Ace-Skincare

Summer proof your skin

Get a radiant summer complexion with these tips from holistic makeup guru Sarah Jagger.

Get a radiant summer complexion with these tips from holistic makeup guru Sarah Jagger.
Long days at the beach can play havoc with your skin, so make sure you keep your complexion in tip-top condition with these DIY tips:

Regularly apply a mineral sunscreen

We all know that applying a high factor sunscreen is important however it can often clog pores and leave your skin feeling greasy. If you’re prone to skipping the sunscreen because it feels too heavy try a lighter lotion such as Kimberly Sayer Ultra Light Facial Moisturiser SPF 25, £24.50. Remember that sunscreen is only effective if applied regularly – the first application should be half an hour before going in the sun and then at least once every hour you spend in direct sunlight.

Remove sunscreen thoroughly

If you tend to be more prone to spots and blackheads during the summertime, it may be that your cleanser isn’t removing your sunscreen properly. Sunscreens bind to the skin more than most daytime moisturisers and foundations, often leaving behind a residue long after you’ve washed your face. I recommend the ‘twice cleanse’ approach – mix a very small amount of exfoliating grains together with your cleanser for the first wash and then use cleanser alone on the second wash .Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, £28.08, is a rice-based enzyme powder that is gentle enough to use every day and won’t irritate sensitive complexions.

Use a hydrating toner

Liz Earle Instant Boot Skin Tonic, £18, contains hydrating aloe vera and antioxidant Vitamin E to protect the skin from damaging free radicals. Not only will this help remove any sunscreen residue post-cleansing but if you buy the bottle with the spray option you can use it as a refreshing face spritzer to stop your skin drying out at the beach.

Make a fruit boost

Adding a serum to your skincare regime will give your complexion the boost it needs

Often the best skincare can be found in our kitchen! Fruits such as papaya and pineapple contain active enzymes which help to break down the ‘glue’ that holds dead skin cells to the surface of the complexion. For an instant facial effect simply rub the inside of the fruit’s skin all over your freshly cleansed skin and neck. Leave on for 20 minutes and remove with damp cotton wool.

Use a face mask

If you can’t avoid spending a lot of time in the sun it’s essential to use a face mask two to three times a week to heal your complexion from sun damage as well as deeply cleanse away sunscreen build up. Dr Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask, £55, contains an oat blend which not only sooths and calms but also exfoliates and hydrates. For added hydration and moisturisation, mix with goat’s milk and honey before applying to the face, neck and chest.

Add a serum to your regime

During the summer months, whether you’re sunbathing or not, the UVA rays, UVB rays and free radicals will almost definitely play havoc with your complexion. Adding a serum to your skincare regime (before your moisturiser, both morning and night) will give your complexion just the boost it needs. I absolutely love the feel of Arbonne Intensive Renewal Serum, £44, – a fantastic all-rounder containing the powerful anti ageing preservative Vitamin C to smooth the surface of the skin.

Heal sunburn

If you can’t avoid spending a lot of time in the sun it’s essential to use a face mask

If sunburn has crept up on you, never be tempted to smother your skin in heavy creams – this will only trap the heat in and make the sunburn more painful! Instead splash your face a few times with cold but not icy water and then apply a lotion containing aloe vera such as Aubrey’s 98 per cent certified organic Pure Aloe Vera, £6.99, which is particularly effective on delicate areas like the neck and chest that don’t do well with heavy after sun creams.

Get a safer tan

If you simply can’t resist a little sunbathing, top up your tan with Green People’s Certified Organic Self Tan, £10.99, or REN’s Tan Enhancing After-Sun Cream, £21.50, which contains bio-actives to boost melanocytes and enhance your colour so that you don’t need to stay in the sun as long to achieve the tan you’re after.

Remember

“Always use a separate night cream”

During the daytime, your skin is busy trying to fight off the damaging effects of the environment, which is why as you sleep it instinctively goes to work producing new skin cells. This is when any products are most readily absorbed (one of the main reasons why you shouldn’t sleep in your makeup), making a night cream a vital part of your skincare regime, especially during the potentially damaging summer months. Treat yourself to a decadent night cream like ILA’s new Rainforest Renew Night Cream for Skin Regeneration, £65, which contains a unique blend of antioxidants that are ethically-sourced from the rainforest to repair, rebuild and boost the complexion.

Article by

Sarah Jagger

Holistic Make-up Artist