it my wardrobe, make-up bag or face. Getting my skin prepped for summer mainly
involves three things: exfoliating, hydrating and sun protection.
Exfoliating
Though I exfoliate regularly, my seasonal regime involves a Microdermabrasion facial, deep cleansing washes and a face brush.
Left photo is before the face brush cleanse and right photo is after
Microdermabrasion: I love having this facial seasonally because it thoroughly removes dead skin cells and helps extract blackheads and spots. It’s quick, non-invasive and rejuvenating and I always instantly notice the difference. Therapists usually advise a course of three to four in a row but one does the trick for me just fine. The only thing I’d say is have it done a week or few days before any important events or trips. Sometimes you might breakout in spots as everything is coming to surface.
I use this every day and leave it on for about 30 seconds in the shower. This face wash is amazing for drawing out dirt and impurities without drying out my skin.
Freederm Exfoliating Facial Wash: I use this face wash every few days (once or twice a week) to unblock pores and remove excess oil. I’m a big fan of all the Freederm products, as they are specifically aimed at people with spot prone skin.
Bauer Facial cleansing brush:Face brushes have become even more popular of late. I never took notice until I saw the Bauer kit on offer, and decided to give it a try. I have to say this brush is honestly AMAZING! I can instantly see the difference after a deep cleanse as it polishes away dull flaky skin and clears visible pores. I also notice that my skin better absorbs moisturisers after use and is more hydrated. Because I have sensitive skin, I only use about once a month and I would also say don’t clean for my than sixty seconds at a time, and do it gently as it's basically peeling off layers of skin.
Hydrate
Dry skin comes in all different forms based on skin type and environment. Dry skin in the summer is caused by sunburn, air conditioning and blocked pores, so hydration is key. I have naturally dry skin anyway so hydrating in time for summer is even more important to me.
I’ve wanted to try sheet masks for a while and after research, the Tony Moly range seemed to get the best reviews online. This sheet is 100% cotton soaked in hyaluronic acid and glacier water, and its main purpose is to lock moisture in and improve elasticity. I love using this mask every two to three weeks or after a busy (aka alcohol infused) weekend.
This is another sheet mask I love using which is even more hydrating than the Tony Moly one! It contains Tahitian black pearl essence with rich vitamins, minerals and amino acids, as well as deep sea algae. What I love about this mask is that it’s so hydrating that I don’t need to moisturise afterwards. I can also see an instant glow after using it, nearly as if I’ve just had a facial. I highly recommend it
Skin after sheet masks
Sun protection
For many years I didn’t wear any sun protection because frankly, I didn’t think I needed it. That was until I was scolded by many beauty consultants and realised sun cream had to be part my regime (especially in the summer). Many beauty products have SPF nowadays so I've collected quite a few including the BeautyLab Skin Perfecting Moisture Cream (SPF 20), NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer (SPF 30) and PH Advantage skin protection moisturizer (SPF 30).I usually start wearing more SPF around April or on the winter days when the sun comes out. The NARS tinted moisturizer is probably my favourite as it’s a great substitute for ‘no make-up’ days, giving me a natural glow. Most importantly, ramping up my water intake is a huge part of my seasonal skincare transition. I’ve been much better at drinking more recently but go up by at least a litre a day during summer months. It honestly makes a huge difference.
