HOLIDAY SKIN CARE ESSENTIALS
We all look forward to our summer holidays. Sea, sun & sand. Amazing for our mental health & wellbeing. Likely much deserved after working hard all year round. Nonetheless, our skin may need a little extra help while away. And why not pamper yourself too! This month Dr Pippa, our resident skincare specialist (GP, Dermatology Certified), shares her top 5 summer skin care essentials.
First has to be… of course you have guessed it! SPF. It is wonderful to enjoy the sun but do so safely. Apply a higher SPF sun screen at the start of the day, protection against both UVA & B, and reapply every couple of hours. SPF 25 gives you a 96% protection rate. And I love the UpCircle Beauty mineral Sunscreen with lavender and raspberry extract. It is natural, sustainable and absorbs well. I use this daily.
Whilst second has to be Vitamin C. This is because pairing Vitamin C with SPF creates a powerhouse coupe, as they work together to better protect the skin from free radicle and UV damage. I love to use the UpCircle Coffee Serum enriched with Vitamin C in the evening to give my skin a daily boost. Vitamin C is also great for anti-ageing and de-pigmentation. Do take care if using as it can make your skin slightly sun sensitive. This is also why I recommend pairing with an SPF, especially if used in the morning. I also love using Vitamin C in eye creams, like the Lumene Vitamin C Eye Cream, as this brightens. As well as masks, like the VitaSkin Vitamin C Gel Mask, to rejuvenate which leads on to number 3….
Face Masks - Why not take a mask with you to pamper yourself whilst away. Furthermore, this will help hydrate your skin after being on the beach all day, as well as fight any sun damage and help with any pigmentation like freckles. Other Masks to try are Beauty Pro or The Body Shop Sheet Masks. Easy to pack & super relaxing.
A good Cleanser - Whilst on holiday especially if hot and humid we tend to have excess build up of sweat & pollutants. Wiping this off twice a day allows a clean base & other products to work more effectively. Cleansers with AHAs or Salicylic Acids help further by returning the skin back to its natural slightly acidic pH and helping to prevent breakouts in hot and humid weather. The Pip and pod Peach Foaming Cleanser is a lovely & light edition to try here. Or if looking for something a little more gentle, the Body Shop, Vitamin E Face Wash or Cleanser.
Last but not least is a good Body exfoliator. I love the UpCircle Coffee Scrub, as well as the Lush Orange Scrub. These are energising and useful for buffing the skin to both look radiant whilst away, & to help keep on top of arm acne or In-growing hairs from shaving or hair removal. It is also great for removing fake tan, as this is safer than tanning in the sun, ready to apply a new layer!
So there you have it! My 5 skin care holiday essentials. And all the product recommendations are vegan & cruelty free. If you’ve got room in your suitcase, I would also take a good fake tan & hair mask like Coco & Eve, a hat, sun glasses & a good water bottle to keep you hydrated!
Here is wishing you and your skin a safe & fabulous summer holiday!