It always seems that just when you have gotten your skincare regime down pat and your sensitive skin concerns somewhat under control… the weather changes. And just as you would not wear a thick heavy winter coat down to the beach on a 35° C day, your “skincare wardrobe” needs some adjusting to transition into the summer season. Especially if you suffer from skin concerns like eczema, dermatitis, acne, and rosacea.
If you are already prone to sensitive skin no matter the season, summer is definitely a time where you need to take extra precaution.
During summer we are faced with an onslaught of environmental changes and challenges that can affect our complexions like humidity, heat, UV rays, air conditioning, salt, sand, and chlorine. These changes affect everyone differently depending on your skin type or what skin concern you have.
If you suffer from acne, for example, you may experience worsening breakouts. If you flush easily or are prone to redness these can also increase and become more frequent.
During the hotter months, your best bet is to strip back your products and take a simple approach to skincare. Focusing on three things: hydration, sun protection and skin barrier repair.
Here Kiri runs through her tips, tricks, and mistakes to avoid during the summer season to help guide you to achieve healthy glowing skin and keep your flare-ups under control.
Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate
Hydration is obviously key.
The summer elements are extremely drying and dehydrating so you need to be nourishing your skin with hydrating products topically as well as focusing on internal hydration.
For topical hydration look for lightweight non-comedogenic moisturisers and serums that are filled with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and emollients that absorb quickly into the skin and promote juicy hydration.
If you have drier skin, you may prefer using a thicker moisturiser throughout the year but switching over to a more lightweight product during summer is important so your skin can breathe a bit more through the warmer elements and there is less risk of clogging pores.
Kiri believes skincare starts from the inside so focus on upping your water intake especially during summer to replenish your organs and hydrate from within. If you struggle drinking plain water, try adding some natural flavour like sliced cucumber, lemon, or berries to your jug for some extra nutrients.
Tip: Try misting your face throughout the day with our Probiotic SOS Daily Facial Spray.
This light spray formula contains silverion which has antibacterial properties, lactic acid, rice bran extract & colloidal oatmeal which helps calm & soothe the skin.
This spray is suitable for all skin types and is especially beneficial for people who suffer from rosacea and acne.
Do not Overcomplicate Cleansing
Cleansing should be a very simple process but too many “trends” and “skin-fluencers” have over complicated this step.
Do I need to double cleanse?
Do I use an oil cleanser?
Do I need to cleanse in the morning?
Do I use a cream cleanser?
Just. Keep. It. Simple. (And gentle)
A cleanser should gently clean away dirt and impurities without stripping your skin of its natural protective oils.
Tip: If you have flared or sensitive skin, I would skip using a cleanser in the morning & wash your face with cool water only. AMPERNA® Reusable Cleansing Pads are a great tool to use with or without a cleansing product.
Even if your skin type is normal, I would only recommend cleansing in the morning if you have used a retinol or a chemical exfoliant the night before.
However, cleansing at night is essential. You should never let your head hit the pillow until you have cleansed your face removing the days impurities, makeup, and SPF.
Second tip: Replenish and refresh your face throughout the day.
Hitting the beach, swimming at your local pool, having a sweat session at the gym? Make sure you cleanse and re-hydrate your skin, removing the build-up of sand, salt, sweat, SPF, chlorine… all those summer fun-filled elements that can cause havoc for your skin if left ignored.
AMPERNA® Cleanser and Moisture Travel kits are great to have on hand in your bag while you are out and about or on summer holidays.
Stay Sun Savvy
Did you know there is no such thing as a “healthy tan?”
Melanin is a pigment found in skin cells that is produced when UV rays hit the skin. The more melanin produced, the darker the tan. However, the more melanin produced means sun damaged skin cells which significantly increases the risk of skin cancer.
It is a fact.
Too much sun can damage your skin’s moisture barrier, leading to dryness and premature signs of ageing. It is important to wear sunscreen every day - regardless of the season. But summertime is where sunscreen is crucial in order to avoid those nasty sunburns.
Remember, sunburnt skin is skin in trauma.
For sensitive skin, we recommend using a sunscreen that is lightweight and free of oils and other harsh ingredients that might further irritate the skin instead of helping it.
AMPERNA® Pro+ Bio Soothing Day Mineral CC SPF15 lotion contains zinc oxide, vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid to help nourish the skin and protect it from free radical damage.
Ensure you are applying your SPF at the right time in your skincare routine. Being a physical sunscreen, this needs to be the last thing you put on your face.
Reapplying your sunscreen throughout the day is also a must. Set a timer on your phone to remind you to reapply. If you are having a day out by the pool or at the beach your SPF should be re-applied once your skin has been refreshed and dried.
Tip: Avoid Peak Sun Hours
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the sun is most intense between the hours of 11am to 4pm. If you cannot avoid these times and you are outside during those hours, position yourself in shade and wear sun protective clothing.
Exfoliate with Caution
I would drop your physical exfoliants asap and use our chemical exfoliant at once. Save the harsh scrubs for the rough areas on your feet but treat the skin on your face with gentle caution.
Hydroxy-acids like glycolic acid and lactic acid, as well as retinol are amazing ingredients for the skin, but you have to be cautious using them on sensitive skin during the summer. Only use these ingredients and products sparingly at night, once or twice a week and never in the morning.
While exfoliating is the key to healthy, smooth, and glowing skin, you should only exfoliate at night. The layer of dead skin cells acts as an extra protection from UV rays. AHAs, BHAs and retinols can all make your skin even more sensitive and susceptible to sunburns and sunspots.
If you suffer from acne however you might need more exfoliation during the summer months. BHA like salicylic acid will keep sebum production under control as well as promoting new, healthy skin cells.
Ease up on Wearing Make up
Let your natural skin breath and keep your makeup to a minimum for a radiant, natural look. Summer is not the time to wear thick layers of extra product especially if you are sweating in the sun.
Sweating opens your pores, making them more vulnerable to debris and oil build up. Wearing makeup while sweating is a major cause of breakouts for acne-prone skin.
Keep make up for special occasions only and feel free wearing your bare beautiful skin.
Enjoy Tik Tok with a pinch of salt
We love TikTok here at the AMPERNA® office but the message we would like everyone to take away is to not really pay attention to a lot of skincare trends you see on there.
Effective skincare is not a “trend”.
It is important for you to find a suitable and sustainable skincare routine that works for and targets your skin concerns. Rather than trying out all of these skincare trends that may not be right for you and throw you off your skin journey progress.
Trialling, chopping, and changing your routine and products all the time will not work in your favour.
Remember, skincare across all seasons, but in particular for summer should focus on 3 main things: hydration, sun protection and skin barrier. And the entire AMPERNA® skincare range has you covered for that.
The probiotic complex infused within AMPERNA® probiotic creams help support the skin barrier, helping to protect you from aggressors such as environmental pollutants, keep your immune system in check and reduce inflammation.
AMPERNA® products deliver good bacteria to your skin gently and effectively. Our ingredients help promote the appearance of fresh skin, help prevent the signs of premature ageing, and help the skin to adapt to negative influences. In short, AMPERNA® products create the perfect conditions for your skin to shine.
Instead of feeling completely overwhelmed but what you are absorbing on social media just keep your skincare routine simple and consistent.
The fewer products used on your skin during summer, the better.
