Your skin’s needs change throughout the year, and, while you don’t need a completely new skin care routine come summer, a few small changes can make a big difference, as you will have more UV rays to contend with as you soak up the sun, skin-drying chlorine, and the summer heat, which can all trigger excessive oil production, leading to blackheads and blemishes.
We’ve put together a simple skincare guide to help you prepare your skin for summer, care for your skin while on holiday, and restore optimal skin health when you return home.
Read on for our top tips to stop the sun’s glow from dulling yours, from the essentials we live by to the subtle tweaks you can make to nurture your skin this summer and beyond.
As a minimum, we recommend stocking your suitcase with the following holiday skincare essentials:
- A cleanser that you can use morning and night to clear away anything that could clog your pores.
- Toner pads to wipe across your face after cleansing and catch any lingering products that may remain.
- A gentle exfoliating scrub to help remove dead skin cells at the end of every day.
- A light-weight serum or a subtle hydrator to support your skin’s moisture retention.
- A scientifically-proven SPF that is suitable for your face and body.
If you’re unsure of what skincare to take with you on holiday, then this is a good list to get you started. Combined, these products will help cleanse, hydrate ]and protect against the usual suspects: sunshine, chlorine and sweat.
PREP YOUR SKIN FOR SUMMER
It can be so easy to let your habits slip on holiday. But it’s much easier to stay on track if you have a firmly established routine, and the same applies to your skin care.
In the weeks leading up to your holiday, be consistent with products that work for you and leave your skin feeling and looking brighter. It’ll soon become a ritual, and one that you’ll look forward to at the start/end of each day. Hopefully, you’ll feel so replenished afterwards that you won’t be tempted to skip steps, even if you’ve had a no-makeup beach day or are feeling particularly sleepy after an afternoon in the sun.
Exfoliating regularly removes dead skin cell build-up that causes irritation and blemishes, so it’s a great habit to develop. But remember to be extra gentle when scrubbing sensitive areas like around the eyes and mouth, and don’t exfoliate sunburnt skin (ouch!).
Exfoliating every other day (twice a week if you’re more sensitive) is perfect for holiday preparation. You’ll be left with supple skin that’s hydrated, anti-oxidised and vitamin-rich before being exposed to the sun.
We recommend face scrubs such as ZO Skin Health’s Exfoliating Polish and their powerful Complexion Renewal Pads, which are bursting with ingredients that aid the replenishment of skin cells. They’re also easy to use and easy to pack in your suitcase.
OUR HOLIDAY SKIN CARE TIPS
Don’t let all that prep work go to waste. Make sure you continue to look after your skin throughout your holiday. The best way to do that? Don’t skip the SPF! Instead, invest in professional sun protection such as ZO’s Daily Sheer Broad Spectrum, HydroPeptide Tinted Solar Defense, Heliocare 360° Oil Free Gel or Obagi Matte Sun Shield, which are all available to buy from our Sheffield-based skin clinic. For more SPF advice, take a look at our guide to choosing and applying the best sun protection products.
Cleansing your skin is always an important step, particularly when you’re on holiday. You’re likely to have residue from sun cream, chlorine and sweat on your face after a day at the beach or by the pool, so removing this before you sleep is key.
If you apply after-sun lotion throughout the night, you will also want to free your skin from this first thing in the morning with the help of a gentle cleanser like ZO’s Balancing Cleansing Emulsion.
Alongside carefully formulated summer skin care products, staying hydrated will keep your skin glowing from the inside out. This is a simple tip for looking radiant around the clock, but it’s so often overlooked. Make sure to stay hydrated throughout the day to prevent your skin from becoming dull and tired, and you could also consider packing a product like ZO’s Hyrdo Mist, or Hydrating Crème, which we stock in travel size and has an exclusive antioxidant complex of encapsulated Vitamins A, C, and E.
- REAPPLY SPF: We’ve mentioned that you should apply SPF every day, but it’s particularly important to rinse and repeat when your skin has been exposed to strong UV. It’s likely to be sensitive after sun exposure, so keep topping up your SPF to protect it against further environmental damage as it repairs.
- SUNBATHE IN MODERATION: Overexposure to the sun can speed up the decline of collagen, which is the protein that’s responsible for keeping your skin feeling full of life. It’s a good idea to introduce a product that promotes protection and hydration, such as ZO’s Brightalive, which makes a great addition to any summer holiday skin care routine. Simply work two pumps into your face and neck in the morning and evening to enjoy its luminescent effects and help combat sun damage.
- EXFOLIATE: Continuing to exfoliate will help to remove dead cells and keep your skin lovely and soft. But be careful. The last thing you want is to irritate sunburnt skin, insect bites, or sensitive areas such as shaving bumps. Once you’ve exfoliated gently, make sure to lather up with a lightweight, fast-absorbing hydrator.
POST-HOLIDAY SKIN CARE
You will undoubtedly spot the effects of going on holiday, even if you follow your usual skin care routine. The combination of travelling, broken sleep and exposing yourself to new environments can visibly deplete your complexion.
Our Hydrafacial treatment is designed to deeply nourish the skin by infusing a blend of specialist serums to replenish moisture and restore a healthy balance for a plumper, supple, more youthful post-summer glow.
Whether you’re dealing with breakouts, hyperpigmentation, dehydration lines, or dullness, our treatments can be adjusted accordingly, and supplementary treatments like LED light therapy can be added on.
Before any skin treatment, a consultation is essential. This dedicated time allows for an in-depth conversation around your desired results, an assessment of your skin, and a tailored recommendation of the most suitable method for your skin type and lifestyle.
A skin scan is carried out to ensure we deeply analyse your complexion, and everything from maintenance to aftercare is discussed in detail. It’s a considered, personalised approach that ensures results are not only beautiful, but lasting.
We take a fully refundable deposit of £50 for all our consultations. Your deposit can be refunded in the clinic or redeemed against our treatments/products purchased after the consultation.
