Summertime is a beautiful time of year, but it isn’t always gentle on your skin. Increased exposure to UV rays, hot winds and moisture-depleting air-conditioning make the perfect recipe for dull, dehydrated, sensitive and thickened skin. Thankfully, you don’t need to overhaul your skin care routine to defend your skin this summer. All you need are these five easy tweaks to make your skin glow from within—even if it’s 100 degrees outside.
1. Cleanse Your Skin…Again
For clear skin, the rule of thumb is to cleanse twice at night—first to remove makeup, sunscreen and dirt; and second to address the skin and the pores. Using a cleansing milk or oil is ideal because it will bind to excess oils and makeup when applied on dry skin, which you then emulsify with water and rinse away. Foaming cleansers can disrupt your protective acid mantle, stripping the skin of vital moisture that may already be depleted by sun exposure. I recommend Dr. Hauschka Soothing Cleansing Milk, which utilizes plant oils, loess clay and an extract of fermented grain for a cool, gentle and highly effective cleanse.
2. Exfoliate…But Don’t Scrub
During summer, excessive sweating and increased oil production—coupled with layers of sunscreen and multiple makeup touch-ups—can lead to congested pores and random breakouts. Exfoliating is key, but be cautious of scrubs, which can be harsh and abrasive on the skin, and enzymes, which can irritate and dehydrate sensitive or sun-affected skin.
3. Don’t Go 100% Oil-Free
The skin has a different set of needs during summer, and choosing the right moisturizer will play a big role in the texture and comfort of your skin throughout the day. Choosing a lighter moisturizer for the summer months makes sense, but don’t go completely oil-free. Your skin can sense the level of oil on the surface of the skin. If depleted, it can kick your sebaceous glands into overdrive, leading to excess shine or congestion. Choose a moisturizer with gentle plant oils that will help to keep your natural oil production in check.
4. Ease Up on Makeup
A full face of makeup is not always ideal for a day at the beach, camping or even running errands in the heat. That’s why Translucent Bronzing Tint is my hero product for summer. This light, mineral-based liquid bronzer can be added into any moisturizer, sunscreen or body lotion to smooth imperfections and add a kiss of color. Mineral pigments add color and glow, and the green base of chlorophyllin copper complex will help deflect and minimize redness. If you’re a victim of too much sun, this can also diminish the appearance of “lobster” face!
5. Include EFA, H2O and Antioxidants in Your Diet
As they say: You are what you eat. Your skin is a reflection of your internal state, and you will notice a difference in the texture of your skin when you stay hydrated and regularly tuck into juicy summer fruits, leafy greens and foods rich in essential fatty acids (EFA). As an Aussie, I am advising you to quite literally throw a shrimp—or a fish—on the barbie. A diet and skin care regimen both rich in antioxidants and healthy fats will result in a radiant glow and clarity to the skin, and you’ll be setting yourself up for long-term skin health and a youthful appearance by neutralizing damaging free radicals.
The health and beauty benefits of mineral-rich ocean water have been touted for centuries, but sometimes you can have too much of a good thing! If your skin is starting to feel a little dry, lather on a hydrating body lotion that is low in oils so it won’t trap in heat.Beauty