Whether you’re a skincare lover or not, we all have those go-to products that we swear by, but with the Summer season impending, it might be time to give your skincare cupboard a little refresh.

Having previously worked on the editorial desk at a beauty magazine, I’ve tried my fair share of products over the years. I’ve written articles on the best products and what regime you should be following, but that doesn’t mean I always practice what I preach... It wasn’t until watching the skincare goddess that is Caroline Hirons on a recent stint on This Morning that I invested in some face flannels and honestly, at 35p a pop, they’ve changed my life!

With Summer comes thick layers of sun cream, holiday makeup and – if Britain plays its weather cards right – hours of exposure to the sunshine, so it’s important to find products that will look after your skin and keep you looking your best. Here are some of my favourites.



CLEANSERS

As the summer heat increases blood flow and sweat, it makes our pores much more seceptible to clogging, so double cleansing really gives you that clean slate to begin prepping with your other skincare. So for my first cleanse, I’ve been using Garnier's SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water which is great for removing anything that may have built-up in my pores overnight or throughout the day - Micellar water's are always great at removing makeup too.

For my second cleanse, I’ve been applying two pumps of Elemis' White Brightening Even Tone Cleanser and massaging into my skin for 60 seconds, before wiping away with a flannel. I like to use cold water in the morning as I find it’s a really great way to wake me up.

SERUMS & MASKS

I've tried to up my skincare game recently and I'm really starting to notice the difference. I've added a few new products into my routine, including an exfoliator, a serum and a mask.

The exfoliating mask I've been using is the One-Minute Exfoliating Mask from Repechage. It gives a real deep cleanse without drying out the skin. After using this product, my skin looks so much brighter and feels incredible - the scent is a gorgeous seaweed, lemongrass and cucumber blend too which feels so gorgeous and natural on my skin.

The Mila Simone Azzura Essence [*gifted] is a Vitamin C Serum + Hyaluronic Acid. It's a light weight, oil-free formula that targets dull and dehydrated skin - perfect as we enter into the warmer season - which gives you a great glow and plumps the surface of the skin. I've been applying a few drops over my freshly cleansed face morning and night, and I'm really noticing the difference.

I've also been using a mask once a week on my dedicated pamper nights - an oldie, but always a goodie - the Aura Manuka Honey Mask from Antipodes**. This is a real holy grail product for me and it always makes my skin feel incredible. I've been quite lucky in my adult age that I don't really get many spots, but if one does rear its ugly head, I pop a little bit of this mask on before bed and by morning it's either vanished or looking considerably less aggressive.

For my under eyes, I've been using any gel masks I can get my hands on. You'll find these in high street stores like Boots or Superdrug - or if you want more high end then the Elemis Pro Collagen Hydra-Gel eye masks are wonderful, albeit pricey.




MOISTURISERS

Whilst it’s important to wear SPF every day, it’s even more important in Summer to protect your skin from those UVA & UVB rays, so I’ve been loving the Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream with SPF 30. Heavy duty moisturises can often feel too thick and sticky in hot weather, but this stuff glides on like a dream. It has a gel-like consistency and is packed with antioxidants. Your skin will drink it up, I promise. I like to apply this, then brush my teeth and do my hair before applying makeup, so it's got some time to really sink into my skin.

Something people often to forget to incorporate into their skincare routine is an anti-pollution product to protect your skin from harsh toxins in the air. This is particularly important if you live in a city, or you’ve got plans to travel this summer. Elemis’ Daily Defence Shield acts as a barrier between air pollution and your skin, and it contains SPF 30 to protect from UV rays too – an all round holy grail product, really.


BODY

Our skin is the body’s biggest organ – we need to look after it. I’ve been so guilty of neglecting a body skincare routine but as I’m nearing my 30’s (gulp), it’s something that’s become quite high up on my agenda. For the winter months, I’ve been hidden behind thick tights and thermals, and I feel like my skin hasn’t seen the light of day, so I’ve been using Dove’s Gradual Tanner to give myself a much needed glow. I use this every other day, and on those in-between days, I use Elemis' Sweet Orchid Body Cream. Remember in Summer, you’re shaving a lot more, and exposing parts of your body to the elements that might usually be tucked away under clothing, so make sure you’re treating your body with the same care as your face, and invest in a good body moisturiser.

If you’re planning on spending a lot of time in the sunshine – I know I am! - then make sure you’re fully stocked on sun cream and after sun too. I can’t recommend Decleor’s Aroma Sun Expert Protective Hydrating Milk enough – the first time I used this was on our honeymoon in the Maldives, so every time I catch a whiff, it’s like I’m back on that sun lounger by tropical blue seas.



OTHER TIPS

It goes without saying, but there’s a reason why all of those health guru’s tell you to DRINK WATER. You need it. And your skin, body and overall mood will thank you for it. Back in January when life was all about those new years resolutions, I bought myself a litre water bottle that has timings on the side. It sits on my desk at work, and I fill it up at least twice a day so I can make sure I’m definitely getting my 2 litres in.

One thing that people don’t tell you, is that your skin will probably become worse before it gets better. Especially if you’re not used to drinking so much water. It’s all of the toxins being flushed out of your system – don’t be alarmed if you start to break out, just perservere and you’ll feel incredible within a few weeks, including a surge in your energy levels.



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*I was kindly gifted the Mila Simone Assura Essence for this blog post. I have been using the product for just over month and 100% recommend it. For complete transparency, I will only write about products that have been gifted if I truly believe they are worth being recommended.


**I have previously worked with Antipodes on a collaboration, however I purchased this product with my own money and am under no obligation to promote the brand or its products.

*** SKINCARE NOTE: My skin doesn’t fit into a particular category consistently, but it is mostly oily/combination, with dryness in Winter ***