nicolameirholistic

Jun 13, 20233 min read

Summer skin

When the weather is this hot there are a few things we can do to keep our skin comfortable, hydrated and protected.

🔹Thoroughly cleanse the skin with a gentle cleanser (not a harsh facial wash) to remove sweat, oil, pollution, make up, sun cream etc. Cleanse once in the morning and twice (double cleanse) in the evening. It's super important to clean the skin twice in the evening to thoroughly remove suncream which is designed to stay put on our skin so it takes some removing. I like to use a combination of lighter gel cleansers in the morning and richer hardworking balms and oils in the evening to effectively remove everything.

Here are a few of my favourites:

🔹 Spritz a hydrating facial mist throughout the day to cool and hydrate. Keep it in the fridge when at home for an extra icy treat and carry in your bag for an instant cool down. Spray onto your face, neck, wrists and back of neck. It won't affect makeup either. However, try to avoid those atomised water sprays i.e. Evian as these will dehydrate the skin. They are just water with no hydrating and nourishing properties. I sometimes carry a pocket fan in my bag and aim it at my face once i've sprayed the mist.

Here are a few of my top picks:

🔹Apply a serum containing hyaluronic acid to damp skin (cue your face mist) for hydration. Hyaluronic acid has the ability to hold x1000 times it’s own weight in moisture and so is an incredible hydrator. It works best applied to damp rather than dry skin. All skin types can use it. It is a skin saviour!

Here are some of my favs:

🔹Apply SPF liberally and reapply every two hours. There are many facial SPFs which can be sprayed over makeup throughout the day because, lets face it, who is going to remove all of their make up to reapply suncream and then reapply make up? Not many of us! Always choose a broad spectrum suncream (UVA, UVB protection with five stars) and opt for at least factor 30 but ideally factor 50 and apply this to clean skin in the morning. If you wear make up apply this over the top of your SPF and then carry a facial sunscreen in spray form to use throughout the day. If you feel like your skin is overloaded or sweaty after applying your moisturiser and SPF drop the moisturiser on the hottest days. But make sure you are using a super moisturising SPF and if you are able to apply it in stages. Apply one light layer, then clean your teeth for example, and they apply another layer in order to get the right coverage without overloading the skin.

Here are some that I really like:

🔹 Keep a couple of dessert spoons in the fridge and apply the back of them to the face in light sweeping motions. This is an amazing and cheap way to cool and refresh the skin. Make sure you have product applied to the skin beforehand so that the spoons glide. Support the skin with two fingers as you move the spoons so as not to drag or pull. Rest over closed eyes for a cool relaxing effect.

The tools below are incredible at cooling the skin. But spoons work well too:

🔹There are some ingredients which are quite powerful and should be used with a little caution at this time of year. This is because they increase our risk of sun sensitivity, therefore sunburn and sun damage such as pigmentation.

If you use exfoliating acids that include AHAs and/or Retinoids during the summer months only use them at nighttime and I would personally lay off of them if you are going abroad. It's an absolute must to wear sunscreen everyday. This really is a non negotiable if you are using these products. But we should be wearing an SPF all year round and reapplying regularly.

There is an exfoliating acid alternative which is more suited to these hotter summer months. PHA (Polyhydroxy Acid) is more gentle. It doesn't cause sun sensitivity, is great for all skin types, exfoliates effectively, is an incredible anti-inflammatory, a great repairer and protective antioxidant. Therefore it can be used in the day time.

I love this one: