Words by Korean beauty expert Vicky Lee.
The warm sunshine, long lazy days that become warm romantic nights, and then the fun-filled holidays with friends, to name just a few things that make summer one of the best seasons of the year. That said, when it comes to our skincare, the scorching heat and unrelenting UV rays can play havoc with our skin; UV radiation quickly leads to dehydrated skin, while heavy temperatures can cause our complexion to become shiny and more prone to blemishes. It takes nothing short of a miracle to stop these problems in their tracks when the hotter weather kicks in, which is why it’s necessary to make a few tweaks to keep our daily skincare routine in the summer months.
Here are a few of my top tips on keeping a healthy summer glow intact:
1. Use a facial mist throughout the day
Facial mists are the most convenient way to keep skin hydrated on-the-go. Always carry one in your purse and spray it on your face whenever you feel your skin needs that extra quench of moisture, helping your skin stay healthy and supple in the sun. What’s more, a facial mist provides some welcome respite from the heat, too!
2. Control skin temperature with Cucumber, Aloe Vera and Green Tea
Another trick to keep skin hydrated and fresh in the summer is to look for skincare products with cucumber, aloe vera, and green tea ingredients. These naturally hydrating ingredients are pleasantly refreshing on skin, helping to stabilise its temperature to an optimum level, even in the heat. Aloe vera also has soothing and conditioning properties, while cucumbers and green tea are rich in antioxidants which even help prevent premature wrinkles.
3. Keep your sheet masks in the fridge
Summer skincare is all about keeping the skin fresh and cool. So when summer comes around, storing your sheet masks in the fridge makes for an extra cooling effect. Use this trick with your toner and cleanser and you might be surprised to find this helps them last longer, too.
4. Use hydration-boosting skincare products
Skincare products with glycerin and hyaluronic acid are an absolute must when the weather heats up. They help draw moisture from the air back into the skin, hydrating skin cells without the need for extra oils or build-up of product. They also help plump up the skin, leaving you with a more luminous glow and a youthful-looking appearance.
5. Drink plenty of green tea
Green tea is one of the best summer drinks for flawless and beautiful skin. Rich in antioxidants that fight free radicals and soothe sun damage (two of the main causes of premature aging); just one cup of green tea every morning will help keep our complexions smooth and wrinkle-free. Try it cold for an extra crisp and refreshing drink!
6. Wear sunscreen every day (and don’t forget your lips)
Sunscreen isn’t just for the beach. We know that UV rays are responsible for up to 80% of premature aging, so it’s absolutely essential to wear sunscreen with a high SPF every single day in order to prevent wrinkles and dark spots. Top tip – don’t forget the lips! The skin on your lips is thinner than the rest of the body, meaning extra care and protection is required.
7. Use blotting paper
Always keep oil control packs or blotting papers in your purse; you’ll wonder how you ever lived without before. Whenever the high temperatures cause your sebaceous glands to go into overdrive, the culprit to that mid-day shiny face, simply dab gently around the t-zone to blot away excess oil. It’s by far the easiest way to keep skin matte and blemish-free whenever you’re out and about.
8. Get sandal-ready feet with a foot mask
After being confined to boots and woollen socks for months on end, your feet need some extra TLC before you feel ready to show them off in pretty summer footwear. Foot masks are all the rage in Korea at the moment as they quickly soothe calluses and soften skin, getting your dainty feet sandal-ready in no time.
9. Use clay masks regularly
When the temperatures start to rise, our skin tends to produce more sebum than it needs to stay naturally hydrated. If left on the skin, this sebum can easily clog the pores, making them look larger and leading to more blemishes and breakouts. Clay masks have powerful oil-absorbing properties that soak up this excess oil, in turn reducing the appearance of pores to leave skin clear and blemish-free all summer long.
10. Drink 8 glasses of water everyday
Water makes up about 60% of our body weight, so it’s an absolute essential for the keeping the body functioning correctly. Water helps detoxify the body by flushing out toxins from vital organs, carrying nutrients to our cells, and keeping our bodies and skin hydrated from the inside out. It is recommended to drink at least 8 glasses a day during summer to keep our bodies and skin healthy and hydrated as normal.
