Daylight saving is here, the evenings are stretching out and summer is officially on the countdown. Before the beach days, barbecues and holidays kick off, it’s the perfect time to get your skin summer-ready. We’ve rounded up our best summer skin advice into one simple guide, from understanding UV to the products our therapists reach for and what to do if the sun catches you out. Why summer skin needs a little extra care New Zealand’s UV levels are some of the highest in the world, and from September to April they’re strong enough to damage unprotected skin quickly, especially between 10am and 4pm. Sun exposure is the number one cause of early signs of ageing, including fine lines, wrinkles, rough texture and pigmentation. UVA rays are around all year, whenever there’s daylight. They reach deep into the skin, drive premature ageing and pigmentation and can even pass through glass and cloud. You can’t feel them working, which is what makes them sneaky. UVB rays affect the surface of the skin and are the main cause of sunburn. They’re strongest in summer, in the middle of the day and around reflective surfaces like water, sand and snow. Good protection covers both, so you can enjoy the outdoors and still keep your skin healthy. The sneaky places you’re getting sun It’s not just a day at the beach that counts. Incidental exposure adds up quickly: In the car: UVA rays pass through car windows, which is why many people have more sun damage on one side of their face. At your desk: sitting by a window all day means hours of UVA exposure. Out and about: a walk to grab coffee, the weekend markets or school pick-up all add up over a week. On cloudy days: clouds don’t stop UVA, so cooler or overcast days can still cause damage. Our summer skin habits 1. Wear SPF every day and reapply. Make a broad-spectrum SPF the last step of your morning routine, rain or shine. Be generous, don’t forget your ears, neck and hands, and reapply every two hours when you’re outside, plus after swimming or sweating. 2. Layer an antioxidant serum underneath. Antioxidants help defend the skin against free radical damage from UV, pollution and heat, giving your SPF a helping hand. 3. Cleanse gently. Heat, sweat and sunscreen can build up through the day, so cleanse every evening. If your skin feels hot, tight or irritated, switch to a gentle, calming cleanser. 4. Hydrate inside and out. Keep a water bottle with you, especially when you’re active outdoors, and give your skin a hydration boost with a hyaluronic acid serum or a sheet mask after a big day in the sun. 5. Slip, slop, slap and wrap. Seek shade in the middle of the day, pop on a wide-brimmed hat and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and the delicate skin around them. Our summer skin edit These are the Ultraceuticals and Thalgo products our therapists reach for when the weather warms up. Protect Ultraceuticals Daily Defence Moisturising Sunscreen SPF 50 Hydrating: an award-winning broad-spectrum sunscreen (Prevention Best of Beauty 2024, Best SPF Moisturiser) that supports hydration and the skin barrier. Lightweight with no white cast, it’s ideal for combination to dry skin. Ultraceuticals Daily Defence Moisturising Sunscreen SPF 50 Mattifying: helps regulate excess oil for a shine-free matte finish, perfect for combination to oily skin on hot days. Ultraceuticals Daily Defence Moisturising Sunscreen SPF 30 Sheer Tint: protection with a subtle, skin-enhancing tint for a fresh, natural finish on make-up free days. Ultraceuticals Ultra Protective Antioxidant Complex: a lightweight serum with milk thistle, vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid that sits seamlessly under your SPF to help defend against free radical damage. Hydrate and refresh Thalgo Hydrating Cooling Gel-Cream: a light, airy gel-cream that feels instantly cooling and keeps skin hydrated all day without any heaviness. A summer favourite. Thalgo Intense Moisture Quenching Serum: a fresh, light serum packed with marine ingredients to quench thirsty skin. Ultraceuticals Ultra B² Hydrating Serum: multi-level hydration to plump and smooth skin that’s feeling the heat. Thalgo Rehydrating Pro Mask or Ultraceuticals Ultra B² Hydrating Mask: an instant hydration hit after a day at the beach. The Thalgo mask works in just five minutes. Cleanse, glow and body Thalgo Velvet Cleansing Milk: gently removes sunscreen, make-up and sweat while leaving even sensitive skin comfortable. Thalgo BB Cream: a weightless, hydrating BB cream that evens and brightens your complexion, ideal for summer days when you want lighter coverage. Wear it over your SPF. Thalgo 24H Hydrating Body Milk: nourishing, soothing hydration for sun-kissed limbs that lasts up to 24 hours. If the sun catches you out Even the most sun-smart among us can get caught out by the New Zealand sun. If you do get a little burnt: Cool it down: apply cool, damp towels to the area for 10 to 15 minutes a few times a day. Soothe and hydrate: use pure aloe vera or a gentle, soothing moisturiser and skip active ingredients such as retinol, AHAs and vitamin C until your skin has settled. Drink plenty of water: sunburn draws fluid to the skin’s surface, so keep your fluids up. Leave it alone: don’t pick at peeling skin or pop blisters, and let your skin heal in its own time. Stay out of the sun: keep the area covered and protected while it recovers. If you feel unwell, dizzy or nauseous, or the burn is blistering badly, see a health professional. Get a head start with our skin therapists Summer is also when pigmentation and sun spots tend to show up. Starting the right homecare now, alongside a course of professional treatments, is the best way to get your skin glowing and protected for the season ahead. Our therapists can recommend a summer routine tailored to your skin type and concerns. Pop into the clinic at 188 Salisbury Street, call us on 03 377 5430, book online or fill in our skin consultation form and we’ll help you get summer-ready.
