My 7 summer skincare tips for a safe, sunny summer
Every season of the year changes the conditions our skin must cope with, but perhaps it is the summer months when we face the most extreme of challenges.Here is my quick and easy guide to simple steps you can take to keep your skin healthy and glowing through these gorgeous summer days.
Skincare isn’t just about knowing the right ingredients for the products you choose to apply to your skin; we need to take a more holistic approach, incorporating our diet and lifestyle, too.
1. Check Your Moles
Have you ever had a full-body mole check? If you have been a bit of sun worshipper over the years, it’s worth at least an annual review of every single freckle and mole on every inch, from your hairline to the soles of your feet.
It’s best if you can get someone else to help you with your mole check - unless you can turn your head and bend your back to check your own shoulderblades and buttocks, of course. You need to look out for blemishes that are out of the ordinary - those that don’t fit the pattern of the majority of freckles or moles on your body. Look for moles that have different colours, irregular edges, are raised, itchy or flaky. Keep an eye out for any pink moles, too - pink isn’t a normal colour, so always get these checked. You should take a photo of any moles that concern you, and make an appointment with your GP. You could, if you prefer, go and get a professional mole check. This will require paying for, of course, but what price peace of mind? Try The Mole Clinic, in Manchester, for example.
2. Boost your SPF
We all know you absolutely must wear sun protection every time you leave the house, not just when on the beach or by the pool on our holidays.
I always recommend an SPF of 30 or higher for the best skincare in summer, and a 20 for your face from autumn to spring. If you get in the habit of finishing your morning routine with an SPF, such as my Solar 50, which glides on wonderfully smoothly with a light, wearable texture.
Before your SPF however, try to add some antioxidants - a Vitamin C serum gives the skin a boost of free radical fighting power, helping your own skin protect itself against the damage UVA and UVB rays can do. This will help lessen the appearance of sun-related blemishes and pigment spots, and stop new ones developing.
3. Apply your SPF at least 15 minutes before you go into the sun
Give your chosen suncare time to create the barrier you need before exposing your skin to the sun. You;ve taken the time to apply it, so give it the chance to work properly.
Also, you may not be aware that SPF numbers are tested on how the sunscreen protects skin for just two hours, so if you;re in the sun for longer than two hours, you must top up to ensure you maintain the full protection you are seeking.
4. Stay in the shade
Nobody’s skin is designed to cope with a full day of fierce sunshine. Even 20 minutes unprotected can cause sunburn - as we all witness every single summer when at least one friend or colleague turns up with a scarlet decolletage or shoulders. If you’re planning a full day’s sun, plan to spend at least a part of that time in the shade. Make sure you sit under an umbrella, wear a hat or have lunch or drinks indoors. Big hats are terribly chic, darling, and excellent at preventing squint-wrinkles! Oh, and wear your sunglasses every time you go outside - protecting your eyes can prevent or slow the formation of cataracts. Shudder.
5. Hydrate
Drink plenty of water. It’s not just to keep you cool, which happens when you sweat, so you need to keep your water levels up, it’s because our skin operates best when hydrated - cell function is at its most efficient, the skin barrier is supported and production of collagen and elastic isn’t inhibited.
6. Eat well
Boost your antioxidant intake with masses of fresh fruit. Vitamin C helps prevent oxidative stress on your cell structures, which is vital in battling free radicals, which cause cell damage. A vitamin C serum will direct its power directly to the skin, but eating healthily will make an impact, too.
7. Moisturise
Face and body, slap it on all over!
I love that feeling after day in the sun, when I lather my body in a really good body lotion. Choose one with aloe vera for some lovely, natural support.
As for your face, well, this is when you should really take it to more than the old 1-2-3 step skincare regime! Double cleanse to remove any residue of the suncare, use a hyaluronic serum to hydrate skin from the outside, add a vitamin C serum to feed the skin those antioxidants I have already mentioned, and then apply a luxurious moisturiser to lock it all in.
Your skin is deesigned to protect you from external aggressors, from pollution to damaging UV rays, so treat it with the respect it deserves and help it do it’s job and not only will it protect you, but will keep you looking youthful and healthy and glowing all year round.
Love, Penny xxx