Light summer layers: how to build a seasonal skincare routine
Five lightweight layers we’re turning to this season for refreshed and radiant looking skin.
There’s something about summer that makes us long for simpler skincare. While winter regimes call for intense nourishment for weather-weary skin, holidays and heatwaves simply do not lend themselves to rich, heavy moisturisers and masks. Refreshing your summer skincare routine means turning to soothing serums, cooling mists, and of course, SPF.
Read on for the formulas we’re favouring this season, and what order to apply them, for radiant looking summer skin in five simple steps. All featherlight, ideal for layering and – because it’s us – made with organic and responsibly sourced ingredients…
Step 1: Vitamin C
After thorough cleansing, start your morning with a brightening dose of vitamin C. No matter your skin type or tone, vitamin C’s rich antioxidant content makes an ideal addition to your summer skincare routine, helping to brighten and protect skin against environmental stressors.
Our Vitamin C Brightening Booster features a bespoke radiance complex made with nature’s most potent source of vitamin C, Kakadu plum.
The addition of hyaluronic acid brings added hydration and helps to lock in moisture for soft, supple skin.
Step 2: Spritz
A spritz or two of a moisturising mist is a welcome refresher at any time of day, but adding this extra hit of hydration at this stage of your skincare routine will prime your skin for the rest of your skincare products – without leaving any residual heaviness on the skin’s surface.
Our Frankincense Hydrating Mist, as its name suggests, is formulated with cooling aloe vera for ultra-hydrated and refreshed skin, while our Reviving White Tea Facial Mist, with soothing aloe vera and antioxidant-rich white tea goes that extra mile to protect against pollutants.
Step 3: Serum
Our skin naturally produces more oil in hot and humid conditions.
Serums are great for summer skin as they hydrate and address issues including fine lines, laxity, texture, dullness and more without clogging pores, helping to balance excess oil and sebum production that can stem from high temperatures.
With your skin damp from the mist, your serum of choice will sink right in. We’d recommend our Frankincense Intense™ Age-Defying or Lift Serums to address signs of ageing, Wild Rose Beauty Serum for a natural radiance boost and Sensitive Restore & Smooth Serum for reactive skin.
Step 4: Moisturiser
Those with oily or combination skin may choose to skip this step altogether, we recommend opting for an everyday matte moisturiser like our Yarrow & Comfrey or Purifying Palmarosa Daily Moisture.
Those with normal, dry or sensitive skin will still benefit from some extra hydration even in the warmer weather.
We recommend pairing our Frankincense Intense™ Age-Defying or Lift Serums with their equally high-performing respective moisturisers: Frankincense Intense™ Age-Defying Cream or Lift Cream.
If you’re looking for an extra radiance boost as well as hydration, try our lightweight Wild Rose Day Glow Cream.
Step 5: SPF
By now you’ll know that SPF is a non-negotiable step for your skincare routine – for summer or otherwise. Make sure you massage your favourite SPF formula into the face and neck 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapply throughout the day.
Our own Wild Rose Moisturising SPF 30 marries the protective qualities of non-nano physical UV filters with antioxidant-rich, organic wild rosehip seed oil, nourishing shea butter and a balancing blend of organic geranium and patchouli essential oils to keep skin beautifully soft throughout the day.
Want more summer skincare advice? Try a complimentary Facial Experience at your nearest Neal’s Yard Remedies store with one of our consultants and discover the right formulas for your skin’s unique needs.
