In the warmer, longer, lazier days of summer, we whip out the BBQs, dig out that swimwear and jet off on holiday for some well-deserved chill time on the beach. But for many of us, summer has also brought with it temptations of excessive sun exposure and other health woes. Lucky you - I've put together my top 12 secret tips for staying happy, healthy and beauty-wise during summer – keep these on your radar and get the most out of this summer season!
1. Cool Off With A Mist
Place a bottle of face mist in your cooler so you can mist your face and body when you're at the beach. Mist of Roses is packed with antioxidants and nutrients that will soothe and hydrate your skin on top of cooling you down.
2. Take a Cool Shower
Hot showers after sun exposure further dry skin. Turn down the temperature and you’ll pick up a few added benefits. A cool shower after excess sweating helps to keep skin clear, decreasing acne breakouts.
3. Wear a Wide-Brim Hat
A baseball cap won't protect your face from the sun coming at an angle. Opt for a hat with a brim for full protection. Long hair does offer some shade from the sun, but the sensitive skin along your hairline can still get burned. So, protect your scalp from the sun too!
4. Get Rid of Dry Skin
One of the most effective ways to exfoliate during the summer is to use a scrub on dry skin before you shower. Pay special attention to knees and elbows. And finish with a rich body cream or oil within three minutes of towelling off. Nothing beats a natural homemade body scrub. Here's a gorgeous DIY recipe using firming caffeine, nourishing sesame oil, cooling spearmint and purifying lemongrass.
Makes 1 1/2 cups, enough for three treatments
1/2 cup sea salt
1/2 cup finely ground coffee
1/4 cup sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon (about 10 drops of each) lemongrass and spearmint essential oil
In a small bowl, mix the salt, coffee, sesame oil and both essential oils. Use the scrub in the shower, massaging it into damp skin with long, firm, semicircular movements. Take your time in order to activate the ingredients. Rinse well.
5. Load Up on Melon
Cantaloupe is the melon of choice for beautiful summer skin, according to dermatologists. “The sweet fruit is rich in antioxidants and delivers a unique hydration to the skin, resulting in a radiant complexion. I personally prefer watermelon in the summer months because it can actually boost your SPF by several factors and it is delicious!
6. Treat Your Legs
Revitalise your legs with this invigorating and toning DIY recipe that soothes and minimises water-retention (swelling) and tired legs bringing back a sense of lightness
10 ml Almond oil
10 ml Hazelnut oil
10 ml Sesame oil
10 drops rosemary essential oil
5 drops cypress essential oil
10 drops lemon essential oil
5 drops spearmint essential oil
3 drops of nutmeg essential oil (optional if you can't find it)
5 drops sweet orange essential oil
Apply it evenly to the legs and feet massaging towards the heart. Repeat as needed. Allow to absorb before dressing. Wait 30 minutes before putting on compression stockings if needed.
7. Treat your Skin from Sun Spots and Go Easy with your Eyes
Melasma — a common skin discoloration consisting of dark spots, which can develop on the forehead, cheeks, and upper lip — is a summertime skin risk. Using a good SPF 30+ factor on your sunscreen is as essential as covering well your head with a wide-brim hat.
The skin around the eyes is thinner and shows signs of ageing more quickly than other areas of the face.
It’s also more delicate and vulnerable due to thin skin and prone to allergic reactions.
The area under the eyes may be prone to puffiness and the eye area doesn’t contain oil glands to keep the skin moist like the rest of your facial skin.
So yes, a nice specialised eye treatment is highly recommended, with ingredients to protect against the environment, to nourish, nurture, soothe and refresh. Apply a cooling masks from time to time, place Aqua Serum Elixir in the fridge and apply it in the area and always wear your sunnies to protect from UV.
Antioxidants are key during summer season, and there are tons of ways to work them into your routine. Our new supercharged Aqua Serum Elixir is packed with anti-oxidants as well as Whipped Cream. Read more here about the science behind the Australian Native extracts we have included in our serum.
8. Don't Forget Your Lips
Yes, your lips need sunscreen, too. Since the sun can be extremely drying, keep them soft and smooth by using a rich lip balm with SPF 15 or higher. Don't forget to reapply it when you're outside.
9. Don't Itch Bug Bites
Bug bites can itch and linger for weeks after they become inflamed. If you happen to get stuck with a sting …. Blend 2 tbsp of jojoba oil with 3 drops of lavender essential oil , 3 drops of tea tree essential oil, 3 drops of chamomile essential oil and 3 drops of orange essential oil and apply it for a soothing effect.
10. Feed Your Face
The best tool for an even summer skin tone is probably already in your fridge. Cut a large strawberry in half, take a fork and smash it until the flesh awaken the juices, then swipe it across your face in small circles. Leave it on for about two minutes, then rinse it off. This will brighten sun and age spots over time.
Find more masks in our latest blog post 'Sparkle with 9 lavish face masks'
11. Bounce Back from a Sunburn
Did you get a sunburn? The lactic acid found in greek yogurt has soothing and calming benefits. Use it as a mask by leaving it on for 30 minutes before taking a cool shower and patting your skin dry. In addition to this treatment, apply organic aloe vera gel to your skin three to four times a day to help burns heal more quickly.
12. Eat Your SPF (Really!)
There's some evidence that oral intake of vitamins C and E together can limit potential for sunburn. Yep, you hear well! A salad with vitamin C-rich citrus, berries, tomato, and vitamin E-rich nuts is an ideal SPF meal. Read more about it in our latest blog posts 'Summer food for radiant skin ' and 'Which is your right skin food'
This summer keep glowing naturally,
Sonia x
#mydailyrituals #selfcare #nontoxicbeauty #healthybeauty #cleanbeauty #biocosmetics #beautyinstyle #skinfood #australianbeauty #veganbeauty #naturalbeauty #facecare #summer #aromatherapy #alchemic