With the advent of summer comes the time for lazy days and low-key routines – especially when it comes to makeup.
Like many, we relish the idea of keeping our face free of makeup over summer, to let our natural summertime glow shine through (along with the welcome extra freckles we always seem to obtain!) But really, who wants to be packing on layers of foundation, powder, eyeshadow et al to head to the beach or a barbeque, only for it to melt off our face ten minutes later?
The secret to going makeup free and wearing a bare face with confidence? Getting a glow on that’s so good, it would basically be a sin to cover it up with makeup! And how you attain that is through a variety of methods; namely a good skincare routine using key ingredients, as well as a few other tips and tricks we’ll share with you below.
Read on for our 5 easy steps to healthy, glowing summer skin.
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1. Put time and care into your skincare routine.
The end goal may be to cut down the time you spend putting on makeup, but in order to do this you’ll need to put a decent amount of time into a rigorous and thoughtful skincare routine. Focus on products designed to enhance the very best state of your skin, while dealing with any skin concerns you may have to keep it looking healthy and hydrated. One brand we’ve tried in the past that we know takes the science of skincare and combines it with the very best in natural ingredients is New Zealand-made Syrene.
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Packing together ingredients found both in the sea and in nature, there is a distinct focus on ingredients which will deeply nourish and condition (botanical oils, pohutakawa), retain moisture (marine collagen, manuka honey), balance oil production (sea salt) and provide anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to soothe troubled skin (kawakawa, manuka honey).
The formula itself is gel-based, meaning it is light and melts easily into the skin, leaving the skin feeling plump, firm and intensely moisturised. Not to mention, taking time for that moment of self-care has a calming and restorative effect on your entire nervous system which will no doubt result in an enviable glow all on its own!
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Our pick: The entire Aqua range is incredible, being that it is derived from active algae extracts which are rich in antioxidant properties, helping with skin elasticity and reducing the effects of free radicals your skin encounters daily. But for summer, you can’t beat the Syrene Travel Companion kit ($129.99), made up of six mini size products from within the Aqua range – the perfect set to take with you on your travels or even to the gym or Pilates – so you won’t have any excuse not to complete your skincare routine!
2. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
No matter how many good products you put on your skin, the key to getting the best kind of glow is keeping the skin hydrated from the inside out – and drinking a lot of water is mandatory if you’re looking for optimal skin health. Add a squeeze of lemon or a slice of cucumber for added flavour – plus, these will help to neutralise the skin for an extra fresh, glowing complexion.
3. Use a skin cleansing device for extra efficacy.
Devices such as FOREO are #trending for very good reason – not only do they help to stimulate your skin through a variety of firming massage routines, promoting micro-circulation and relaxing facial muscles to delay development of wrinkles, they also maximise the efficacy of your cleanser, allowing it to unclog pores and gently remove dirt, oil and impurities. The added bonus is the products you use after your cleanser will penetrate even deeper, meaning you’ll get better results from your overall skincare routine.
4. Cut out sugar, dairy and caffeine and eat gut nourishing foods and ones high in Omega-3.
Dairy and sugar are both known to be pro-inflammatory and often acne-causing while caffeine is extremely dehydrating. It might be hard to remove these from your diet (cheese! chocolate! coffee!) but your skin will certainly thank you for it. Focus instead on gut nourishing foods (think of the two ‘F’s – fibre and fermented) as well as food rich in antioxidants, such as berries, dark green veggies or tea. Cruciferous vegetables like kale, broccoli and bok choy can help boost the detoxification powers of the liver while healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids which are found in fish and nuts can help to reduce acne and inflammation.
5. Get enough sleep.
One of the easiest ways to brighten your complexion and kick the dull, lifeless skin you’ve been living in over winter is simply getting more ZZZs. When you sleep your skin stem cells go through cycles of rapid growth, so when you aren’t getting enough of it, your skin will be the first telltale sign. The other thing which happens when you’ve not been sleeping is your body’s levels of cortisol will spike which can accelerate aging and leave you with increased fine lines and less elasticity.
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This article is brought to you in partnership with Syrene. To find out more about Syrene skincare, visit syreneskincare.co.nz.
