When summer hits, my skin decides it wants to play ball. Since this stifling heatwave struck a couple of months ago, I haven’t really had a break out, but that’s not to say that my beauty regime has been issue free. I’ve had sunburn which has resulted in hyper-sensitive dry skin. My lips are really reactive to the sun and have also been sore and dry. All in all, the summer does its very best to dry me the f out. What I’m trying to say here is that I’m a raisin. Brown, wrinkly and devoid of any moisture.
I’ve been pulling out the big guns and trying to get every last drop of hydration back into my skin. So, listen up. Here’s some of my top product tips for quenching your dehydrated skin this summer.
Face
Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Serum
Let me start off by highlighting that this is expensive. £70 for 30ml. Is it cheap? No. Is it insanely good for soothing dry skin? Yes. What first strikes me about this, is the lack of Hyaluronic Acid in its ingredients list. For me, anything that promises plumping moisture, as the Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Serum does, I would expect to contain HA. It’s actually Microfluidics, a very advanced piece of skincare technology, that we have to thank for the moisture levels in Hydra Beauty. The use of Microfluidics basically means that the active ingredients are held in the formula as micro-droplets, allowing the ingredient to stay totally pure until the moment it fuses with the skin. For serious plumping and juicy hydration, we can hold the Camellia micro-droplets accountable. In my opinion, this stuff is worth every penny.
True North De-Stressed Mask 6.1
I’ve talked about the True North De-Stressed Mask several times before. True North is a Nordic brand (and I am ALL OVER Scandi skincare atm) that was founded by Jan Behrens, a Danish Medical Research Specialist. Essentially, it’s science-led skincare that really works on rebalancing the skin. So, yep, it’s jam-packed with hydration-giving ingredients. The thing I love the most is the lack of focus on the ingredients being all-natural. Because natural isn’t always the way forward, guys! When my skin is dry and unbalanced, I whack this mask on for 10 minutes and let the cooling Aloe Vera Balancing Complex™ and plumping HA do their thang. There’s too many wonder ingredients in this little red tube to list. Honestly, if you suffer with dry skin just please give True North a go. It’s incred.
Lancôme Hydra Zen Anti-Stress Rich Cream
I know everyone is probably desperate for me to stop banging on about this but guys seriously CAN I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION. If your skin is looking dull AF, Lancôme Hydra Zen Anti-Stress Rich Cream is something you really need to add to your skincare arsenal. It’s super thick and seriously rich without being cloying. It leaves the smoothest, most radiant, glowing complexion I’ve ever experienced AND I haven’t had a breakout. It also contains Hyaluronic Acid so just totally what my dried-out skin needs. Hyrdra Zen always and 4eva.
Body
Nars Monoï Body Glow II
When I first got this home I nearly cried. It had gone goopy and solid and I thought it was the end. After a quick Google I realised that if Monoï de Tahiti oil gets cold, it solidifes – you just need to warm it up in your hands to restore it. If you read my posts a lot, you’ll know I have very irritated, dry skin. This Nars Monoï Body Glow II oil is one of the only body oils I can use without a flare up. In French Polynesia, Monoï de Tahiti oil is used for its protective nature and for its soothing and moisturising properties; it’s a bit of a wonder product. Long and short, it totally descales the dry skin on my legs, soothes any sunburn and smells INSANE.
Aveeno Dermexa Emollient Cream
Even though my eczema does tend to clear up a bit in the sun, I’m still prone to the occasional spout. A few months ago I was introduced to the Aveeno Dermexa Emollient Cream (and body wash), and it’s totally transformed my skin. Firstly, it’s packed with Ceramides that work to rebuild the skin barrier and retain moisture. And secondly, it has no irritating nasties (Note: it does contain Petroleum Jelly. Due to personal opinion, I don’t deem Petroleum Jelly as a ‘nasty’ but want to flag for those that do). And by nasties, I don’t just mean the horrid chemically stuff. For me, it’s usually natural irritants that flare my eczema up. This just keep everything at bay. No irritation, all the moisture.
Lips
Fresh Sugar Caramel Hydrating Lip Balm
My lips are naturally super dry and I’m ashamed to admit that I a bit of a serial balmer. Not using the right lip balms can actually dry your lips out in the long term and leave you in a dirty cycle of constant balm application. This Fresh Sugar Lip Caramel Balm certainly is moreish but not for the reasons you might thing. As the key ingredient, sugar is used to help aid the prevention of any moisture loss in the lips, and, alongside a flurry of natural remedies, it’s also formulated with Vitamin E for ultimate moisture delivery. The reason I can’t get enough? It smells absolutely unreal.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume Levres
Last but not least is the godfather of lip treatments. For serious chapping, cracking and discomfort, look no further that La Roche-Posay’s Ciaplast Baume B5 Lips. You know how I said balms can get you stuck in a cycle? This proves that theory wrong. Think of this tube as a treatment that you need to give your lips to get them back to full health. Applying this is like wrapping your lips in the softest blanket imaginable. After a few days, they’ll be almost as good as new.
So that’s it! The thirst quenchers you really need this summer. I realise I haven’t discussed hair saviours in this post. This is purely because I got a haircut today that I absolutely hate and I really can’t bring myself to think about hair right now without crying. If you want to know what I use to save dry hair in the summer, just let me know!