Summer ritual for the face

Layer upon layer upon layer upon layer is what autumn is all about. Both when it comes to clothes, but also your skincare routine. Rich, heavy creams can seem overwhelming when they’re just going to be sweated off shortly afterwards in the sun, or melted into your pillow at night. How do you find the right balance? Here are our top tips for your summer routine – from morning to night.

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The morning routine

Although you’ll (of course) be applying more sun cream when the sun is beating down, ‘less is more’ is the key phrase when it comes to your morning routine. Sunny days and higher humidity mean that, unlike in winter, your skin is better at retaining moisture on its own. Check in with your skin – perhaps it’s time to consider a lighter routine and skip an extra layer of cream in summer compared to the rest of the year. Opt for lighter textures, multi-purpose products (an easy way to skip a step) and super-hydrating formulas. – Start by cleansing your face with a lighter cleanser that doesn’t contain overly rich oils. STAR 3-in-1 micellar water is a gentle facial cleanser that gently yet effectively removes dirt, oil and make-up. 

- Exfoliate your skin with the RENEW facial brush. Contrary to what many might think, you don’t exfoliate away that golden summer glow. Instead, you remove dead skin cells so you can make that radiant glow last well into the summer!

- Next, use a facial mist. Our mists can be used as a toner, and they’re all packed with protective antioxidants. Tip: Keep your facial mist in the fridge and use it as a cooling hydration boost throughout the day.

- Apply a day cream with a light texture, such as our multi-purpose BB cream SPF30 with its light, smoothing tint, or finish with a light day cream like CASHMERE or SILK. You can also use our lightweight LIGHT face oil.

- If your day cream doesn’t contain SPF, you should, of course, finish your routine with sun protection. Apply your sun cream in two stages to ensure you cover your skin thoroughly (an almond-sized amount for the face and a whole handful for the body).

1. Your first layer 15–20 minutes before sun exposure (mineral sun filters, however, work immediately once applied)

2. Apply your second layer within the first hour of sun exposure. Reapply generously throughout the day in direct sunlight and after contact with water.

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The evening routine

Perhaps you find that in summer you get more spots, breakouts and generally increased oil production? 

Many people think this is down to the sun cream, but in reality it’s because the combination of sun cream and increased heat-related sweating can make the skin more congested than usual. The Karmameju SUN range contains mineral sun filters that don’t clog the pores.

However, dead skin cells, dirt, bacteria and sweat accumulated throughout the day can lead to excess sebum production and spots if your skin isn’t cleansed thoroughly every day – and ideally given an extra cleanse after using sun cream. 

The solution? Wash away the day with a double cleanse. 

Why double cleanse?

There are two types of impurities on the skin after a long day in the sun: fat-soluble (make-up, sun cream, excess sebum) and water-soluble (dust, dead skin cells and sweat). That’s why you need two types of cleansing products to cleanse deeply. 

If, for example, you only use an oil-based cleanser to dissolve sun cream and make-up, in the worst-case scenario you’ll only remove these impurities.

- Start with the oil-soluble cleanser, such as an oil cleanser. MUSE cleansing is based on plant oils that nourish, restore and gently cleanse the skin. MUSE works in three phases: it starts as a rich, cleansing gel, transforms into a nourishing, soothing oil and finishes as a hydrating milk upon contact with water. Goodbye, sun cream!

- Next, apply the second cleanser: the water-soluble cleanser. For example, your STAR micellar water from your morning routine or a foaming cleanser such as NOW micellar foam, which cleanses deeply with surfactant micelles that effectively dissolve impurities.

- A couple of times a week, we recommend using a face mask. The DREAM clay mask balances sebum production whilst soothing the skin after a full day in the sun.

- Finish with a light cream; our face creams, CASHMERE & SILK from the morning routine, can also be used as part of your evening routine, or the PRE & AFTER SUN serum-lotion, which is a multi-purpose product combining serum and cream in one.

- If your skin tends to be on the dry side, the evening is the time to treat it to slightly richer textures, such as a facial oil. If it’s too heavy for your skin, you can tuck them away at the back of the shelf until autumn. 

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No external care without internal care. Nourish your skin from within with nutritious fruit and veg, water and SKINFOOD smoothies. Find your favourite recipe by browsing our recipes HERE.

STAY HYDRATED!