5 Tips To Prevent Premature Ageing This Summer

Summer is well and truly here!

For you this might mean relaxing by the ocean, catching up with friends or picnics in the sunshine. Or maybe you’re keeping things simple with a BBQ in the backyard? Whatever summer means for you, the sun can take its toll on your skin and speed up premature ageing.

Did you know that some UVAs can still pass through window glass? That means even when you’re indoors or in the car, you may still be exposed to harmful rays that can damage and age your skin.

The best way to fight ageing, fine lines and wrinkles is prevention, so we’re excited to be bringing you some simple tips that you can start today to ensure you’re protected this Summer and for many Summers to come.

1. SPF! Wear. Your. Sunscreen!

Sunscreen is your best friend and the single most effective skincare product to protect you from premature ageing, sun damage, wrinkles and pigmentation. A broad-spectrum 50+ sunscreen will protect you against both UVA and UVB rays.

You might be thinking “but do I have to wear it every single day?”

The answer is yes! There are so many sneaky ways you are being exposed to UV rays so it’s best to lather up.

Gone are the days where applying sunscreen to your face meant a thick, sticky coating that leaves a white cast on your skin. Like most skincare, there are SO many amazing formulations of both chemical and mineral sunscreens on the market these days to suit your skin type and concern.

Some sunscreens make great primers and others leave your skin so glowy you won’t want to wear make-up at all, plus using an SPF can make your other skincare products and treatments work better too.

Choosing an SPF is super personal. In our opinion, the best SPF is the one you will actually wear daily, so take your time to try different formulas and textures to see what works best for you.

2. Cleanse, Cleanse, Cleanse

Every day you’re layering serums, moisturisers, sunscreen (hint, hint) and makeup. Thanks to those balmy summer nights, you can probably add sweat to that concoction too, so it’s imperative that you thoroughly cleanse your skin and give it a chance to breathe.

Ideally, you want a cleanser that will gently but thoroughly remove makeup, sweat and impurities.

The best way to do this is by using a cleanser that you already know works for you, paired with a facial cleansing brush. A facial cleansing brush allows you to get into every pore, crevice, nook and cranny to brush away the day’s worth of makeup, dirt and grime.

If you really want to detoxify and clean your skin, apply a Femvy clay mask after cleansing. The combination of clay, lactic acid, aloe vera and arrowroot will reduce congestion and brighten your skin. Pink clay is a magical ingredient for reducing congestion, imperfections and controlling oiliness.

3. Put That Moisture Back

Summer means hot days and sometimes a cocktail or two. Sweating, drinking and relaxing in the sun can strip your skin of its moisture, leaving your skin dehydrated. To nourish your skin and get that glow back, be sure to moisturise consistently at the beginning and end of each day.

Because of the temperature, we recommend hydrating yet thin formulas that are non-comedogenic to avoid clogged pores. We recommend layering a hyaluronic acid serum with a thin, hydrating moisturiser.

Hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water and locks moisture into the skin (especially when applied to a damp face!), making it a must-have ingredient to use in the Summer. Investing in a good hyaluronic acid serum will nourish your skin and keep your face looking like a plump, dewy dumpling no matter the temperature.

If you’ve had a full day in the sun and feel like your skin needs a big drink, use a sheet mask for quick relief. A hydrating sheet mask will take 15-20 minutes to drench your skin in the nutrients and moisture it needs and get rid of that dull, dry feeling of dehydrated skin.

Another tip to try is drinking even more water. We know it's boring, but making sure you’re hydrated from the inside out will help keep your skin hydrated and glowy all day long.

After all, the skin is your biggest organ!

Drinking water, at a cellular level, will flush your body and hydrate your system. When you drink enough water, your blood is flowing optimally which helps nutrients to reach the skin.

4. Slay the Dead Skin Away

Prevent breakouts and other impurities ruining your Summer selfies by exfoliating once or twice a week.

Taking the time to remove dead skin and build-up will make your skin glow, improve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and help with pigmentation. Your products aren’t wasted on skin cells that are dull and sitting at the top of the surface, by exfoliating regularly, your products become even more effective.

We recommend using a quality exfoliating device that safely removes impurities from your skin.

A blackhead remover is a great tool to suck up stubborn blackheads, unclog pores and extract any buildup from your skin.

Unlike other devices on the market, our blackhead remover also comes with a microdermabrasion attachment. Microdermabrasion is the ultimate physical exfoliating treatment that brightens your skin and smooths its texture to reveal a glowing complexion. Investing in a device that allows you to tailor the exfoliation to your changing skincare needs means you get the most bang for your buck.

5. Swap to Lighter Formulations

Avoid clogging your pores even more by swapping heavy, and oily makeup for something lighter. Layering a BB cream or tinted moisturiser over your sunscreen will let your skin breathe when you step out into the hot sun whilst still providing some coverage.

You may even choose to dilute your usual makeup by mixing it with another product like a Hyaluronic Acid or SPF so you can make your good foundation last longer.

Consider swapping to lighter skincare formulas too. Swap that heavy night cream for a layer of hyaluronic acid followed by a light moisturising cream.

And instead of moisturising before your sunscreen with a day moisturiser, swap to something like a hyaluronic acid serum. With a hyaluronic acid serum, you get to deeply hydrate your skin without needing to use a thick, heavy cream.

Most people find it easier to layer their HA serum under their sunscreen and makeup than a heavy moisturiser.

So I Missed a Spot With my SPF, Now What?

So you went out on a hot Summer's day and had some fun in the sun. Because you love your skin and want to prevent ageing, you used a broad spectrum SPF 50+ to protect your skin.

But alas, you forgot to reapply.

If areas of your skin are dry and dehydrated after a hot day, drink plenty of water. And put plenty of hydration back onto the skin. Use a moisturiser that is intensely hydrating and contains hyaluronic acid to heal the skin.

Once your skin feels nourished again, you can continue to heal it of the sun damage and pigmentation that potentially occurred.

To do so, use a good Vitamin C consistently. Vitamin C will neutralise the damage from pollution and environmental stressors whilst improving the appearance of sun damage, hyperpigmentation and dullness. 

Vitamin C is an anti-aging powerhouse. Using it consistently, particularly on the skin that was sun damaged helps to improve skin tone, texture and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. But please be careful! Vitamin C increases photosensitivity. This means if you use it everyday without an SPF after, you will increase your pigmentation. For the ultimate anti-aging routine, use SPF every morning and Vitamin C every night!

More Summer Tips

• Instead of packing on tonnes of powder and thick foundation to survive the heat, invest in a primer and makeup setting mist that makes makeup last. These two products are much thinner and won’t clog your pores as a heavy foundation will. Research which products are recommended for your skin type, and expect some trial and error to occur. This way you won’t clog up your pores and undo all of the hard work your skincare does!
• For your SPF to be effective, you need to apply 5ml or one teaspoon to the face and neck. But who has a teaspoon to measure out their SPF? Measure the right amount of SPF by squeezing out two strips of sunscreen that start at the base of your index and middle fingers, and end at the tip.
• There is a good reason why you need so much sunscreen to be adequately protected. It’s because your skin is made up of pores, which are like peaks and troughs. You need enough SPF to fill the troughs and cover the peaks; otherwise, your application will be patchy!
• If your skin looks tired after a day in the sun, deeply nourish it with moisture before applying your evening party makeup. Drenching the skin in hydration will make you look plump, dewy and put some much-needed moisture back into the skin. Plus, makeup applies better on hydrated skin! Try a hydrating sheet mask, or if you don’t have the time for that, do your eye makeup whilst wearing a hydrating eye mask to save time!
• Make life easier for future you by putting your Jade roller and Gua Sha in the fridge. After a hot Summer’s day, give yourself a quick, cooling pick me up with the cold jade stone. And for the ultimate cooling treat, put a sheet mask and a jade roller in the fridge and use after a hot day!

Want more anti-aging tips?

Why not join our VIP Private Facebook Support Group, or give us a call and speak one on one to our in-house Beauty Advisor. We’re here to help!