Whether you are setting off on that long awaited overseas holiday or simply embracing the glorious English summertime, skin protection should be at the top of your holiday checklist as well as part of your daily routine.
As much as we love the sunshine, it can also be very harmful to your skin. When looking for SPF protection, look for products that contain effective UV ratings – UVA (protects against skin ageing), UVB (protects against skin burning).
Try to find products that contain non-nano zinc oxide – as this doesn’t penetrate the skin. It’s also supposed to be the saftest UV filter for human health, marine life and coral reefs. Ensure to apply all SPF products 30 minutes prior to sun exposure and remember to reapply frequently.
Here’s how to trade in dull winter skin for a healthy fresh glow with my five top tips:
1. Fake it ‘til you make it – for a sunkissed glow try NIVEA’s Q10 Firming and Radiance Gradual Tan Body Moisturiser £9.99 400ml
This lightweight gradual tanning body lotion moisturises, noticeably firms and improves elasticity within ten days to leave the skin looking and feeling beautiful. Enriched with proven anti-age ingredient Coenzyme Q10, it provides maximum plumping and firming power. With refreshing scents of rose, jasmine, peach and plum mixed with notes of bergamot, it means you can say goodbye to the dreaded “fake tan” smell.
2. A refreshing spritz with NORDIC-C [VALO] GLOW REFRESH HYDRATING MIST £17.90, 100ML
Hydrate the complexion with Lumene Nordic-C [Valo] Glow Refresh Hydrating Mist. This radiance-boosting formula contains antioxidant-rich wild Arctic cloudberry and vitamin C, along with pure Arctic spring water for an instant hit of hydration.
The product is vegan, containing upcycled and wild-crafted ingredients.
3. Simplify your skincare routine with a face moisturiser and SPF in one with CeraVe’s Facial Moisturing Lotion SPF 50
This is a winning formula of skin-loving ceramides and hyaluronic acid – that’s suitable for all skin types and tones – and has an SPF50 protection plus key ingredients niacinamide and vitamin E to soothe the skin and pollution particle protection to protect against skin damage from city pollutants. Developed with dermatologists, the hydrating, lightweight lotion provides a new level of broad- spectrum SPF protection, paired with three essential ceramides to help restore and maintain skin barrier integrity against daily damaging UVA and UVB rays.
4. Moisturise and shine with Proshine
As a professional make-up artist, I am always on the look out for those hero skincare products, practical and easy to use with a great skin finish.
Which brings me to Proshine – a high shine solid body oil. Easy to apply with a moisturising and healing blend containing Soy Wax, Shea Butter and Mango Butter. Seal in moisture for a smooth and nourished skin, as well as protecting skin from environmental damage. Moringa Oil, Tamanu Seed oil help to brighten and add shine, while D Panthenol/Provitamin B5 helps strengthen the skin barrier as well as preventing moisture loss. Tomato Seed Oil aids in healing dry and cracked skin.
The woody scent has a citrus edge from a combination of Cedar Leaf Oil, Jasmine Oil, Petitgrain Oil and May Chang Oil.
No nasty bits, earth friendly and made in the UK.
5. Exfoliate with NORDIC-C [VALO] FRESH GLOW BRIGHTENING MASK £24.90
Incorporate into your skincare routine once or twice a week, this Gel Mask helps to re-energise dull winter skin giving an even skin tone and natural glow. A source of AHAs, Arctic Cloudberry vinegar helps shed dullness and reveal luminous skin, with a super-gentle chemical exfoliation to dissolve dead skin cells and impurities from the skin’s surface. Jam-packed with antioxidants, protecting skin by counteracting environmental aggressors, including UV damage. Please be aware to stop using any treatment with retinol or AHAs three days before your beach outing as these products exfoliate chemically, making the new skin thinner, more delicate, and more susceptible to a burn.
