The weather is turning, which means showing more skin. But like every other season, summer comes with its unique skincare challenges. From post-winter chapped lips to a flaky scalp, there are a multitude of concerns you may experience as we transition into the warmer months. Here’s how to beat them – and feel confident in your own skin this summer.
Chapped lips
Dry, chapped and cracked lips are a common concern all year round. When it comes to caring for our lips, however, many of us are a little slack, relying solely on moisturising lipstick or gloss. We’ve discovered the loveliest, handiest little product to solve this problem – Fundamentals Skincare Restorative Lip Scrub & Mask (R175.00). Filled with nourishing jojoba oil, shea butter and squalene, this lip caring duo features a gentle sugar scrub on one end and a moisturising lip treatment mask on the other end. Simply massage the scrub into your lips for 2 – 3 minutes a couple of times per week, and once rinsed, apply the lip mask for softness and rejuvenation.
Ingrown hair
Ingrown hair occurs when a strand of hair grows back into the skin after shaving or waxing, leaving a bump which may become inflamed, red and itchy. As you’ll likely be shaving and waxing more regularly during summer, you may become more prone to developing ingrown hairs on your legs. A few things you can do to avoid their formation includes shaving in the direction of hair growth, always shaving with a sharp razor, rinsing your blade after each stroke and exfoliating regularly – especially before shaving. Exfoliation removes dead and dry skin cell build-up from the surface of the skin and helps to dislodge hairs that are growing into the skin. We love Sorbet Nourishing Body Scrub (R79.99), a lavish, vitamin E and provitamin B5 cleanser and scrub that leaves your skin feeling nourished and soft. Enriched with dragron fruit and argan oil, the rich source of antioxidants makes your skin look brighter and leaves it smooth and moisturised.
When last did you use a hair removal cream? The formulas have come a long way, and hair removal creams offer a safe and gentle way of removing unwanted hair – plus – you’re less likely to develop ingrown hairs when using one! We love Fundamentals Skincare Hair Removal Cream (R120.00), a gentle yet effective formulation that can be used on the body without any burning or irritation.
Rough hands
Our hands go through a lot, including incessant washing, the use of harsh sanitisers, dish-washing, laundry and more. They’re always exposed to the elements and we put them to use all day, every day. It’s not uncommon for them to get dry – and if not treated – rough, over time. In an ideal world we would be moisturising our hands after every wash, but that’s not always possible. Try to aim for a couple of times per day, and invest in a deeply hydrating hand cream that will work hard overnight to moisturise dry and rough skin. You can even wear a pair of cotton gloves when you go to sleep to ensure the moisturiser is locked in. We love Eucerin Urea Repair Plus 5% Urea Hand Cream (R189.95). It offers long-lasting moisture and is fast-absorbing and non-greasy, so you can use it during the day too.
Irritable or flaky scalp
The skin on our scalp requires care just like the skin on our body, and sometimes factors like hot showers, exposure to sea water and heat styling can irritate the scalp, leading to dryness, itchiness, redness and flaking. Try giving your scalp a gentle yet thorough exfoliation once a week to remove product build-up and dry skin cells. We love Umberto Giannini Grow Scrub Scalp Scrub (R180.00). This deliciously scented scrub removes dead skin and product build-up without stripping the hair, leaving your scalp fresh, clean and stimulated for healthy hair growth.
Sometimes, a flaky scalp occurs due to dandruff, a common skin condition affecting millions of people per year. Dandruff forms when the scalp’s natural oil secretion gets disrupted, and as this oil builds up on the scalp, it allows the Malassezia fungus to grow, which is the cause of your dandruff. The best way to treat dandruff is with a medicated shampoo, like the much-loved Selsun Blue Triple Action Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (R99.95). This powerful formulation contains Selenium Sulphide and Menthol to reduce both the symptoms and causes of dandruff by instantly refreshing and cooling the scalp, cleansing pores of irritants, purifying hair strands and regulating its natural oils. Plus, Selsun now also has a range of conditioners! Follow your shampoo with Selsun Triple Action Ultra Moisturizing Conditioner (R99.95). This powerful formulation contains ultra moisturizing ingredients to alleviate dryness and add moisture back into the scalp and hair strand, working from root to tip.
Itchy skin
If your skin is prone to sensitivity, chances are it may become itchy or uncomfortable from time to time. Discomfort is particularly common when skin is dry, and this is often the case as we move from one season into the next. The key to managing this discomfort is to use soothing and hydrating body care products that are free from irritants like artificial fragrances, soap and colourants.
We love Eau Thermale Avène Xeracalm Nutrition Cleansing Gel (R330.00) and Moisturizing Balm (R370.00). This duo was designed for sensitive and dry skin and fortifies the skin’s protective barrier while respecting the physiological pH of the skin. Filled with nourishing and soothing ingredients like milk thistle, niacinamide, vitamin E and of course, Avène’s renowned Thermal Spring Water, it can be used all over the body – as well as the on the face – by the whole family.
Another fantastic option is Eucerin’s Ato Control Bath & Shower Oil (R320.00). Suitable for the whole family, including newborns, this body cleanser comprises more than 60% natural oils (including omega 3 & 6 fatty acids). It can be used on dry, irritated and itchy skin to preserve the skin barrier, gently cleanse and prevent skin from further drying out. We recommend applying Eucerin pH5 Soft Body Cream (R330.00) afterwards to help restore the skin’s natural defences, decrease sensitivity and put much-needed moisture back into the skin.
Uneven skin tone
This may come as a surprise, but uneven skin tone is not just a facial concern – it’s also a common body concern. This may be caused by sun exposure, certain medications, genetics and injury to the skin. To minimise it, and prevent it from getting worse, it’s important to apply sun protection whenever those parts of your body are exposed to the sun, and to apply body lotions or creams that contain ingredients that help even out the skin tone.
Dove Even Glow Body Cream (R99.99) contains lotus flower extract and rice milk, and is specially formulated to help keep your skin tone looking its best. This gently scented cream contains a special Ceramide Restoring Serum with a unique blend of ingredients which work with your body to help your skin produce ceramides (known for their intense moisturising capabilities!).
We also love W Beauty Glow Intense Skin Body Serum (R199.00), which is specially formulated to provide intensive moisturisation and treat dark marks by evening out and smoothing the skin. It contains vitamin C and niacinamide to help increase the skin’s natural radiance and promote luminosity. The lightweight serum texture is lovely for the warmer weather.
Irritable underarms
Do commercial deodorants and anti-perspirants irritate your underarms? It might be time to switch things up and try a natural alternative. Not only are the ingredients a lot less harsh, but they’re usually also non-toxic and aluminium-free, offering a safer way to stay fresh.
Earthsap Wild Rose & Vanilla Deodorant (R76.99) is a mild but effective natural roll-on that’s free of harsh synthetic ingredients and toxins. Earthsap deodorant allows your pores to breathe, and doesn’t block the sweat ducts, which makes it much safer and healthier than the ordinary, chemical-laden roll-ons. Made with real rose and vanilla oils in a base of coconut and soybean extract, this eco-friendly deodorant smells as good as it feels.
Keratosis pilaris
Do you ever get those small, hard bumps on the back of your arms? Keratosis pilaris – a very common skin condition sometimes also referred to as “chicken skin” – is caused by a build-up of keratin (a hard protein that protects our skin from harmful substances). When there is too much keratin present, it may block the opening of the hair follicles, forming the little bumps. These bumps are typically harmless, usually not itchy, and are most commonly found on the upper arms, thighs or buttocks. To treat them and help prevent them from forming, avoid harsh scrubs, perfumed products and don’t pick or scratch them. Invest in a good quality chemical or enzymatic exfoliating product that gently removed dead skin cells and softens rough areas.
We recommend Environ Derma-Lac Lotion (R440.00), an alpha hydroxy acid lotion that helps soften rough and calloused skin, energises dull skin and speeds up skin cell renewal. It can be applied every day to any part of the body and even helps boost the skin’s moisture levels.
