How to Prepare your Body for Summer
Summer skincare isn’t just about the face. This is the season when our previously-covered arms, legs and torsos start to see the light of day again, so may need some extra care and attention to help you feel body confident. From the best body smoothers to false tans and non-greasy sunscreens, here are our top tips for body care in summer.
Smooth skin with an exfoliator
If you’re not already exfoliating a few times a week, now’s the time to incorporate a good body scrub into your morning shower or bath routine. Like a face scrub, body exfoliators can help you achieve smooth, even skin, and enable the products you apply afterwards to work harder, giving you the best base for summer.
What are the benefits of exfoliation?
Like the face, dead surface skin cells can build up on our body, causing our skin to become dry. Exfoliation removes those dead surface skin cells, revealing refreshed and smooth skin beneath, and it helps the body lotions, oils or creams that you apply afterwards to fully penetrate the layers of the skin. When applying a body scrub in a circular motion, it also helps boost circulation, increasing blood flow to the skin’s surface.
Three body exfoliators to add to your routine:
1. Dermalogica Thermafoliant Body Scrub
This dual-action body exfoliant contains Indian Bamboo Stem which physically exfoliates to refine skin texture and brighten tone. Papain and Lactic Acid dissolve dull skin cells, promoting skin’s natural cell renewal process for brighter, more radiant skin.
2. Estime & Sens Body Scrub 2 in 1
This body scrub contains Coconut Shell Powder which exfoliates the skin, giving it a silky smooth texture. Nourishing organic Shea Butter softens the skin, while Coconut Oil moisturises it, leaving you feeling hydrated and soothed.
3. Medik8 Smooth Body Exfoliating Kit
This three-piece kit contains a powerful trio of products to instantly revitalise rough, dry or bumpy skin, leaving behind a soft, sleek and silky body. With a scrub, body mitt and body lotion, this kit buffs away dead skin cells and leaves the body feeling hydrated, soft and smooth.
Reduce the signs of ageing with targeted body lotions
Ageing skin doesn’t just appear on the face. As we grow older, our collagen and elastin production decreases, causing our skin to lose elasticity and firmness, and wrinkles to appear. Use a specially formulated body lotion, cream or serum after your bath or shower to help firm skin and give it a more radiant glow.
Three firming body lotions to add to your routine:
This body serum contains BIOEFFECT’s innovative plant-based replica of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) – a naturally occurring protein in the body that aids collagen and elastin production. Fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed, skin is firmed, and the addition of Hyaluronic Acid, Barley Seed Extract, and Glycerin delivers a more radiant, youthful, and smoother looking skin.
2. HydroPeptide Firming Moisturizer
This anti-ageing body cream addresses and reduces the appearance of scars, discolouration, stretch marks and wrinkles. It also provides immediate and long-lasting hydration that’s not heavy or greasy, making it a great option for hot summer days.
3. Avant Skincare R.N.A Radical Anti-Ageing & Tightening Body Cream
This rich body cream combats the signs of ageing including wrinkles, sagging skin, and fine lines. The addition of Urea in the formula mildly exfoliates the skin, leaving it feeling soft and reawakening its natural glow.
Fake your glow with a self-tan
As much as you may want to bask in the sun all day for that covetable sun-kissed glow, extended exposure to the sun and harmful UVA and UVB rays can cause skin to age prematurely, and may even cause skin cancer. Achieve glowing summer skin without the damage with a self-tan instead.
Three self-tans to add to your routine:
1. Rose & Caramel Velvety Dark Olive Tanning Mousse and Purity Excel Tan Remover
This kit contains a lightweight, fast-drying tanning mousse with a green undertone that eliminates any orange tones in development, leaving a natural-looking tan. Purity Excel removes the false tan in three minutes, leaving skin feeling soft, fresh and clean.
2. The Organic Pharmacy Self Tan
This 100% natural self-tanning cream provides a streak-free natural colour in three hours. It’s made with EcoCert-approved DHA derived from natural Sugar Beets and a blend of Shea Butter, Coconut Oil and Sesame Oil to lock in moisture, leaving skin feeling nourished, too.
3. Rose & Caramel Intensity Dark Bronzed Tanning Mousse
This tanning mousse is formulated with hydrating ingredients that glide over the skin for easy, streak-free application. It has a red base to lift dullness in skin tone for a bold bronzed tan that has a full even coverage that lasts.
Protect skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen
Last but certainly not least, any good summer body prep needs a broad-spectrum SPF with UVA/UVB protection to minimise sun damage. Apply your sunscreen in the morning as the last step in your routine, and keep a bottle with you to top up regularly throughout the day.
Three sunscreens to add to your routine:
1. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Hydrating SPF50+ Sun Cream for Body
This sun cream has been specially formulated for sensitive skin that’s prone to sun allergies. It has a high level of broad protection and a non-greasy formula that doesn’t leave white marks.
2. Heliocare 360 Invisible Spray SPF 50+
This sunscreen works to protect skin against UVA, UVB, visible light and infrared-A. The formula absorbs quickly with an invisible and non-oily finish and it has water-resistant technology that’s effective even when applying to wet skin.
3. HydroPeptide Solar Defense Body SPF 40
This lightweight, refreshing sunscreen provides a high level of water resistant protection against UVA, UVB and Infrared damage. The addition of resveratrol and beta-carotene deliver antioxidant defence against pollutants and environmental stressors.
Get summer body ready with high-performing body care products at Face the Future online. For more sun protection, shop our full range of sunscreens.
