Skincare

Summer skincare

Summer’s long, warm days encourage us to spend time doing activities specific to the season and as a result, we often curtail some of our regular routines, like skincare.  You’re probably wearing less make-up than normal, which may mean you spend less time cleansing and treating your skin each day.  In an attempt to maximise your outdoor fun, here are some summer skincare practices I like to employ to keep my skin looking good throughout the season.

SPF Q&A to prepare you for the summer sun

Although I have lived in the UK for over 14 years, I still think of the last weekend in May as the unofficial start to summer, thanks to years of celebrating Memorial Day in the US.  And after a week of glorious weather in London, summer does seem to have come early here this year.  Which makes it a great time to talk about sunscreen.  Yes, again!

A secret weapon for your skincare arsenal

Have you had one of those “uh-oh” skin moments?  Where your reflection in the mirror isn’t quite what you hoped it would be.  Perhaps your skin looks dull, you see a spot getting ready to erupt or a new line appearing.  If you’re wondering what to do, I have a suggestion for you: add acid to your skincare routine.

You can fit it all in your liquids bag

With our first spring bank holiday arriving tomorrow, now begins the time for getaways and summer holidays.  Always a welcome relieve after a long winter!

While I love travelling, I don’t love packing and one of my biggest challenges is getting my make-up and skincare to fit in a suitcase, leaving enough room for clothes and whatever else I need. 

What's the fuss with Korean skincare?

Magazines and the internet abound with information about skincare innovations courtesy of Korea.  A big focus has been on the 10-step (or more!) routine that many women there follow on a daily basis.

When do I apply? How much do I apply? Do I have to wait?

With so many skincare treasures to use on our faces, I am often asked about the order in which to apply products, the amount to use and whether waiting between steps is necessary.  I thought it might be helpful to collate the information, so you have an easy reference point.

Hydrate your skin while you sleep

In the winter months, we often find out skin can become dehydrated easily thanks to chilly temperatures and dry air.  While a winter skincare routine is essential, sometimes we need an additional boost.  For this challenge, I like to apply a sleeping mask (or sleep pack as it’s called in Korean skincare).

Do you: apply facial essence?

We’ve made it through Blue Monday (hurrah!) and while the days really are getting longer (sunset isn’t till 4:27 pm today), chilly temperatures let us know we’re still in deepest, darkest winter. 
 
With all the time we’re spending indoors right now, I find this season to be perfect for supersizing my skincare routine.  While I still advocate a basic skincare practice, shortened daylight hours inspire me to apply face masks more regularly and spend extra time on facial massage.  I’m also loving the addition of a new product to my routine: facial essence.