You’ve already spent weeks complaining about the heat and humidity outside, but pace yourself. It’s still June, after all. Instead, take comfort in the fact that summer skincare isn’t actually that complicated. All it takes is a handful of tips alongside some trustworthy products that will keep your skin looking glowy and perfect – and we’ve managed to whittle it down to just four.
On the Daily
“If you are using sunscreen often and in abundance, it is important to exfoliate regularly to remove its build-up and avoid breakouts,” says dermatological expert Dr. Maryam Zamani. “I love the NeoStrata ‘Foaming Glycolic Wash’. It gives my skin a fantastic, deep cleanse while increasing cell renewal. You can use it to gently exfoliate on a daily basis and unclog congested pores. It helps remove a build-up of sunscreen and dead skin from the face, too.”
Protection Perfection
“Protecting your skin from the sun’s rays is a must to prevent premature aging,” says facialist Nichola Joss, who counts Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Moss as clients. “I love the Susanne Kaufmann ‘SPF25 Sun Cream Cell Protection’. It’s waterproof, so it won’t come off in the pool. Plus, it contains the newest, most effective UVA and UVB filters to protect the face and body from the sun, as well as plant actives that fight against free radicals to regenerate and repair damaged skin cells.”
Feet First
Wearing sandals and going barefoot can be bad news for the feet, leaving them dry and cracked. “Feet need exactly the same care and attention as the skin on your body, so moisturizing every day with a foot-specific moisturizer is essential,” says celebrity podiatrist and foot expert Margaret Dabbs.
“I use my own ‘Intensive Hydrating Foot Lotion’, which can be used on feet and legs to reduce redness and calm the skin if you’ve had too much sun. And remember to regularly buff feet dry with a foot file. Walking on the sand is great for exfoliating the feet, but it can leave the skin ragged. Using a foot file gives a much smoother finish.”
Soothe and Smooth
“The sun, the sea, and water sports like water skiing, jet skiing, and swimming can strip your skin of its natural moisture, so it’s important to rehydrate it,” advises Dr. Zamani. “I like to use the Eau Thermale Avène ‘Soothing Moisture Mask’ at night after cleansing my face. It’s nice to have a cool mask on the face after being in the heat all day long, so place it in the fridge for 15 minutes and then put it on to hydrate and soothe skin. It will, of course, help if you are sunburnt, but the goal is to not be sunburnt!”
