How to look after your skin this summer

Sunny days, healthy skin

Summer can be a testing time for our skin and there are particular measures everyone should take to make sure their skin is in the best condition possible and remains that way all summer (and winter) long.

There are a number of precautions to be taken to ensure your skin is feeling its best as the weather heats up, but also to maintain its healthiness throughout the year as well. It is important to change your skincare routine as the season’s change, as, much like our hair or the clothes we wear, our skin needs to adapt to changing conditions too.

In this blog, we talk to skin experts and lovers of skincare to get their top tips on how to keep your skin looking bright and healthy in the summer season. From face masks to sun protection, it’s time to get your summer routine sorted with the help of Champneys.

Applying SPF

It goes without saying that SPF is the number one component in your skincare cabinet this summer, and it should be all year round too. It is recommended that you wear some form of SPF on your face and body every day, as the sun can still penetrate the skin even when it is cloudy and cooler. Broad-spectrum sunscreen not only protects you against UVA but it blocks UVB too making it one of the safest forms of sunscreen to use in all temperatures, just remember to use a high UV rating, either 30 or 50 is usually recommended. It is important to make sure you are re-applying your SPF as often as it is needed, Reapply throughout the day and after swimming if you cream isn’t water resistant.

We spoke to Tahira from Beauty by Tahira and she recommended checking what sun cream you are using to make sure it is safe: “Avoid sunbathing or long exposure to the sun without shade or cover. Small amounts of “unprotected” exposure to the sun is healthy and fine (like 10-20 minutes at a time, out of peak 11 am-2 pm). When using a sunscreen look for reef-safe brands and re-apply if you are outside in the sun for a long time.”

It’s not just your body that needs some protection against the sun, wearing SPF on your face is just as important. Wearing a moisturiser or foundation that contains SPF can protect your face on a daily basis, also allows you to continue wearing your makeup, as usual, knowing you’re still safe.

We spoke to the team at Lily Lolo who recommend applying sun cream before makeup: “Always apply a sunscreen to your skin before applying your makeup. Our Makeup Mist is also a great way to keep your skin hydrated in the heat.”

Additional protection

If you’re planning to jet off on holiday this summer or the weather is looking tropical, it can be a good idea to take some extra measures to protect you from the sun and not just sun cream. Wearing a large hat that can protect your face from the sun is a good idea, as well as making sure you have UV protected sunglasses to protect your eyes or even a parasol to provide some well-needed shade.

“If you are headed outside, wear hats or stay in the shade if at all possible” Is a top tip that Tahira lives by.

Don’t forget your lips

When taking care of our skin, it can be very easy to forget about our lips, which can be really susceptible to burning in the sun. Making sure you carry a lip balm that contains SPF around with you and apply it 3-5 times a day to help prevent any unwanted burnt or chapped lips.

Aloe Vera

When the skin does get burnt, it gets tight, flaky and often itchy and it may seem like the easiest thing to do is to leave it to recover at its own pace. No matter how much sun cream we put on, sometimes sunburn happens but Aloe Vera can be a real life-saver when it comes to easing the pain and relieving any lasting symptoms.

If you’re planning to head out in the sun, it can be useful to get a bottle of Aloe Vera or a moisturiser that contains Aloe oil and make sure you apply it generously when you return inside to quell any potential sunburn and help your skin recover quickly.

Moisturising

No matter how oily or dry your skin is, it is crucial to apply moisturiser on a daily basis. Just because it is summer and our skin may feel dewy, it still requires the vitamins and goodness that comes from a daily moisturiser.

If you are finding that your moisturiser is making you oily as the days get warmer, swapping it for a lightweight alternative or looking for a bottle that has been adapted for oily skin is a good way to go. It is important to make sure that your daily moisturiser contains some SPF to protect your skin.  People see real benefits from having a night cream that contains hyaluronic acid in it too, although all of our skin types are different, so finding your perfect match can be a matter of trial and error. Tahira recommends a hyaluronic acid or light moisturiser: “Try using a hyaluronic serum and light face oil at the end of the day after washing to seal in moisture.”

The team at Lily Lolo told us why they would always recommend moisturising: “Make sure you keep your skin hydrated and nourished, day and night creams are the perfect team to restoring skin radiance and health.”

Birchbox recently released an article on their website that explains the benefits of a moisturiser and why it is important to use it daily:

"In the short-term, proper hydration makes skin look healthy. Many moisturisers use ingredients like caffeine to deliver immediate perking and plumping benefits, but in general, moisturisers lock in water with ingredients like “occlusives,” which prevent water loss in heat or wind, “humectants,” which attract water to skin cells, and “emollients,” which smooths rough and flaking skin. A day after using facial lotion you’ll find the skin is smoother, softer, and fresher-looking.”

Exfoliating

This step is extremely important and one that shouldn’t be skipped when going through your night-time skincare routine. Exfoliating is the only step that will really cleanse the skin and dig out any impurities from your pores and hairs. Use a face scrub or exfoliant and rub it into the skin with a generous amount of water so it froths, the scrub will melt into the skin lifting any oils, impurities and dirt leaving your skin tighter, unclogged and soft.

Exfoliating is an important step in summer as the skin can build up sweat, dust and dirt that would otherwise stay on the skin. These sorts of impurities can cause spots, redness and irritation.

Your face isn’t the only place you should be exfoliating on your body, your legs, arms and stomach are all important places that often get forgotten when it comes to skincare. Dead skin cells can build up on parts of our body that often get dry like our arms and our legs and these can benefit from deep exfoliation at least once a week. Use a beaded or coarse exfoliator like a salt scrub that will lift any impurities from the skin on our bodies and wash away for smooth, silky summer skin.

Cleansing

Much like exfoliating, cleansing is the perfect way to wash away the dirt from the day, leaving your skin clean and able to breathe as you sleep. Reaching for a purifying cleanser, morning and night, allows you to remove excess sebum from the surface of the skin, leaving you feeling fresh and rejuvenated. Cleansers are a great way to remove stubborn makeup through the summer months and are a great way to leave the skin hydrated but matte and ready for a new day of makeup.

Stacked Skincare spoke about the benefits of cleansing the skin in a recent article: “Washing your face before you sleep is one of the most important things you can do to take care of your skin. It’s not just about preventing acne - cleansing at night can help inhibit myriad skin woes and give you a fresher, healthier complexion.”

Tahira recommends: “Keeping skin clean in the summer months is key. With sunscreen, sweat, makeup and the tendency to be outside more, there is more dirt and grime on our faces. I prefer a gentle foaming wash off cleanser in the summer and love rinsing the skin with a washable cotton round soaked in toner or floral water to really refresh the skin and clean any last bits of dirt or makeup at the end of the day.”

Using a face mask

One of the biggest concerns for many people during the summer months is having excess oils on the skin. As well as those who have dry and combination skin, face masks are the perfect way to control the PH of our face and stop any unwanted dryness or build-up of oils.

For those with oily skin, opt for a mattifying mask. Mattifying masks control oils and leave your skin fresh, matte and oil-free. For those with dryer skin types, choose a mask that contains plenty of hyaluronic acid and hydrating serums that will lock in extra moisture and keep your skin dewy and soft for weeks to come.

Applying a mask at least three times a week can give you lasting results that’ll stay effective for the whole summer. Some masks now even contain a mild SPF, so if you’re looking for some extra protection, it can be worth looking for one of these.

Visiting the spa

There is nothing more uplifting for the mind, body and soul than a relaxing spa day, and at Champneys, we pride ourselves on supplying the perfect combination of tranquillity and effective results. The summer months can be hard for our skin, so it is important to make sure you are regularly taking care of it, not only with skincare but with pampering treatments and some time to breathe.

Whether you are after a facial, a body treatment or a hand treatment, we have the perfect option for you. Tailored to your skin type and your body’s needs, our team of expert technicians and therapists are on hand to offer you the perfect day.

Choose a facial and leave with replenished, balanced and revived skin. All of our facial options can be tailored to you and your skin type, so don’t be worried if you have oily or dry skin, we will be able to adapt.

If your body is crying out for some extra moisture and radiance, then one of our many body treatments is a great option for you. Escape the summer sun and indulge in a seaweed wrap or radiance treatment to give your body all of the goodness it needs in the warmer months.

Avoiding makeup

Avoiding makeup is one of the best ways to avoid any unwanted skin irritations during the summer. Makeup can easily clog up the pores, encourage spots and redness and often leave skin uneven and textured, especially if not removed correctly every night.

If possible, avoid using heavy beauty products when the weather gets warmer and opt for lightweight BB creams and powders to avoid heaviness on the skin. Searching for a breathable foundation that also contains a low SPF is always a nice alternative when you feel like your skin might need it.

Whether you’re planning to go on holiday, want to enjoy the summer sun or just want to make sure your skin is in the best condition possible, following these simple steps will give you radiant, hydrated and glowing skin ready for any occasion.

Want to find out more about our range of spa breaks? Head to our website and give your skin the perfect pamper it deserves.