Skincare Routine to Keep You Looking Fresh

Skincare Routine to Keep You Looking Fresh

The sun is shining, and you want your skin to shine too — and not because of an excess of sweat. While the summer can add a healthy hit of colour to your complexion, it can also wreak havoc on your skin. Since you’ll probably be showing a lot more skin when the weather gets warmer, you ‘ll probably also want that skin to look as a good as possible.

Here’s how you are going to put your best face forward, every single day of this summer. If you’ve got five minutes, you have time for this five-step routine.

The 5-Step Summer Skincare Routine

Step One: Hydrate

The health of your skin reflects your health on the inside, so keep your skin looking hydrated and healthy by drinking plenty of water. Not tea or coffee or soda or juice or even sparkling water: just plain old, good clean water. When you don’t drink enough water, your skin can appear dry and flaky as well as discoloured and blotchy. Thank the dehydration as well as the buildup of toxins in your system. It’s time to flush them out by drinking up.

How much water?

The amount of water you should drink per day depends on you. The ‘8 glass’ rule is considered reductive and inaccurate. However, if you’re looking for a general guideline, aim for 13 glasses  — more if you are pregnant or nursing or if you sweat a lot (naturally, or through activity).

Step Two: Protect

Repeat after me: I’ll wear sunscreen every day. I’ll wear sunscreen every day.

Sunscreen is non-negotiable in the summer. Exposure to too much sun will not only increase your risk of skin cancer, but it can also prematurely age your skin. Thank UV damage.

If you think you don’t have time to apply it, buy a BB or CC cream with sunscreen built in. The SPF should be at least 15.

Step Three: Cleanse

It doesn’t matter how tired you are at night: make sure you cleanse your face. Use a gentle but powerful cleanser to unclog your pores from the dirt, oil and sweat that’s synonymous with the summer.

If you wear makeup regularly, it’s particularly important to cleanse every evening since wearing makeup to bed can age your skin. Your cells regenerate during the night, and that’s hard to do when they are caked in concealer.

Pro tip: Use a cleanser that’s been designed for your skin type, be it oily skin, dry skin, acne-prone skin or mature skin. This tailored approach to skincare will ensure you’re getting the best results.

Step Four: Exfoliate

Exposure to heat and sun can really do a number on your skin, alternatively making it too dry or too oily. Exfoliation is a great way to slough off dead skin cells, thereby promoting healthy cell regeneration and clearing clogged pores. The result: clearer, brighter and healthier looking skin.

Word to the wise: if you have sensitive skin, opt for a gentler exfoliant. You can even use a toner, which will remove dead skin, without any necessitating any abrasive rubbing.

Step Five: Moisturise!

This may seem like an obvious step, but it is one we often forget. To combat your exposure to the sun, heat, as well as pollutants, you need to moisturise. The best moisturisers come with built-in antioxidants, which combat oxidative stress on your skin  — stress that will expedite the aging process.

Get two moisturisers: one for the day, and one for the night. If you invest in a quality BB or CC cream, you can opt out of your day moisturiser, but you should have one for overnight. As mentioned, cell regeneration happens at night, and night creams are meant to complement this process, working with your skin to maximise the healing.

Also, get a moisturising cream specifically for your eyes. The skin around this area is thinner than skin elsewhere on your face, and it requires a specialised approach to skincare to encourage repair and protection.

It may look like a lot on paper, but when implemented in practice, this routine doesn’t take longer than a few minutes. If you don’t have the right products to put this plan in place, make it easy on yourself and get everything from one reputable source. No more excuses! Get ready to uncover your best summertime accessory: your beautiful, radiant skin!