Is there anything better than the first warm, sunny day of the year? After months of hiding under layers, we can now look forward to beach trips, weddings and sunny holidays. But coaxing out our best summer skin as temperatures rise isn’t always easy. So, if you’re looking to get your skin in shape for summer after months of slathering on thick moisturisers and wearing heavy make-up, here are a few of my top essentials to get you started.

Issue: Protecting the skin and tanning safely 

Solution: Institut Esthederm Bronz Impulse

If you’re lacking a natural bronze, tanning has never been easier. The Institut Esthederm Bronz Impulse is a lightweight mist spray that prepares your skin to be in the sun. It helps to protect and strengthen the skin’s natural defences against the sun whilst preparing it for beautiful, natural tanning. The whole ethos behind Institut Esthederm is that your skin’s tan is its natural defence mechanism against the sun, and its whole sun care range is formulated to allow your skin to tan safely.

Issue: Cellulite and dull, dehydrated skin

Solution: Dry body brushing

We all have more skin on show throughout the summer months, so naturally, we want it to look its best. Dry body brushing is a great way to transform dull, dehydrated skin and significantly reduce the appearance of cellulite, a condition that affects over 90% of women and can be tough on confidence. The tough, natural bristles of body brushes deeply massage the skin, softening any hard fat deposits that may lie below the skin’s surface and cause uneven texture.

It’s easy to incorporate body brushing into your routine – I like to do it for just a few minutes, first thing in the morning before my shower. Using long, smooth strokes, take the body brush and move over your skin, starting at your feet and moving upwards towards your heart. Be careful not to ‘scrub’ the skin, long even stokes are best for your circulation and lymphatic system.

Issue: Thin, crepey, lax skin on the body

Solution: Revision BodiFirm

If smooth, toned limbs are on your wish list this summer, this is the product for you. Revision BodiFirm is an award-winning product that came over to the UK from the USA late last year. It’s a breakthrough formulation for visibly firming, lifting and toning the skin. It’s perfect for use on the thighs and stomach, helping the skin look firmer, smoother and better contoured in just twelve weeks.

Issue: Dry, lacklustre locks

Solution: Kerastase Soleil

Sun exposure, chlorine and dry environments are really damaging to your hair, so you must protect it. I always use the Kerastase Soleil in the summer months – I like to run a layer through my hair after towel-drying it. It’s enriched with Vitamin E and UV protection to prevent dryness and sun damage and tame frizz for a silky-smooth finish.

Issue: Protecting skin and dullness

Solution: SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic

While you may be religiously applying sunscreen to protect your skin while out in the sunshine, a high-quality antioxidant is crucial to fight off free radicals that cause lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.

Formulated with a highly advanced blend of Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid, the SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic is one of my favourite antioxidant serums for actively defending the skin cells and collagen stores against damage and destruction whilst aiding the healthy production of vital proteins within the skin. Used daily, expect to see your skin become firmer, smoother, brighter, and more uniform in texture.

Issue: Acne, congestion, and dullness

Solution: HydraFacial

Summer months call for clean, make-up free skin and the best way to prepare for that is with a HydraFacial. The treatment uses a hand-held device featuring vacuum technology and a whirring vortex at its tip to easily dislodge and remove impurities whilst simultaneously delivering hydrating serums deep into the skin.

 

It combines multiple facial techniques all-in-one to deeply cleanse, exfoliate away dead skin cells and even do a spot of lymphatic drainage massage to eliminate toxins. A glycolic skin peel is applied to loosen debris and dead skin cells before the vortex technology suctions this gunk and debris from the pores, leaving the skin much smoother and more receptive to the radiance-boosting vitamins, antioxidants, peptides and hyaluronic acid that comes next.