The summer is when we spend more time outside and therefore we need to be spend extra attention to our skincare routine. We often show more skin and are automatically exposed to more sunlight. I love this time of year! I thrive in warm climates as I can step outside in the morning in a summer dress and sandals, leaving my jacket at home to go to the beach and let the sun kiss my skin. Summer is also the season in which I am the most careful with my skin and when I focus more on my skincare routine.Let me tell you all about the products that I use and how I like to protect my skin from premature aging by sharing my summer skincare routine.
Morning skincare routine in summer Before I start up my summer skincare routine, I first make sure to do my daily work out. Most days I wake up between 5.00 AM and 6.00 AM, and do some strength training for 30 to 45 minutes. After my workout, I head straight for the shower to wash myself and to do my skincare routine.
First step in summer skincare routine; La Vitamine C Powder and Le Youth Sérum I never cleanse my face in the morning, as I don’t feel my skin needs it. I have dry to normal skin, so I don’t want to strip my face unnecessarily of any natural and nourishing sebum and good microbes. The first step is La Vitamine C Powder in combination with Le Youth Sérum: especially in summer this step can’t be missed. The reason why I use La Vitamine C Powder in the morning is because it offers extra protection against UV damage and it minimizes the appearance of hyperpigmentation: this is especially useful during the summer months when we need the extra sun protection and when pigmentation (solar lentigines) is formed.
Collagen boost and skin barrier repair as part of your summer skincare routine
The powder consists of only two ingredients; the powerful antioxidant ferulic acid and pure vitamin C, which is the same as ascorbic acid. I source my ascorbic acid from England. It is an ultra-fine powder that effectively boosts collagen production and helps to repair the skin barrier. I’ve been using La Vitamine C Powder for 4 years now, and I can’t go a day without it. This product is the one I thank for when looking at the amazing condition that my skin is in at age 38 (turning 39 this month!).
Le Youth Sérum as nourishing moisturizer As said, I use the powder in combination with Le Youth Sérum. I formulated this serum especially for aging, maturing, and sensitive skin. As I prefer vegan skincare, this incredible serum is plant-based and contains unique algae and plant extracts that nourish, moisturize, and soften the skin. The vitamin E protects the skin from premature aging and the pure and organic vanilla leaves my skin smelling divine. It also leaves a beautiful glow which gives the skin a youthful look: exactly what we like our skin to look like in summer!
Skincare routine must: SPF and sun protection When I’m planning to go outside, I use sunscreen of at least SPF 30. (Read my recent blog on sun protection, SPF and premature skin a here!) I use Suncover SPF 30 from Dr. Jetske Ultee. What I appreciate about this sunscreen is that it is not too greasy and it doesn’t irritate my eyes and skin. The SPF filters are not considered natural, but they are the safest synthetic ones out there. I’m still continuing my quest to find the perfect natural sunscreen, but I still haven’t found an all natural sun protection solution that suits my needs. Until then, I’m satisfied with this one, which I use for my face and body. It also works great as a primer for and under your makeup.
Important step in summer skincare routine: reapply SPF throughout the day
When I’m out in the sun, I reapply my sunscreen every couple of hours. That means that I make sure to always have sunscreen in my bag. It’s important to reapply when exposed to sunlight, especially when it’s warm and we are perspiring and sweaty, and maybe even having a splash of water in our faces - and thus wiping away the sunscreen - every once in a while.
Finishing skincare touches
In summer especially, my legs can be quite dry from time to time. When they do, I put on some Le Youth Sérum to nourish and moisturize them and to give them a gorgeous glow. To finish off my skincare routine, I end by applying my moisturizing and hydrating lip balm. I’m planning to launch this lip balm next year!
My evening summer skincare routine starts with cleansing This is by far the favorite moment in my summer skincare routine; cleansing the face of all the SPF, makeup, and dirt. I live for this moment. It equals getting my bra off after a long day. To cleanse my face, I use La Crème Cleanser. This is the only cleanser I use as I don’t need to double cleanse. It is so effective that it cleanses the face in just one go. It also leaves my skin feeling deeply hydrated and gently exfoliates the skin with enzymes from papaya and pineapple. It is suited for all skin types, and I formulated it with sensitive skin in mind. That is why it doesn’t irritate or strip the skin. On days that I feel that my skin needs some extra exfoliation or hydration due to dehydration from the sun, I put on a thick layer and let it sit for 20-30 minutes before washing it off.
Being kind to my summer skin
The step of removing the cleanser and all the dirt became even more enjoyable since I use Les Face Cleansing Cloth: as I didn’t find the perfect cleansing tool, I developed them myself. I envisioned a cleansing cloth that is soft, offers effective cleansing plus gentle exfoliation for the skin, and that, on top of all that, has a lower negative impact on the environment. Therefore, these silky soft cleansing cloths are made of 70% bamboo and 30% organic cotton and can be washed and reused endlessly.
Gentle cleansing is key
Using a gentle face cloth is essential to protect and maintain a healthy skin barrier. The structure of a regular towel is often too rough for the skin and one-time-use face wipes often contain alcohol which damages the integrity of the skin barrier (apart from the harmful effects on the environment). The fine texture of Les Face Cleansing Cloths is so soft that it suits even the most delicate skin types. It has just enough texture to offer a gentle exfoliation to leave the skin clean and soft without harming it. After I have cleansed my skin with the cleanser and face cloths, my skin feels clean, hydrated and soft.
Ozonated dental care Although not part of my summer skincare routine, but definitely an enrichment of my general health routine, I want to share this with you! Recently, I started using ozonated happy gum gel from Living Libations every evening after brushing my teeth. It is ozonated oral care, made from tri-atom oxygen (O3). It helps to clean and to bring freshness to the mouth. I’m head over heels with this product because it keeps your mouth and breath fresh all day long. It is my first time using an ozonated product and I’m truly impressed. Ozonated therapy or in this case oils can help with eliminating bacterial pathogens and can help to treat dental disease. I will soon write a blog dedicated to ozonated skin and oral care.
Time to unwind with La Prickly Pear Seed Oil After a long, hot day and going through all the previous steps of my summer skincare routine, I wrap it up with a gentle face massage and some face yoga exercises with La Prickly Pear Seed Oil. Before I go to sleep, I enjoy sitting in bed and taking a little time to myself and for some self-care. I use a generous amount of La Prickly Pear Seed Oil and massage it into my face, neck, décolleté, and even rub it onto my eyelashes. I've noticed that when I do that regularly, my lashes are longer and in better shape.
Face yoga as part of my summer skincare routine During an enjoyable 5-10 minutes, I give myself a face massage and do some facial yoga exercises. (There are many interesting face yoga exercises and programs to be found on the internet!) This helps to stimulate blood circulation and promotes elasticity. My skin feels and looks radiant and extra good when I’m consistently doing some ‘face exercise’. I use La Prickly Prickly Seed Oil for it, because it is oil-based and is perfect to massage the face with. It deeply nourishes the skin and brings a beautiful radiant glow.
Final touch up
Last but not least, I always put on my own lip balm before I go to sleep. I like to moisturize my lips before going to bed to keep them plumped and soft. Especially in times with many sunny days, it is important to hydrate and care for our lips. Waking up with soft and supple lips is a great feeling at the start of the next, hopefully yet another, sun-filled day.
Create your own summer skincare routine!
That is it! It seems like a lot, but I enjoy the process of taking care of my skin hugely and, when you do the counting, I actually don’t use a lot of skincare products. I do always make sure that everything I use is safe, of the highest quality and I preferably only use vegan skincare products. Of course, everyone has their own wishes and needs, but I hope my routine may inspire you to take extra good care of your skin and create your own summer skincare routine!