Easy Summer Skincare Routine
How to achieve a healthy natural glow for summer
Hey It-Girls! I know the weather here in the UK hasn't exactly been a source of optimism when it comes to summer but I'm remaining hopeful that we'll see some sun soon (fingers-crossed)! At the start of this year one of the things I really wanted to invest in was my skincare. As a teen I struggled a lot with spots due to having oily, acne-prone skin. I experimented with a tonne of products when I was younger but eventually settled on a basic routine that kept my spots at bay but did nothing for my overall complexion. My skin was clearer but noticeably dull and honestly kind of tired looking. So I started doing my research and came across a few products that have honestly been game-changing! It's only been a few weeks but I've been seeing such a strong difference that I couldn't wait to share it with you guys! Now I know everyone's skin is different so what works for me may not work for you but if you deal with similar issues (acne/oily skin) I would definitely recommend the products used in this post! Keep reading for my summer-ready, healthy glowing skincare routine:
Witch Hazel + Tea Tree Oil
Okay so these two products have been a staple in my routine for the past 6 years now and have made a huge difference to the appearance of my skin. I use these together as a cleansing toner blend, both day & night, to cleanse and soothe my skin. These natural ingredients have made my skin significantly less oily, improved the visibility of my pores and reduced how often my skin breaks out. This honestly used to be the entirety of my skincare routine at one point because I was scared to add anything new however, my skin still felt incredibly dull and this alone had very minimal impact on my hyperpigmentation and acne scars.
REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
I'd seen people rave about REN Skincare all over Instagram but for some reason I had been reluctant to try it until now. When trying any new product, I always prefer to go for a smaller bottle to test it out first, before investing fully. That way, I can avoid spending on something I might not want to continue using in the long run and it also means I can reduce waste. So when I came across the mini REN Glow One Step Further Radiance Kit in Oliver Bonas, I knew it was a sign for me to finally try out this amazing brand! Their packaging is gorgeous and their products are clean and cruelty-free which is amazing as I'm trying to consume more consciously. I use the AHA tonic at night and I just love the way it brightens my skin after a cleanse.
Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
I've been using this product for a month now and I'm so excited by how much my skin has transformed as a result. This serum combines Hyaluronic acid and Thiamidol for a moisturising blend that targets the root of hyperpigmentation to fade dark spots over time. The application is incredibly smooth and lightweight, perfect for day & night. My complexion looks noticeably more even and I've had no new dark spots since incorporating this serum into my routine.
REN Glow Daily Vitamin C Gel Cream
This moisturiser was part of the REN Radiance Kit and honestly came at the perfect time as I had just run out of my usual Aloe Vera gel. It smells so refreshing and feels smooth and lightweight on my skin, perfect for warmer weather, without making my skin feel greasy. It combines Vitamin C and Tara Pod extract to brighten the skin and improve discolouration for a healthy glow that I can't get enough of!
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid SPF50+
Okay I'll admit it, I am one of those people who thought I didn't need sunscreen everyday because of my skin tone. I also hated the idea of sunscreen on my face as all my previous encounters with it involved looking ghostly and off-tone while on holiday (not a vibe). But after seeing several of my faves swearing SPF was a key part of their skincare routine, I decided to give in and try it for myself. What I love about this sunscreen is that it's invisible and doesn't leave any weird discolouration on my face. It also doesn't leave a thick, uncomfortable layer on my skin which is perfect. My skin is already beginning to feel more healthy with that extra protection in place not to mention my dark spots fading more easily. I am officially convinced, SPF is life!
REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask
Once per week, usually on the weekend, I like to treat my skin to a renewing and moisturising face mask. This mask gently exfoliates to remove dead skin cells, reduce fine lines and improve overall complexion. I use this in the morning at the start of my self-care routine before I follow up with the rest of the products above. I love how natural and gentle it feels on my skin and it smells great too!
I'm a firm believer that what you consume greatly contributes to your outer appearance. I noticed pretty early on that the more dairy I consumed, the more I would break out. So aside from skincare products I also try my best to stick to a (mostly) dairy-free diet. I drink lemon water every morning and always have my Chilly's water bottle with me to stay hydrated throughout the day. Some new additions to my routine include taking supplements regularly to boost my overall health and wellbeing, including Ashwagandha and 5-HTP which have greatly improved the quality of my sleep. I've heard amazing things about the benefits of collagen for the skin, hair and nails so I recently picked up some Dose & Co unflavoured collagen which I add to my daily protein shake.
