Be Skin Savvy This Summer

As the summer months approach, our skins’ needs and concerns change  - and so should your skin care routine.

The most frequently asked questions revolve around sun screen & the correct factor that one should use on their skin. In truth the best thing that you can do for your skin is to wear a SPF daily.  An SPF of 15 is great for everyday use however if you know that you are going to be out in the sun for the whole day a higher SPF of 30 is ideal. This is when everyone says “yes but I use SPF 100”, that’s great just remember that the higher the SPF the more chemicals in the product which makes this a chemical sun screen which can lead to skin sensitivity in the form of redness & broken capillaries which in turn can take months to repair the damage. It is very important to read your product label & ensure that you are using a broad spectrum UVA & UVB sun screen with a factor of 30 which should be reapplied at regular intervals throughout the day for maximum protection.

Always remember to apply sun screen on your children especially if they are in & out the water reapply every time. Children with their fragile young skins do not yet have that upper layer of dead horny skin that we adults have & are therefore more vulnerable to sun burn. Your skin has a memory so you won’t see the damage now but you will in years to come.

With the warm summer sunshine comes the humidity and we often rely on air conditioning and fans to keep us cool which in turn leads to dehydration of the skin. Dehydration leaves the skin feeling tight with slight fine lines which are visible around the eyes, forehead & mouth. The best way to prevent dehydration is through the addition of exfoliation, boosters/serums & masks to your skin routine.

Many of us think that if you can feel the granules in your exfoliator then you are giving your skin the best scrub ever!!! The best exfoliators however contain fruit acids that work on breaking down the  protein bonds that hold the dead skin cells together thereby giving a deeper exfoliation & stimulating cell turn over as well as allowing deeper product penetration. Without exfoliating your skin regularly all you’re really doing is applying your lovely products on the upper layer of dead skin cells & not really allowing them to go where they need to!!!

Skin repairs and regenerates itself while we sleep, so the best time to treat your skin is at night. The best advise that I give everyone is to apply your mask at night in a very thin layer allow it to absorb, tissue off the excess put your night cream on and sleep with it on. When you wake-up in the morning your skin is hydrated, supple & all the little fine lines that we often mistake for wrinkles have been smoothed over. Morning’s are the best time to apply your booster/serums underneath your daily moisturise as this will help keep the skin hydrated throughout the day & protect from the elements.

Another big concern is break outs and congestion which can occur from the heat and humidity. The best way to treat break outs is not to pick, this only causes pigmented scarring which is very hard to repair. Again at night is when break outs are best treated as well as when you feel that dreaded spot starting with a clearing gel that contains Salicylic Acid which helps control oil production and kills off any bacteria on the skin. Using a tinted spot treatment as opposed to a foundation/base during the day helps to conceal, target and clear the break out.

Don’t forget to scrub and moisturise the skin on your body as this to can show signs of dryness, dehydration and aging. I always suggest a dry body sponge to exfoliate as this improves the circulation which in turn helps with the tone and texture of the skin. A rich, hydrating body butter best used at night is perfect as this means you do not feel creamy & sticky during the heat of the day.

It is always wonderful to look and feel good after a long, hard year. Pampering yourself or a loved one is the very best treat you can give. While we spend more time on the beach and at the pool there are great ways to remain well groomed and relaxed during your holidays.

Having a simple eyebrow and eyelash tint eliminates the hassle of putting on make-up daily yet still look made up. If you really want to look fabulous try Eyelash Extensions they give that glamorous old Hollywood look that can last up to 2 months, throw away your mascara forever!! Another great time saver is a Gel Overlay or Incoco Nail Wrap on your fingers and toes this lasts for up to 2/3 weeks on fingers and 6 weeks on toes without chipping so you don’t have to worry about reapplying nail polish every other day & waiting for it to dry. Indulge yourself with a relaxing Full Body Massage this is a great way to relieve any aches and pains as well as distress the mind.

Here’s wishing you and your family a wonderful festive season and always remember to be sun safe.