This week You! takes a look at some summer essential skincare and makeup that you need to look out for…
beauty
If you don’t know this already, skin care should be an important part of your daily routine, no matter what the season. In fact, the changing seasons call for some adjustments in your skin care regimen. So, while your winter moisturisers were doing wonders to keep your skin supple that might not be the case when the temps rise. Similarly, your serums for summers wouldn’t do much for when it gets chilly outside.
While summer is a time for fun activities, there is also humidity and the suffocating heat. Moreover, your skin can become dehydrated in the summer due to sun exposure, air conditioning and coming in touch with chemicals such as chlorine in the pools. And now, thanks to the pandemic, we also have masks that creates localised humidity which causes breakouts, or more specifically, maskne. This week You! takes a look at some summer essential skincare and makeup that you need to look out for…
Ah, yes, sunscreen. You must have heard this a million times before, well… that’s because it is crucial that you do. But there are some really important sunscreen tips to remember: Use a physical sunscreen (aka, one whose key ingredient is zinc or titanium dioxide) and choose one that’s SPF 30 or higher. Physical, as opposed to chemical, sunscreens provide a shield reflecting the sun’s rays and preventing UV penetration.
Studies show that traditional white zinc oxide (as opposed to nanoparticles of zinc) continues to be the absolute safest and most effective sunscreen ingredient, defending against UVA and UVB rays.
However, if you have oily and acne-prone skin, opt for a dual moisturiser, which, well… moisturises you and also acts as an SPF.
A lightweight moisturiser with SPF of 30 or higher may be plenty for most people as long as you’re applying a generous amount and reapplying every couple of hours. For a lightweight two-in-one, try the Olay Regenerist Whip Active Moisturizer With Sunscreen, which offers smoothing hydration and SPF 40 protection without smothering your skin.
Lighten up your skincare routine
If you’re not wearing a winter coat, why should your skin? For this weather, your skincare routine needs to be a little more light-weight. Swap out your heavier cleansers (think cream or oil cleanser) in favour of a gentle, foaming option. Some of the lightweight moisturisers that you can use this summer include: Peach and Lily Matcha Pudding Antioxidant Cream, Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream, Tatcha The Water Cream, E.l.f. Cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream.
Take a close look at your makeup product labels and only keep those that are noncomedogenic. That’s a fancy word for a product formulated without pore-clogging ingredients. So, when it comes to keeping acne, breakouts, and large pores at bay during the day, a non-comedogenic foundation is the way to go. This will also prevent the cyclical drama of covering up your blemishes only to create new ones.
For a primer, there is Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip Primer which is oil-free and so is Dr. Brandt Skincare Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer. For foundations, powder and liquid, there are quite a few to choose from: bareMinerals Original Foundation SPF 15, Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Foundation (powder and liquid both), L’Oréal True Match Super-Blendable Liquid Foundation. Towards the high-end side, there is NARS All Day Luminous Foundation and Becca Cosmetics Ultimate Coverage Foundation. Whereas, for a loose powder to set your base, Coty Airspun Face Powder is a cult-favourite. As for the colour cosmetics, we have the Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer, which is probably one of the best bronzers out there.
Exfoliating helps get rid of dead skin cells and that extra dirt and grime. However, dermatologists are often reminding us not to over-exfoliate and this part of a beauty routine can be overdone during the summer.
Especially if you happen to stay out in the sun for prolonged periods, you can even hold off on the exfoliating bit. Other than that, exfoliate your skin gently once a week.
There are a few exfoliators that you can choose from: Origins Never A Dull Moment Skin-Brightening Face Polisher, Mario Badescu Strawberry Face Scrub, Murad Pore Reform Skin Smoothing Polish.
Moreover, while skincare acids are safe to use in the summer, it is important that we don’t overuse and overexpose our skin to them. The safest skincare ingredients to use during summer are ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and hyaluronic acid.
As for your AHAs, retinols, glycolic acid, it’s best to use them in your night-time routine. You can find the whole range in The Ordinary products.
Finally, there’s nothing quite like a refreshing face mist in the summer time. Packed with skincare benefits, these mists pack a punch when it comes to keeping the skin hydrated and glowing. Plus, we love to keep them in the fridge during the summer months so that they are super cooling and refreshing when applied onto the skin.
Some of our favourite mists include: Pixi’s Hydrating Milky Mist, The Body Shop Rose Dewy Glow Face Mist, Neutrogena Soothing Clear Turmeric Mist, Kiehl's Cactus Flower & Tibetan Ginseng Hydrating Mist and Physicians Formula’s Organic Wear Nutrient Mist Facial Spray.
