LET YOUR SKIN BREATHE
Sweat and humidity cause irritation, so breathable, natural fabrics are a must — linen, cotton and silk all easily catch the breeze. If necessary, add a little tea-tree oil to your detergent before washing sheets, and nix any fabric softeners that could irritate your skin and exacerbate blockages.
SCRUB-A-DUB-DUB
Your shower ritual should be focused on renewal — shower and exfoliate immediately after any exercise, which will not only aid in lymphatic drainage so your silhouette is slimmer, but also ensure pores don’t get blocked (we like BY TERRY’s Baume de Rose Le Gommage Corps Body Scrub). Avoid shower oils or oil-based moisturisers afterwards. If bloating is an issue, dry-brushing before you shower will get that circulation going.
PROTECT YOUR VISAGE
All this is particularly important after a day in the sun — if you’re going to work on that tan, don’t ever skip the sunscreen, whether it’s for your face or body. For face, DR. BARBARA STURM’s Sun Drops are a favourite of beauty mavens, as they don’t clog pores too much and they mix with your existing serum or cream, while for body, the Diorsnow UV Shield Brightening Illuminating UV Mist is a good option. Sun protection can be pore-clogging, but it is a non-negotiable step so slather it on, but make sure to cleanse well afterwards with a product like AVEDA’s Sun Care Hair and Body Cleanser.
GET UP ON THE SUPPLEMENTS
The part that everyone skips in their body ritual is likely to be supplements, but these can be a secret weapon that will aid in fighting inflammation, a likely side-effect of those sun-drenched days when you’re bound to be a little dehydrated. Depending on your specific concern, products like BEAR’s Essential Daily Superpowders or THE BEAUTY CHEF’s Inner Beauty Boosts help to regulate gut health, and are a smart addition to any beauty routine — this summer, as well as all year-round.
