Summer skin often needs extra hydration
FIRM AND SCULPT
A combination of ageing, sun exposure and pregnancy can mean that skin on the upper arms, thighs, bust and stomach often starts to lose firmness. Building or maintaining the muscles underneath will help to add definition, but skin can also be given a helping hand with the latest sculpting creams and lotions. New L’occitane Almond Refining Concentrate (£45, uk.loccitane.com) contains pressed almond extract, which aids in firming, while the rich cream leaves it silky soft. Use Guinot Sculpt Expert (£46.75, feelunique.com) every day for a few weeks and you should see improvements in tone and elasticity thanks to seaweed extract, which helps to maintain collagen in the skin. Tackle the tell-tale dimpling of cellulite with Clarins Body Fit Anti-cellulite Contouring Expert (£39, clarins.com), which has quince leaf, caffeine and horse chestnut to smooth and firm.
If your job means you have long spells sitting down or standing up, hot weather can leave legs feeling very heavy and even a little puffy by the end of the day. Massage in new Sisley White Ginger Contouring Oil for Legs (£115, sisleyparis.com) in upward sweeps – the white ginger and ginkgo have a draining action, while rosemary helps to tone.
SOOTHE AND HYDRATE
The drying effect of the sun means skin can need extra hydration in the summer months. Body oils are particularly effective as they lock in moisture (especially if applied to damp skin immediately after a shower) and leave a delicate sheen on arms and legs.
De Mamiel Botaniques Salvation Body Oil (£75, demamiel.com) contains argan oil and prickly pear oil, which are rich in essential fatty acids to help repair and protect skin. Rosewood, bergamot and sandalwood essential oils also provide a wonderful aromatic scent. For a lighter oil and more floral fragrance, Korres Antiageing Body Oil in Santorini Vine (£24, johnbellcroyden.co.uk) uses sweet almond and apricot oil, and smells of blossoming vineyards.
Shins and knees can become particularly dry during the summer, so try This Works Skin
Deep Dry Leg Oil (£25, thisworks.com), which contains rose and evening primrose oil to nourish, with aloe vera to help soothe any irritation.
If the sun’s rays have caught you out and you’re a little sunburnt, avoid oils and instead opt for the calming properties of Neal’s Yard Remedies After Sun Spray (£6.50, nealsyardremedies.com) – a cooling gel treatment with camomile and aloe vera. Clinique After Sun Rescue Balm (£20, clinique.co.uk) also contains aloe, and has a light gel-like texture that sinks into skin.
STAY SUN-SAFE
The health benefits of vitamin D are well documented but, depending on your skin type, you only need around 15 minutes’ exposure each day to top up levels. At other times, it’s still important to protect skin from the sun’s rays when you’re out and about – to help reduce the risk of cancer and also its ageing effect.
There are a growing number of physical, rather than chemical, sunscreens available. These contain a physical block with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, and reflect sun off the skin. Both Odylique Natural Sun Screen SPF30 (£25, odylique.co.uk) and Green People Scent Free Sun Lotion SPF30 (£14.50, greenpeople.co.uk) are suitable for even the most sensitive of skins. If you’re out walking or playing on the beach, opt for Bare Republic High Protection Mineral Sunscreen Sport SPF50 (£17, feelgoodmatters. com), which is water- and sweat-resistant.
For more than a sun-kissed look, the safest way to achieve it is with self tan. The latest formulations have less of the ‘biscuity’ smell to them, and contain natural ingredients that help nourish skin and prolong a natural colour. The Organic Pharmacy Self Tan (£36.95, theorganic pharmacy.com) is derived from sugar beet and contains coconut oil and shea butter to keep skin smooth. If you’re short of time, Vita Liberata Ten Minute Tan (£29.95, vitaliberata.com) is an organic lotion that’s absorbed in just a few minutes before being showered off and develops over the next four hours. It also contains rose and neroli oil to improve skin elasticity.