With spring in full swing and summer just around the corner, there is a great number of changes coming along. There are winter clothes to be packed away, summer dresses and light breezy garments to unpack, but there is also the little matter of skincare switch. Every season brings new skincare rules, or better yet, skincare products. If you’re looking to completely transform your skin and be summer-glow-ready, you’re in the right place because we’re about to drop some serious, game-changing wisdom when it comes to treating your skin so well that you’ll see the results before you know it. So let’s get right down to it.
A clean slate
It’s well known that the road to good skin is paved with cleanliness, so we need to deal with that first. In order to truly purify your skin you will need three steps and three different products, and if you want to do right by your skin, you will not skip any of these. First comes the makeup remover. Since the harsh weather is over and there’s no need for full-coverage foundations, you can remove your makeup with a gentle water-based micellar water designed for your skin type.
Next in line is a thorough wash and of course, there is nothing that beats a gentle cleanser that’s not abrasive and harsh on your skin. Our definite recommendation is the amazing Lancôme Energie de Vie Smoothing and Purifying Cleanser. It may be a bit pricier, but most game-changing products are. This will leave your face smooth and without that drying and tightening feeling.
Finally, toner. We took the word of a makeup goddess Desi Perkins who has been raving about the Balancing Force™ Oil Control Toner by OLEHENRIKSEN and we put it to the test. Not only does it remove the last specs of impurity, which is essential for all the further products to do their job, but it’s also suitable for those who don’t have oily skin as it wonderfully balances out your skin tone and leaves the skin super clean.
Resorting to the secret weapon
Almost every dermatologist or esthetician will tell you that if your skincare routine is short of a serum – “you’re doing your skin a disservice.” Serums are one of the newest products on the market and they are highly praised for their light-weight but active ingredient-packed formulas that have the power to hydrate and brighten your complexion, provide extra nourishment and even fight such issues as signs of aging and even acne. One of the best serums, tried and tested comes from the hyaluronic acid family. The reason it’s so fitting for the season is the weather – due to additional heat and humidity our skin loses plenty of water and a hyaluronic acid serum makes sure your skin is well hydrated, therefore plum and radiant, just the way you want it to be.
Now, when it comes to battling such issues, acne in particular, another secret weapon just might lie in the proper birth control for acne. As acne are often caused by a hormonal imbalance, pills just might be the right tool for your fight. However, since birth control is known to result in acne flare-ups for some women, the best course of action is to consult your physician, check your hormones and make an informed decision that will provide the best results for you.
Every now and then
Hydration is crucial at this time of year so load up on sheet masks. In addition to that, never forget to exfoliate – preferably two to three times a week. One of the finest non-abrasive exfoliators on the market is the Vitamin C Glow-Revealing Liquid Peel, which is so gentle and innovative. You apply it on clean skin. It comes in the form of a gel and you slowly massage your face using circular motions until the gel clumps up and dries. Then you simply wash the excess away with lukewarm water, dab your skin with a towel and you’re done. It’s so smooth and nourishing it doesn’t even feel like an exfoliator, but it effectively removes any leftover impurities and of course, those pesky dead skin cells.
A strange game changer
According to Joanna Vargas, a skincare facialist in NYC, there is a new beverage on the block, and apparently it truly is a game changer – chlorophyll. As she claims, a shot of chlorophyll every morning serves to not only brighten but also oxygenate, and hydrate your skin. Drinkable skincare solutions aren’t new, we’ve all heard of drinkable collagen, so chlorophyll, here we come.
You know best
Being the women of the Land Down Under, you are experts when it comes to protecting your skin from the negative impacts of the sun, but we’re here to give you a friendly reminder that application of sunscreen is a 365-day commitment, because those UV rays never rest, so make sure you always have it in stock.
A little treat
We know you can’t wait to get that tan (safely) but there is absolutely no harm in faking it ‘till you’ve made it. While there might be tons of self-tanning products out there, Elle recommended and we gave it a try, and it works like a charm. The product we’re talking about is Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Drops that come in three ‘shades’ – pink for fair skin, green for medium skin, and violet for dark skin. The reason these trump all other products of this variety is that they don’t smudge, aren’t sticky and you don’t end up with patchy skin, but gorgeously even-tanned sun-kissed glow.
The gut and the skin
Finally, don’t forget the importance of good nutrition, not just near the summer but all year round. Turn to superfoods that are bound to help you in your pursuit of flawless skin – both the holistic and Ayurvedic teachings, as well as Western medicine confirm the relation between the gut and the skin, so mind what you eat. Nutritionists have done their due diligence to examine and pick out the most skin-boosting foods, so now it’s your turn to integrate them into your diet.
You know what all women with great skin do? They stick with their chosen products and are diligent about their morning and evening routine. They also make it their mission to drink two liters of water and get at least 7 hours of beauty sleep. You want flawless skin – going to the store and picking out the products won’t cut it. You need to make a habit of using them almost religiously, because even the best products can’t do their magic if you don’t apply them regularly. These are the ultimate game changers – diligence and consistency. You need to commit to your skin in order to see results. There is no magic potion, just daily routines, great products and a healthy lifestyle. That’s the real secret.
