The best skincare for warm weather

As the go-to facialist for the likes of Jessica Alba, Emily Ratajkowski and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Shani Darden knows good skin. Now, with the mercury rising, Darden reveals how a few simple arsenal updates can get our skin summer-ready.

“Make sure you’re using products, such as a gentle cleanser, that aren’t stripping the skin,” advises Darden. Warmer weather often leads to more oil production, so using a hard-working cleanser is key for removing impurities and deep-cleaning pores. If you’re a double-cleansing advocate, use a micellar water as your first cleanse to melt away makeup. For your second, swap rich, balm cleansers for gel or light-cream cleansers to keep skin clean and clear.

Although we may not like the feeling of heavy skincare in warmer weather, our skin still needs to have certain ingredients to function at its best. Serums are the best vehicle to get essential vitamins and nutrients into the skin with ease. Alongside a powerful vitamin C or antioxidant-rich formula, Darden also recommends a deeply hydrating serum containing hyaluronic acid. “This will help to deeply hydrate and plump up the skin, while attracting and retaining moisture.”

“Skin always needs hydration, but it’s about finding the right moisturizer for your skin type,” says Darden. Texture is key, and the new generation of lightweight moisturizers are packed with hydration heroes, such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin to moisturize without becoming heavy. “Due to the temperature and humidity, you may feel like your skin is oiler than usual in the summer, so switching to a lightweight formula will help to hydrate the skin without causing any congestion.”

Keeping your facial mists and tools in the fridge helps to rejuvenate tired, hot skin in minutes. Cryotherapy (or face icing) is the art of using low temperatures to improve blood circulation, and de-puff and tighten the skin – but it also helps to cool the face down before applying skincare or makeup. Angela Caglia wands are designed to follow the contours of the face, while providing immediate relief. Alternatively, you can opt for a jade massage tool for a natural cooling effect.