Summer Skincare Essentials: It’s All About Ultra-Hydration

When it comes to summer skincare essentials, hydration really is key. That’s where oils come into play; both the type your skin produces and the type you apply to your complexion.

This hot time of the year can be a curse if you have oily and extremely sensitive skin. Heat will mean more sweat, oil and grime, as well as speedier skin cell production.

It’s a perfect recipe for an acne breakout.

So, it might seem counterintuitive to add more oil to this mixture, but as it turns out, this can be one of our best essentials for summer skincare.

Franchine Young Skin Oils

I’ve literally travelled to the ends of the earth to source the finest argan and prickly pear seed oils. I selected them for their formidable antioxidant and other healing properties and believe they are the perfect essentials for summer skincare.

• Argan oil is extracted from kernels of argan nuts. This oil is an absolute wonder renowned for helping to slow the skin ageing process thanks to its potent levels of Vitamin E and antioxidant fatty acids, including Omega 3 and Omega 9. Organic argan nuts are hand-harvested and cold-pressed to capture all these nutrients and leave your skin luminous
• Prickly pear seed oil is derived from the cactus plant. This ingredient has taken the world by storm and has been used for centuries to treat conditions from burns to illness. It’s also known as Barbary Fig Oil or Cactus Pear Oil. It is a formidable antioxidant sometimes referred to as argan on steroids. It penetrates quickly into the skin, leaving it ultra-hydrated.

I use these oils all year round as part of a minimalist or ‘less is more’ approach to skincare. My own routine involves cleansing and moisturising with Wonder Balm, toning with rosewater, and the ultimate nighttime rehydrating treat using either the pure argan or organic prickly pear seed oil. Apply overnight and wake up to outstanding results.

Oils hydrate better than moisturisers

You might be tempted to use a light moisturiser, but oils perform better at locking in moisture and keeping your skin hydrated.

I’d like to say oils are on-trend or are making a comeback, but that’s just not true. They have been used for centuries for both beauty and therapeutic reasons and can treat conditions from burns to illness.

They are the ultimate hydrators and anti-ageing weapons with their formidable antioxidant and other healing properties.

Using oils in conjunction with SPF cream

In summer, most people are preoccupied with applying enough SPF to protect the skin from harmful sun rays. But, absolutely, this is a smart and essential summer skincare routine.

I use SPF30 tinted mineral-based – no nasties! If it’s a scorching day, I will tend to opt for our Prickly Pear (more on this dry oil further down) then apply SPF after. Sun rays can cause long-term skin damage as well as cancer. Make sure to apply sunscreen not just on your face but also on exposed body parts.

Oils can fight the signs of ageing

Our skin moisture levels decline as we age, causing dry, dehydrated skin, making fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable. Oils not only hydrate the skin, but because they are rich in antioxidants, they also fight free radical damage to cells, thereby preventing further ageing.

If the summer season is making your skin dry, I can’t recommend this summer skincare essential more highly. Apply premium quality oil to your face or body once or twice a day. Although the hydrating benefits may leave your skin feeling soft and smooth, always remember to include an SPF in your regime, as most oils won’t have sunscreen in them.

If you have any specific questions about summer skincare essentials, don’t hesitate to contact me. I would love to hear from you!

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