Summer Skincare Chat – Dry/Sensitive Skin

ff hope you’ve all had a fab week and are looking forward to the weekend. I certainly am and I’m pleased to hit the weather app and see that we’re predicted a little sunshine here in Sheffield. It’s about time. Today I want to chat to you about skincare and share my summer routine as well as letting you know about a few of my favourite products.

My friend recently completed a beauty and nail course and it’s made me begin to start taking things a little more seriously. I’m also enjoying having a friend who’s trained to do my nails and give me tips on how best to care for my skin. I first heard about Ellisons from G, it was during one of our many business planning sessions. I’m familiar with the website now and I know that she’s a fan too. She’ll soon be launching her business so I’ll have to tell her about the cute Ellisons couch roll I spotted along with the new CND Shellac nail colours.

I’ve been taking extra special care of my nails and skin ever since the start of summer. Actually, it maybe have been since I turned 30 but either way, I think it’s important. I wear a lot less make-up during the summer months, especially when I go on holiday or when the weather is really warm in England. I like to focus skincare and simply make use of my favourite mascara, eye-liner and lipstick. If you’re curious I’ve been using Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir, Lancome and Charlotte Tilbury’s lipstick and liner in Pillow Talk.

As I’m sure yours does, my skincare routine changes with the seasons. During the colder months I use lots of very thick creams and oils on my skin but when we roll ’round to summer I opt for little lighter products and weekly exfoliation. I still use oils during the summer months but I’m less likely to use them on my face.

To give you a little context, I have very dry and sensitive skin which is also prone to eczema. Any products I mention I’ve found good with my skin combination but make sure you check ingredients and test them out for yourselves. Luckily, a lot of brands offer sample sizes which is very handy.

Summer Skincare

Here are my 7 summer skincare tips:

Water – This one is pretty obvious and luckily, very easy to get access too. The more water you drink the more you’ll see an improvement in your skin. As with everything, it can be hard to get into a routine of drinking enough each day. However, once you do you’ll see the benefits and quickly ensure it becomes a habit.

I like to use a Water Bobble on the go so I can keep track of how much water I’m drinking and then when I’m at home I’ll always use the same glass and a paper straw (I do my best to avoid plastic straws). I find tracking how much I’m drinking encourages me to drink more each day. Keeping hydrated is essential throughout the year but especially when the weather is a lot warmer.

Exfoliation – I’m very picky when it comes to exfoliation and carefully pick and test the products I use. This is mainly because I have very sensitive skin and can’t use anything too harsh. I adore the Neal’s Yard Rehydrating Rose Facial Polish which I reviewed fully here. It offers a gentle exfoliation and I tend to use it once a week. It’s a natural product and there are not microbeads in it.

I’ve also be using Beauty Kitchen’s Inspire Me Brightening & Toning Body Polish all over my body which is delightfully zingy. I really enjoy using this in the shower and have found that it’s made my skin really smooth. It’s aimed for perfecting stretch marks on legs, arms bums and tums but I won’t be able to report back on that just yet. It’s also a CF product and suitable for vegans. The only thing I’d say is to avoid using this if you have broken or sore skin because it can sting. I’ll be sharing a full review on this next week.

Suncream – It goes without saying that suncream is a summer time essential, even if you live in cloudy England. Protecting your skin from the sunshine is very important, sunburn is never fun. I tend to use a face cream which already contains SPF on a day-to-day basis, something like the Avene Hydrance Optimale UV Light (SPF20). I’ve actually run out of this and have just popped onto the Boots site to stock up and it’s on offer! If it’s particularly sunny then I’ll make sure that I add a layer of suncream on before using foundation.

In terms of using suncream on my body I often just put it on my arms unless other parts of my body are going to be exposed. I use Love Bio which I have repurchased each year over the last 5 years. I really like it but I’m currently testing out a couple of other options with a special focus on suncream for your face. OMG all this talk of suncream is making me want to go on holiday.

The world of suncream is something I’m keen to learn more about now that I’ve turned 30. I probably should have learnt about it well before now but at least I’m doing it now. So, if you know anything about suncream then do let me know. Is it ok to just use a face cream and foundation which contains SPF or should I always use extra?

Face cream – Even though it’s (usually) not as cold during the summer months your skin can still get dry. We’re often walking in and out of air conditioned places, a lack of water and other things can cause this. During the winter I use very thick creams but once we get to the summer months I opt for something a little lighter. I love to try out new face creams and really enjoyed using the Bioderma Hydrabio Crème during the transition months from winter to spring. I’m now currently using Simple’s Replenishing moisturiser and as I mentioned before, I’ve just ordered a tube of Avene Hydrance Optimale UV Light. Alternatively you could use a serum. I do like using them but haven’t repurchased any for a while. I used to use Protect & Perfect by No7 and the Vichy Idealia Life Serum – I adore that stuff and it’s currently on offer in Superdrug.

Lip balm –  I think this is a year round essential. Keeping your lips hydrated and also protected from the sun is easy with a quick swipe of a lip balm. I really like the ones from Kiehl’s which also give you a little lip tint – Butterstick Lip Treatment. Just because I’ve tried a lot of lip balms I’d also like to mention that the Burt’s Bees ones are fab and this one by Blistex is very good for very sore or eczema rashes above your lip.

Foot cream – Ahh magical foot cream. Once again, I use this throughout the year but make a real effort not to forget about it during the summer. I’m more likely to be wearing pretty sandals and having my feet on show so I try to avoid showing off any patches of dry skin. I’ll admit that it is hard to get into the habit of using it each night but if you keep it by your bed it makes it so much easier. I’m currently using this Coconut one from Burt’s Bees which is smells lovely and prevents my feet from getting dry and rough.

Body cream/oil – I’m always surprised when people say they don’t use body cream at all. I find that it makes such a difference for my skin but as with everything, you have to get into a routine of applying it. During the winter I’ll use a body cream in the morning and evening. At the moment I’m just using one really good one in the evening and using a little Bio Oil in the morning. BTW Bio Oil isn’t just for stretch marks (although it did get rid of all of my eczema scars) it’s fab for dry skin too. I always have a shower before bed and use the time after that to apple all of my skincare products. I’m currently testing out some products form KINN Living and their body lotion is lovely and calming. It soaks into my skin quickly which is important during the summer.

Leave a comment below and tell me about your favourite skincare products for the summer. 

Thanks to Ellisons for collaborating with me on this post.