It might not seem like it, but summer will be here before we know it! As winter comes to an end and the weather starts to thaw out, it’s time to start preparing your skin, body and health for summer. From switching up your winter diet to swapping your skin care, little changes go a long way! Not sure where to start? No worries – we spoke to the experts to point you in the right direction.
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Skin care
Coming out of winter means prepping your skin for the warmer climate and focussing on two key areas: “One being boosting the skin’s hydration levels and the second is preventing skin congestion,” explains Dermalogica Education Manager, Emma Hobson.
Emma tells us that summer can be super tough on the skin thanks to the increase in heat and humidity, as well as exposure to air-conditioning. These factors can lead to more frequent breakouts, dehydration and impaired barrier function. Emma’s advice?
- Change from a milky, cream cleanser to a soap-free gel facial wash.
- Pick up your exfoliation to three times per week, ideally with a hydroxy acid-based exfoliant.
- Multi-mask with a combo of skin hydration and deep cleansing (clay or charcoal) to give the skin an even, dewy texture which is free from congestion.
- Swap from a nourishing serum or booster to one that’s primary action is to hydrate.
- Revert back to a lighter weight, hydrating moisturiser.
We love: ModelCo Gel Cleanser Gentle Daily Cleanser, Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant, The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask, Natio Ageless Hydrating Mask, Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster, Shanga Hydrating Moisturiser, Bellamer Botanical Skin Care Soothing Balm
Body care
Even though we told you here on bh how important it is to exfoliate, we don’t blame you for neglecting it a little in winter. Emma agrees: “Coming out of the cooler months we have probably not exfoliated or moisturised sufficiently. We’ve had our bodies covered in warm, protective clothing so our skin texture can be quite rough and dry.” The remedy? Get out your buffing cloth, load it with a healthy dose of body exfoliant and give your body a well-deserved and regular skin polish. Emma recommends coupling this with “a twice application of a body hydrating cream and before you know it, you’ll be beach body ready!”
Try:Dermalogica The Ultimate Buffing Cloth, Dr. LeWinn’s Liquid Loofah Mineral Body Scrub, C Lab & Co Coffee Scrub, Johnson’s Moisturising Cream Body Wash, Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturising Lotion, ECOYA Lemongrass & Ginger Hand & Body Lotion
Health and fitness
Ben Lucas, personal trainer and owner and co-founder of Flow Athletic and Flow After Dark reckons that the way you change up your fitness and diet in preparation for summer depends on your goals. When it comes to diet, he recommends trying to decrease your portion sizes (since in winter, we tend to load up our plates!). It’s also time to “ditch any foods that cause fluid retention, inflammation and bloating,” says Pip Reed, director and co-founder of TheHealthClinic.com.au. Pip recommends cutting out processed foods including refined sugar, starchy carbs and vegetable oils and upping your intake of fruit and veg.
As for your fitness, Nik Toth (otherwise known as The Lean Body Coach), qualified holistic nutritionist, personal trainer and health coach says upping your high intensity interval training (HIIT) will help get you summer-ready since it’s the best fat-blasting training. She also says adding some outdoor training (such as running, jogging or a nice coastal walk) to your routine is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the weather as it warms up!
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Summer glow
If you’ve neglected your tan over the cooler months, St. Tropez tanning expert Michael Brown says getting ready for summer is simple – it’s all in the preparation! Start with exfoliating your body at least once a week which will “buff and polish your skin so moisture is absorbed quicker.” He then recommends using a gradual tan that will help to build natural daily colour, while delivering vital moisture to your likely dehydrated winter skin! You could also try a dry tanning oil like St. Tropez Luxe Dry Oil which will nourish dry skin. Michael warns to steer clear of aerosol spray and mousse self-tans until your skin’s natural moisture is restored for summer, as these can be slightly more drying on the skin.
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We love:Bondi Sands Gradual Tanning Milk Everyday, St. Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower, JBronze Gradual Tanning Cream, Ivadore Tanning Treatment
How do you get your body summer-ready?
