A:

Ah, Summer! The promise of warm, sunny days is incredibly enticing, but can come with a few less enjoyable situations; sunburn, dehydrated skin, frizzy hair, and a lot more perspiration. Now, I’ve only spent one full Summer in the UK, but it seems to me that everyone gets very excited for the warmer weather, but after about three days it becomes unbearable (even an Australian can admit it… I could’ve killed for some aircon!), so being prepared is key.

Up the hydration

Rising temperatures and time spent out in the sun can increase the rate at which moisture evaporates from our skin. This isn’t good news for any of us as it means dry skin will get drier, and oily skin will get oilier to compensate.

The solution to this is twofold. Hydrate, and moisturise. If you’re asking yourself, isn’t that the same thing? let’s quickly break it down. Hydration refers to the amount of water your skin is absorbing, drawing moisture in from the atmosphere (or your skincare). Moisturising, on the other hand, is about locking that moisture in, which is why moisturisers contain ingredients that create a layer of protection and strengthen your natural skin barrier. So, to increase our hydration we need a healthy dose of Hyaluronic Acid (our favourite hydrating ingredient!), which you can get in our Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum, Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Cleanser, Green Tea Daily Toner, Niacinamide Daily Toner, or our Peptide Facial Serum (yes, we love the stuff). And don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t use triple Hyaluronic Acid in your routines!

To moisturise, we’re looking for ingredients which balance being hydrating with creating a seal. Aloe Vera is a great choice (especially if you get a little sun-kissed!), as well as Shea Butter and oils like Sunflower, Jojoba, and Squalane. The two latter are great for oily skin as they are ‘skin identical’ ingredients, meaning they are very similar to the oils produced in our skin so we absorb them well, and they don’t disrupt our oil balance. You can find these in our range of Facial Oils and Moisturisers! Make sure to apply your moisturiser before heading out into the world, so that all the moisture already in your skin stays put! And of course, again in the evening to make up for any lost moisture and lock in your skincare products over night.

If you’re lucky enough to have air conditioning, or even a large fan in your room, moisturising your skin is extra important. While air conditioning is great for our temperature, it lowers air humidity creating ‘dry air’, which over time can rob your skin of moisture. If your skin type is dry, you may benefit from investing in a humidifier to help counteract the drying air impact, as moisture is less likely to evaporate from your skin. They’re also great for relieving dry eyes, and provide an optimum environment for your indoor plants – win, win!

Drink plenty of water

Yes, yes, drinking more water is a good solution for many things, summertime skincare included! The water you drink eventually makes its way to your skin cells, so drinking plenty of H₂O will help to keep your skin looking fresh and bright. And, you lose moisture as you sweat, so we need to account for that too.

Protection, protection, protection!

UV exposure remains one of our biggest risks for premature signs of ageing, moisture loss, and general complexion dullness, so keeping our skin protected is a must - especially in summer! SPF is non-negotiable, and always opt for a factor of at least 30. Don’t skip those usage instructions either, because reapplying is equally important to keep your risk of UV-related skin damage low.

We recommend you stick to morning and evening walks in the sun, and stick to the shade during the middle of the day where you can.

Many of us forget to apply SPF to a few key areas, resulting in an uncomfortable sunburn that can have long term effects! Even though your head is a major focal point for the sun, we rarely think to protect our scalps. After a day at the beach, your scalp can feel itchy, sore, or appear red if you’re experiencing sunburn. It’s even more important to protect our scalp as we age, as hair gets thinner and more scalp is exposed. A spray-on SPF is the best option for scalp protection. If you don’t like the idea of applying sunscreen to your scalp, don’t forget to wear a hat - a wide-brimmed style will also help to protect your face from sun rays.

Skip the suntan

Who needs a real tan, when you could just get the same effect from the comfort of your own home? Slap on the sunscreen, and head to your local pharmacy or shop online for some fake tan if you’re in the mood for a warmer tone this season. Don’t forget to moisturise daily to keep the golden glow looking even for longer. If you’re looking for a natural highlight without the whole palaver, try our Squalane Facial Oil instead!

Refresh throughout the day

Just because it’s not within the usual hours of your morning or evening routine, doesn’t mean you can’t apply a little extra skincare to support your skin! A quick swipe of your favourite toner (or spritzed on from a spray bottle) can help to remove pollutants you’ve picked up and excess oils, cool your skin, and bring a little more glow back to your complexion. Just don’t forget to reapply your SPF afterwards!

Never skip a cleanse

To come full circle back to my introduction, sweat. Whilst sweating is great in general (cooling us down, and flushing out toxins and irritants), when it sits on your skin all those toxins, irritants, bacteria and excess oils sit with it. Leave it too long, and your skin will start to reabsorb them, which could lead to skin discomfort and clogged pores. This is why it’s important to never skip a cleanse! In fact, this is the best time to adopt double cleansing if you haven’t already. SPF can be a culprit for congested skin too, so it’s important to remove it thoroughly at the end of the day. If you’re out and about on a sweltering day and come home feeling pretty slick (and not in a good way), don’t wait to wash the day away! If you’re cleansing mid-afternoon, stick to super gentle products like our Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Cleanser, to get the job done whilst keeping your complexion well balanced. Hydration is super important as you don’t want to dry out your skin before your evening skincare regime!

And of course, enjoy the sunshine!

Amy @ Team Q+A