Unfortunately, just like winter, summer and the change of seasons can have a drying effect on your skin. There are a number of factors that can cause this, such as the sun and chemicals found in swimming pools. Both of these culprits can strip your skin of sebum which is your skin’s protective barrier.
The same can be said for air conditioners, as they work by removing moisture from the air around you. If your skin isn’t producing enough natural oils, it can lead to patches of red, itchy, flaky, and sensitive skin.
Luckily, there are a few preventative measures you can take. Renowned specialist in aesthetic medicine and owner of SkinMiles, Dr Alek Nikolic, shares some of his tips on how to fool proof your summer skincare regime.
The first thing you should think about swopping out your moisturiser. “An insider tip is to try switching to a lightweight moisturiser to keep your skin hydrated in summer without overloading it,” says Dr Nikolic.
The next step is exfoliation, which welcomes in summer glow. Many are hesitate to exfoliate during summer, but exfoliating regularly prevents acne by opening pores and removing dead skin cells, product build up and excess oils.
Overdoing exfoliation, however, can leave your skin irritated. “I suggest incorporating a gentle exfoliator into your skincare routine once a week during the warmer months. My preferred exfoliators are products that use gentle acids like glycolic, citric, salicylic and lactic acid to help slough away pore cloggers,” continues Dr Nikolic.
The final step is all about sun protection. SPF ratings can be misleading as it is a rough guide to how well a sunscreen will protect your skin from harmful UVB rays. SPF protection works differently on everyone, because it really depends on a number of factors namely, skin type, amount applied, and intensity of sunlight.
To calculate how much protection your skin needs, start by looking at how long it takes for your skin unprotected to start burning. Then multiply that number in minutes by the SPF rating given to the product you’re using. For example, if you usually burn after five minutes of unprotected sun exposure and you are wearing an SPF 15, then you’ll get 75 minutes of protection.
“Besides SPF, we’re big believers in using sun creams that contain zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. These minerals protect your skin by reflecting all harmful UVA and UVB wavelengths,“ adds Dr Nikolic.
One teaspoon of sunscreen for each part of your body should do the trick. Remember that when it comes to sunscreen, once is never enough: at the very least, you should be re-applying every two hours, or more often after swimming, exercising, or sweating.
It is important to note that SPF is its own layer in your skincare routine and mixing it with other ingredients may dilute the formula. “While applying a moisturiser or foundation with SPF is better than applying no protection at all, I would recommend using a separate sunscreen,“ says Dr Nikolic.
Your ideal summer skincare routine should look something like this:
Morning:
- Gentle foaming cleanser: Try NEOSTRATA Skin Active Exfoliating Wash
- Balancing toner: Try LAMELLE Skin Essence Corrector
- Vitamin C serum: Try sk.in gloss | radiant shot
- Lightweight moisturiser: Try DERMACEUTIC Hyal Ceutic
- SPF 30 or higher: Try HELIOCARE 360° Water Gel SPF50
- Non-comedogenic makeup
Evening:
- Gentle foaming cleanser: as above
- Balancing toner: as above
- Vitamin A or retinol serum: Try sk.in flash 2 | repair shot
- Lightweight moisturiser If necessary: as above
Visit www.skinmiles.com and sign up for a free Face2Face Assessment. You will receive personal recommendations from Dr Nikolic for your skin type or skin concern.
ALSO SEE HAIR REMOVAL OPTIONS TO GET SUMMER READY
