They say that summer bodies (whatever they are!?) are made in winter, but summer skin is all in the preparation too. When the jumpers come off, how can we make sure our skin is looking and feeling at its best?
Read on for our 5 top tips to boost your skincare this spring…
#1 Cleanse
Ok, so you are probably already doing this but it becomes even more vital in the summer months when we sweat more and get hot and bothered just walking to the shops. Many of us switch to showers too in the summer and ideally, you want to avoid having them super hot as this can easily dry your skin out. Instead, opt for a warm shower followed by a burst of cold water at the end to really wake you up.
Our Revitalising Botanical Body Wash is your perfect shower companion. Containing pure essential oils of eucalyptus, rosemary, black pepper, vetiver and cypress, our signature Island blend will leave you feeling refreshed and revived, ready to face the hot day ahead.
#2 Prepare
One of the simplest things you can do is add exfoliation into your regime. It’s a step that a lot of people skip out, but it is key in preparing your skin to be at its best. Apply your exfoliator during your bath or shower and work in a circular motion over the body to slough off dead skin cells and reveal revitalised, fresh skin. Pay particular attention to elbows and kneecaps – especially if you are going to use a self-tanning lotion as these areas will absorb lotion unevenly if the skin is very dry and unconditioned.
Try our Indulgent Body Scrub - a luxurious blend of ethically sourced ingredients, including, Safflower seed oil, natural sugar and pure essential oils to leave your skin soft, smooth and delicately scented. Choose between uplifting Mandarin & Eucalyptus or calming Geranium, Lavender, Bergamot & Ylang Ylang.
#3 Moisturise & Protect
It does not matter whether you are going to be working in the garden, hitting the beach or walking the dog – your skin is constantly subjected to the drying effects of the sun, so keeping it hydrated and protected at all times is key. You can switch to a lighter moisturiser in the warmer months, as it’s unlikely your skin will need something as heavy as you used in the winter, but be careful not to forget dry skin. If you skip the crucial step of moisturising, your oil glands can overcompensate and create more oil, which can create breakouts!
And, I’m sure we don’t need to remind you of the importance of applying (and reapplying!) sunscreen. You need at least a factor 30 on your face and this needs to be reapplied every couple of hours - you can’t just rely on the morning application. This will not only help shield your skin from sunburn but also keep sun-induced hyperpigmentation at bay and slow premature ageing.
#4 Less is more
When it comes to makeup in the hot sun, less is most definitely more unless you want it melting down your face!
Switch your foundation for a tinted moisturiser, invest in a decent waterproof mascara and consider using a setting spray. And above all, look for products that contain natural plant oils, instead of mineral 'bulking' oils. Plant oils are more easily absorbed by our skin, non-clogging and will help to leave your skin feeling balanced, preventing breakouts.
We don’t have to remind you to remove your make-up every night before bed, right?
#5 Smile!
Your skin looks its best when you are comfortable in it, so enjoy the warmer months and the gifts they bring, such as lighter evenings to enjoy a family BBQ, the scent of honeysuckle in the garden and the feeling of lush grass beneath your feet.
We like to use scent to help us create the atmosphere we want in our home, be it calming, uplifting or balancing. A perfect scent for the summer months, try our Geranium, Lavender and Bergamot collection. The delicate notes of rose-scented geranium, soothing herbaceous lavender and uplifting bergamot zest combine to create a spa-like scent, inspired by warm summer days in a British country garden. Our go-to in the summer is the room-mist, giving us a botanical boost whenever we need it.