What ingredients are best for summer skincare?

As we move firmly into the holiday season, our skincare needs to change. I already talked about this in a recent post, but now I would like to get a little deeper into some of the best ingredients for summer skincare, which you may already have in your current collection, but are definitely worth looking out for if you’re topping up.

Salicylic Acid

As we get sweaty (no gentle ‘ladies glow’ here) our skin is at risk of increase sebum production, blocked pores, the arrival of blackheads and breakouts. By including a gentle salicylic wash in your daily routine, you keep skin fresh and clear for the application of more protective ingredients. 

Salicylic acid is a lipophilic ingredient (it combines with and dissolves or absorbs fats and oils) that penetrates deep into the skin, actually right into your pores, unclogging them and helping prevent or reduce breakouts.

You can find gentle salicylic face washes from many of the best brands, and I have used it in my Prep Wash and Prep Power products. I’d recommend Prep Wash as the best summer wash, when you’re exposing your skin to sun, sea, chlorine and external pollutants. It’s gentle so you can use it daily, and will easily lift away the sun cream and skincare products you have applied for the day. If you don’t use it already, make sure you start using it at least five days before your holiday, as introducing new products at the same time as suddenly exposing skin to a whole new environment might not be the best plan.

If you want to learn more about salicylic acid, I wrote about it in detail in my post What is salicylic acid and should I use it on my skin?

Hyaluronic acid

Of course! Hyaluronic acid is a hydrating power house and one I have, admittedly, banged on about repeatedly, such as in my post What is Hyaluronic Acid and how does it work? To summarise, it’s an acid we produce naturally in our own bodies and that ensures skin cells are hydrated and working to optimum levels. Sadly, as we age, we produce less of it - but because it’s naturally occurring, we can take steps to top it up topically - such as with my Power HA serum, which I use on my neck daily, with a little across my crow’s feet area. It absorbs quickly, allowing you to then apply a Vitamin C serum and your daily moisturiser.

Vitamin C

My summer hero product and one I have written about a few time! I can’t get enough of this in summer. It’s a marvellous antioxidant we should all use every day between April and October, when the sun has sufficient power to throw those UVA and UVB rays into our skin. Here’s my most recent post about it! What are the benefits of using a Vitamin C serum?

I have two Vitamin C products, one that has the highest safe level of the most effective form of Vitamin C in skincare, at 20% L-ascorbic acid combined with 0.5 ferulic acid, Power AOX. It’s a powerhouse and one I recommend you use at the end of your day in the sun, after you shower and cleanse away the day. If you have super-sensitive skin, I’d say not to take it away with you unless you’ve been using it for a week or so prior to your departure. Any skincare product with an active ingredient such as Vitamin C can upset skin, so test and build up the usage, always. 

My Serum C product is a gentler introduction to Vitamin C, for new users. This one you can use under your daily moisturiser all summer long, and can be used in the morning before you head out into the sun. Apply it at least 30 minutes before you go outside, however, and before you apply your SPF. 

Aloe Vera

Long known as nature’s moisturising and healing miracle (I keep an aloe vera plant in my kitchen in case I burn myself) aloe vera, when included in skincare, boost hydration and soothes skin, making it perfect for those who are a little sensitive, especially around the sun.

For me, this meant I HAD to include it in my Botanical Balancing Skin Tonic, which I developed especially for sensitive skins. It’s packed with ingredients to hydrate and soothe skin, and is perfect for swiping across skin after a cleanse, before you apply your serum.

I also included Aloe Vera in my Serum Serene. In fact it’s one of the lead ingredients. I developed this serum for women just like me, who are entering (or in the throes of) per-menopause and full menopause, and are seeing a change in their skin, increased sensitivity, maybe a sudden onset of completely bewildering breakouts, or increased dryness in look and feel. I love it and it’s wonderful to use after the Skin Tonic.

I hope you find this useful. I am always very open about the importance of the most beneficial ingredients used at truly beneficial levels, no nonsense and always transparent. A lot of brands disappoint me in this way, naming their product for an active ingredient or one people are becoming more aware of, but actually not including it in amounts really sufficient to be really beneficial, something I would never do.

Enjoy your summer, however you spend it!

Love, Penny xxx