Yes, it’s true, the sun is making more regular appearances and the temperature is on the rise – we’re turning off our central heating and putting our puffs coats away! Yes…we’re now at that wonderful time between spring and summer!
As well as shelving our winter woolies, it’s also the perfect time to review our skincare and make some changes that will see us through the warmer months with our skin in optimal condition.
Let’s begin with cleansing…
You may well be perfectly happy with your cleansing routine but maybe the products that you’ve relied on through the colder months need to be packed away to make room for your spring wardrobe.
Cleansing balms and cleansing creams are a popular choice in the colder months as they are comforting but also provide moisture and nourishment thanks to their blend of nourishing butters and oils and modern formulas mean that there is something for every skin type.
Can you use a cleansing balm in warm weather? The short answer is yes – as they are effective at removing excess oil as well as spf products from the skin due to the fact that they are oil based. They have evolving textures- starting as a nourishing balm, then melting into an oil that dissolves impurities and lastly the emulsified milky state that hydrates the skin.
So here is my selection of cleansing balms that work well in warmer weather…
Elemis pro-collagen Cleansing Balm
The balm has a beautifully smooth, gel-like texture, which emulsifies into a milk when it makes contact with water. It has an absolutely gorgeous scent and reminds me of a spa in a jar. Utilises 9 essential oils including chamomile, eucalyptus, and lavender, and skin soothing Avena Sativa.
If you fancy a complete switch then a foaming cleanser could be the answer especially as they can feel refreshing after a long active day. The better formulations cleanse your skin without upsetting your skin barrier = no dry, tight post-cleansing feeling.
Medik8 Foaming Cleanser
This foaming cleanser is a lightweight, gentle formula that leaves skin feeling refreshed, bright and clean day and night. It is extremely purifying and antibacterial, it lightly exfoliates the skin without any irritation which is incredible!
The Nue Co Barrier Culture Cleanser
Next up is moisture, treatment and protection
The one item that we all need, all year round regardless of skin type is an effective moisturiser. Period.
The next important item is treatment serum that helps to optimise our skin and last but by no means least is SPF.
Winter is definitely a time when heavier moisturisers and face oils are our go-to products, often the richer the better depending on your skin’s needs as you battle to avoid the dryness and dehydration caused by the weather, central heating and not enough water. That was then, now is the perfect time to lighten up.
Serums
After cleansing and toning you’ve probably been using a serum of some sort because let’s face it, we all want to optimise the condition of our skin, don’t we? The thing is that with sooooo many options available it can be hard to know what to use, so I’m going to stick my neck out and say that if in doubt choose a vitamin c serum. I use a vitamin c serum most days, but especially in warmer months because…it’s a great all-rounder: it enhances radiance with long-term use, it helps to prevent hyperpigmentation, it fights free radicals that come from ultraviolet light, It helps with fine lines and boosts collagen production. Lastly, it works really well under sunscreen and works for all skin types.
My Selection…
Dermalogica biolumin-c vitamin c serum
What makes this serum unique is that it is formulated with advanced technology to enable it to deliver more Vitamin C than the average serum (apparently even those with higher concentrations). The advanced bio-technology fuses two forms of ultra-stable Vitamin C with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 along with Lactic Acid, Sophora Japonica Flower and Chia Seed Oil to fight oxidative stress and the appearance of ageing.
Evolve Beauty Bio Retinol + C Skin Booster
This is not a serum or an oil…it is a booster that can be mixed with the aforementioned or used on its own before any other products. This golden elixir combines the power of vitamin c and nature’s answer to retinol …Bakuchiol.
I’ve really enjoyed using this because it has a lovely silky texture that has a lovely affinity with the skin gliding on, sinking in as if it’s what your skin was waiting for.
Wildcrafted Organics Wild Plum Illuminating C complex / serum
If you like using vitamin c as part of your skincare regime, you’ll love this! It’s a luxurious creamy easily absorbed serum in which active Vitamin C, Australian superfruits, Knotgrass extract and Hyaluronic Acid are combined to leave your skin brighter, supple, and protected.
Moisturisers
First thing is that (speaking as a face oil addict with combination skin) face oils are not moisturisers, but they work really well over your moisturiser as they seal the moisture in, as well as providing extra nutrients, protection and radiance.
Moisturiser is a vitally important part of your skincare toolkit all year round.
Our skin needs moisturiser to help support the skin barrier, so now is the time to consider switching to something more lightweight but equally effective.
My selection…
Moisturisers
SPF Moisturisers…
Alpha-H Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF50+
This is a lightweight moisturiser….well it’s not just a moisturiser, it’s actually a 3 in 1: moisturiser, primer and SPF 50! This has a satin matte finish and leaves your skin feeling nicely moisturised and supple. Apart from being a 3 in 1 it’s also got vitamins B5 and vitamin E which is an antioxidant. This works well with other skincare products like serums & face oils. This is also compatible with makeup.
Protection
Now I know that you don’t need me to remind you to use an SPF everyday, but just in case you do… consider yourself reminded. Apart from the combined moisturiser/spf products mentioned above, I’ve got a couple of my favourites, that leave the skin silky smooth with no cast… just protected and feeling great!
Eucerin Sun oil control face protection spf 50
This lightweight gel cream is oil free and feels really good on the skin. It has Glycyrrhetinic Acid which supports the skin’s own cell repair mechanism. Sebum-regulating Oil Control technology with L-Carnitine and absorbing micro-particles give the skin an immediate dry touch finish and a long-lasting anti-shine effect of up to eight hours.” suitable for most sensitive skins. You can find out more about this SPF here.
Denise x
(*PR gift/sample)
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