The Best Products for Summer
By: Vee Mistry
It’s that time of year when we start seeing the ray of hope of longer days filled with light and warmer temperatures. I love this change in season; everyone’s positive energy becomes infectious!
That being said, I often get asked about transitioning clients’ skincare to fit the weather, stocking lighter moisturizers, stronger SPF and focusing on serums that will help keep skin glowing all Spring/Summer long. While it is right to begin changing your skincare to fit the new season, there is a correct way to do it, as swapping out products too fast with fluctuating temperatures can work against you. Let me introduce you to the professional guide to Summer skincare!
Let’s talk cleansing first- a buttery oily cleanser in the AM and PM is still your best friend. Oil attracts oil, and cleansing the skin with this emulsion will respect your acid mantle barrier. If you feel you need to exfoliate, then try some oil/balm cleansers that contain enzyme properties like the Elemis Superfood AHA Glow Cleansing Butter with just enough sloughing to keep you glowing while retaining hydration levels so your skin doesn’t feel stripped.
On the topic of hydration, if you don’t have enough time to layer your Serums reach for an Essence. Think Korean skincare. A vital product in most Korean skincare lines is an Essence, and with good reason! An Essence is your shortcut to getting the skin plump, juicy, pillowy and dewy, as it acts as a tall glass of water for your skin. Use this product post-cleansing; massage a few drops of essence over the face and neck. My favorite is the Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Moisture Essence, packed with Hyaluronic acid and Red algae from the Mediterranean Sea; this powerful water will become your staple.
Now that we’ve covered your primary steps, this brings us to your treatment products which are masks! Masks are unique as they offer intense delivery of active ingredients to repair, balance or treat certain skin conditions. While your typical mask may be used as an 8-25 minute treatment that you remove, my professional tip is to opt for a sleep mask! These are creamy, luxurious masks you can layer over your entire nighttime routine and wear to sleep; waking up to juicy glowing skin is guaranteed. Including a sleep mask with the changes in seasons can treat your skin overnight, preventing your skin barrier from becoming inflamed or feeling sensitive.
Here are two of my favorites- If I have been out in the sun a little more than usual and my skin appears dull and lifeless, I reach for my Augustinus Bader Face Cream Mask. Packed with TFC8, a patented blend of amino acids and Swiss Grape, Polysaccharides complex and Ginseng extract, all help in repair and hydration that works to unveil brighter, pillowy, and smoother skin.
If my skin looks uneven in tone and I have pigmentation, I quickly reach for the Dermaquest C infusion TX Mask. This product can increase your skin’s natural Hyaluronic acid production resulting in the plumping of lines and wrinkles, while stable Vit C helps lighten and brighten pigmentation.
Next let’s talk about moisturizers, yes even in the warmer temperatures you must use a moisturizer as it creates an occlusive envelope on the skin to prevent TEWL- trans epidermal water loss meaning if not hydrated the skin can lose water creating dehydration which affects skin texture . Now the good news is you can reach for some great light weight creams that don’t feel heavy at all allowing your skin to feel like it can breathe My personal favorite is the Circcell ABO face serum; don’t be thrown off by the word serum…. this is a beautiful medium texture gel that hydrates, oxygenates and keeps skin enveloped.
Lastly but never least SPF, let’s bust a few myths. Yes every skin tone needs an SPF, Yes you need an SPF 365 days a year and yes you will still get a beautiful tan with SPF – you just won’t burn. SPF comes in two forms: Mineral, which reflects the UVA/UVB rays and Chemical, which absorbs the rays and then scatters it through the skin to protect. Rule of thumb is use your SPF daily as your last step and under makeup and reapply every two hours if exposed to the sun for prolonged hours.
So there you have it; change your skincare gradually by adding one or several of these steps, and soon enough, your skin will spring into the season with balanced, optimized conditions!
Vee Mistry is the founder and owner of SKINBYVEE and is a certified Aesthetician and Facialist with over 25 years of experience in the industry. SKINBYVEE.com
