Summer Face Faves – Skin care
- 9 hours ago
- 7 min read
As we’re in the final week of August, my warmer weather must have been nailed, and I'll definitely be bringing them back for their full-time position in my make up bag next summer. This summer I’ve changed a lot of my face go-to’s, mainly because I found a lot of what I was using last year was one of the reasons I struggled so much with acne. The summer weather can wage war on troublesome skin, more sweating and more sun exposure can make problems spiral, especially fungal acne. So this year I have researched, trialled and found my go to’s, I prefer lighter skincare and make up during the warmer weather. I don’t like to spend loads of money on individual items, unless they're worth it. I usually opt for Highstreet stores like Boots and Superdrug or Amazon. I’ve also provided links to the sites, you’re welcome, no this is not an ad.
I’ve also found the BEST eye lash curler money can buy, let’s just say I no longer get lash lifts thanks to this beautiful utensil.
First up, in this article, what’s your name and what’s your talent… SKINCARE, I take care of your damn skin!
To note: I have combination, sensitive, acne prone skin, which is usually more oily in the summertime. Therefore, the products I use are fragrance free and more towards hydrating and protecting my skin. As I’m on prescription strength acne formula, I don’t use multiple different products and serums, My main goals are to ensure my skin is smooth, moisturized and happy.
This thermal spring water spray has been my staple, my life and my saviour. Climate change (yes it's real!) wages its way over the UK, these 30 degrees plus days are now the norm, and let me tell you, no air con or pool to jump into… and no Mediterranean beach to lounge upon, I struggled. However, this spray was the quickest to cool me down. It comes in various sizes, but the perfect make up bag and handbag size is the 150ml. It refreshes the face in the morning before skincare and then helps cooling during the day. You can use it all over your body also, not just your face, I liked to spritz my arms if I was sunbathing, it was almost like getting out from a pool, almost.
This is the perfect summer moisturiser, its lightweight but not light in hydration – which is the key, as many lightweight branded moisturisers are lacking in hydrating ingredients, it may sink in fast but by the afternoon your skin looks dull and as dry as the UK countryside. Whereas this beauty has the lightweight benefits, doesn’t suffocate your skin but keeps it plump and happy all day long. Another perk is that it doesn’t pill during the day, that is a huge pet peeve of mine, and this passes the test. On the super hot days, I’ve been re-applying this and my spf during the day, mainly because it slipped off during the sweating.
For the nighttime, I go between this and the next product. I love this thicker one for overnight, ten minutes after my prescription acne cream, it's great for sensitive skin, and protects the skin from cracking and drying from high strength products. It feels super nice on the skin, although it's thicker, it isn’t suffocating and sinks quickly into the skin, almost like it's lightweight but it is heavier in consistency whilst you rub it in. I feel it's great at smoothing the skin too, a true soldier of protection. A little goes a long way!
This is a very recent find, through Natalie O’Neil, the skincare goddess. I really like this product, its protective, glowy and hydrating. I’ve yet to use it during the day as my skin has been oiler with the heat, but I predict in the winter months this will become my daytime go to also. I love Dr Sam’s flawless cleanser also, that’s been a staple for a long time, and you can buy the refill to use in the same pump bottle. The moisturiser has the same benefits as the La Roche-Posay, but I’d say it has a nice glow to it also, so if you like your glass skin, this could be a great try for you also. The Dr Sam’s moisturiser line also has multiple different products for different skin types, such as their lightweight and balancing option.
This is a saviour when my skin is having a mare, especially if I’ve been in the sun all day, bad allergies or I tried a new product that didn’t suit, it calms and relieves my skin. Especially as my hay fever has been a battle this summer, this cream has been the perfect relief. I tend to use it on the day I’ve had a bit of a reaction and the day after, to ensure my face calms back to its normal self. It’s a great compact size too, to chuck into my handbag if I’m going to be sitting in the sun or near lots of hay fever triggers, the price is brilliant also. As it’s made with soothing oats, it’s a great saviour. It's quite thick and takes some time to properly sink in and get rid of the white cast, but its use is for itchy and dry skin, so if it does the job, I can’t complain.
On the topic of hay fever, the worst symptom I get is very watery and itchy eyes, like I could rip my eyeballs out and give them a bath to calm the itching. I do have eyedrops and tablets to calm symptoms but the aftermath on my eyelids is where I came across this little gem. In summers past I’ve struggled with eczema on my eyelids, which I could never fully get under control. I’m left with very dry, scaly and itchy eye lids, and this cream from amazon is very perfect. I use one pump on each eye lid and under eye both morning and night everyday, and I’ve had no eczema breakout since using this. It has 5 barrier lipids and 3% intense oat complex, preservative free and is optometrist approved, there’s really no product like it. Instead of focussing on my eye bags this summer, I’ve maintained healthy and happy eyelids, all thanks to this gem. Also to note I’ve had this 30ml pump bottle for the entire spring and summer and it's still full.
I’ve tried sooooo many spf’s, I tend to find most break me out, are super greasy, have a terrible white cast, irritate my eyes and make me feel horrendous. I shall include some summer face failures in the final part of the article, just so you don’t waste your money. This spf has 5 UVA stars, so it’s the best of the best at protecting. Everyone should be wearing spf 365 days a year, but especially in the sun and if you're using topical acne treatments, it’s very important to take your spf seriously. This one has been my new addition this summer and I’ve adored it, it’s my soul sister at this point. You can use it on your face and body too. I love the pump it comes in, and how one or two pumps will do you for the day, leaves a nice glow and feels moisturising at the same time. Some days I’ve just used this one product in the morning, as it does the job of a moisturiser too. It’s perfect for sensitive skin, doesn’t pill and is great under make up. It can look a lil greasy by the end of the day, from sweating and humidity, but it's usually only noticeable by the time I’m about to cleanse the day away. One bottle has lasted me from June and probably until October, when I need to repurchase. I’ve only been able to find this on Amazon at this moment in time.
Another great spf that I’ve added to my skin care bag this summer, which I flit between with the SOS spf. I’m sure you’ll have seen this all over time too as it has a cult following now, as it should. This is a really nice lightweight feeling spf and has the same perks as the SOS spf. I love how refreshing it feels! I would say it’s not my go to when my skin feels a little dryer, just as it can feel chalkier throughout the day, compared to the above product, but it’s still a great option and dare I say more travel friendly, as it’s a thin tube.
Now this is the BEST of the best, truly and wholeheartedly. I’ve always used a Tweezerman eyelash curler, which is good, but in comparison to this, it’s a runner up. Within one minute my eyelashes are more curled and standing than any mascara or lash lift could make them, I transform into a bright eyed and awake semi-functioning human. This summer I’ve started to wear light face make up, with no mascara as this has given me the same effect, and they don’t drop or lose their pizazz. It may be a little pricier than others, but my god it's so worth it, I pinky promise. Genuinely, please bury me with this curler, I can’t live without it.
SPF meh’s:
My sensitive eyes, hatred at greasy and suffocating feelings is why these two have been in my no-buy section. Although I do note both products are acne friendly, I just didn’t pass all my rigorous tests but I can imagine that for other skin types it will work well. Superdrug's own brand Defence moisturiser SPF 50 and Aveeno Calm + Restore moisturising lotion SPF 50, are better for less eye sensitivity, don’t mind light pilling and dryer skin types. I found the Superdrug one was a classic spf feeling, tacky and shiny and does leave a white cast, but I love the glow and price point of this one for sure, but as I’ve found more suitable ones for my needs, I wouldn’t repurchase. The Aveeno one feels lovely on the skin, and a light glow. I didn’t find this was as greasy as the Superdrug product, but it seemed to pill under make up and then it eventually irritated my eyes. Not awful products at all, I’ve tried much MUCH worse, but I wouldn’t repurchase these, but perhaps if your eyes aren’t as sensitive and are a different skin type, these could be great buys for you.
Stay tuned wonderful people for my summer make up faves chicks!
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