Summer is all about healthy glowing skin, but even without the skin care challenges we find in winter, this doesn’t just magically come to most of us when the temperatures rise. In fact, the summer heat can pose different skin challenges that make getting that dewy look you covet hard to achieve.

Here are some summer skin care tips to help you get healthy glowing skin with very minimal effort – because another thing summer is all about is relaxing and enjoying some free time!

1. Exfoliate

Topping my list is the #1 must-do skin care step if you want healthy glowing skin: exfoliate. Removing the dead skin cells from your skin’s surface is a great way to reveal that glowy skin underneath. If you have clogged pores or flaky patches, these are both your skin’s way of crying out for help, so give it what it wants! 

Here are some of the benefits of exfoliating:

• Long-term exfoliation increases collagen production, which is the key to getting vibrant, glowing skin
• Regular exfoliation prevents clogged pores, which means fewer breakouts
• It reduces the appearance of fine lines and sagging by promoting skin elasticity

In short, there’s so much to gain from something so simple.

Now, when it comes to exfoliating, you can try the physical approach or the chemical one. Physical exfoliants include cleansing scrubs (you can even make your own), dry brushes, exfoliating mitts and derma rollers. Chemical exfoliation, meanwhile, involves using treatments containing chemicals like hydroxy acids and retinols to peel away the surface of your skin so newer skin cells can grow and take their place.

I personally like the manual approach, and I use the Braun Skin Spa Exfoliation and Cleansing Kit to do it because it works six times better than doing it by hand. I’m all about being efficient and saving time! You can use it wet or dry, and it gets the job done without irritating my skin. It also removes makeup and impurities in your pores for a clearer complexion, leaving your skin ready for those makeup-free days at the beach.

What’s more; it’s body brush attachment means I can exfoliate my entire body while I’m in the shower. I’ve never exfoliated as much in my life – it’s so easy! My skin has never looked as dewy.

2. Moisturise 

It’s pretty easy to remember to moisturise your skin in winter, especially when your heater is on and your skin starts feeling tight. But you also need to moisturise in summer, even if it seems a bit counterintuitive when you’re sweaty and shiny.

Excessive summer heat like we’ve been getting here in Malta can dehydrate your skin like nothing else. Just like a day out in the sun leaves you reaching for your water bottle constantly, your skin also gets thirsty form the heat. And if you’re spending more time indoors with the air conditioning on – and who isn’t?! – the dehumidified air can dry your skin out much like a heater.

If you thought you could skip the moisturiser because you have oily skin, think again; you might even find that moisturising helps your oiliness. That’s because your skin might be creating extra oil to compensate for dryness. When your skin is too dry, your body ramps up its production of the oily substance known as sebum that protects it from drying out. 

So, now that we know why you should moisturise, let’s talk about how to do it.

Look for a non-comedogenic moisturiser to avoid clogging your pores and use it twice a day – once in the morning and once before bed. If you’ve been swimming, you can apply some after drying off as well. There are lots of light options you can use to get healthy glowing skin without feeling like an oil slick. I always opt for a lighter formula in summer and save the heavy creams and oils for winter (or after a day at the beach), but if you can also use the same product year-round.

Other useful tips

Exfoliating and moisturising are, hands down, the two best things you can do for your skin in summer. But there are some other smaller ways you can help your skin as well. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated and flush out toxins, shower with water that’s cool or lukewarm rather than hot, and wear sunscreen before you go outdoors if you want healthy glowing skin.

Happy weekend!

Love,

Nakita xxx