Even though summer is a great time to relax and enjoy lazy days at the pool or the beach, your skin needs to be looked after very carefully. Your skin changes with the seasons and throughout the year so what was working for you a few weeks ago may no longer be effective. It’s the time to switch products and change your make up to ensure you always look and feel great!

The first step to beautiful summer skin always begins with cleansing. A foaming gel cleanser such as Bioelements Decongestant Cleanser is fabulous for getting rid of pore clogging sebum. It is best to follow up with a toner such as Equalizer to balance the skin and keep it hydrated. Using Measured Micrograins several times a week is a great way to gently exfoliate the dead skin cells away and turn over fresh new skin. Finally we recommend a water based gel moisturizer also by Bioelements called Beyond Hydration. It tricks your skin into thinking it has plenty of moisture so it won’t overproduce oil. It can even be custom blended with super powerful ingredients to prevent clogged pores, add vitamins and minerals and an oil blotting powder to control shine on those super hot and humid days.

By now everyone knows to wear sunscreen. But do you remember to reapply it? Sunscreen is only effective when it is used correctly. It needs to be put on your skin 30 minutes prior to going outdoors. If it is a #15 that means you are protected 15 times your normal exposure without burning. If you would get pink after 20 minutes in the sun, the sunscreen would have to be reapplied every 5 hours or after getting wet or profusely perspiring. The higher the number, the better the protection. Don’t forget that you need as much as 1 shot glass of sunscreen to cover your body and also, that it does expire. Sunscreen should be purchased at the beginning of every summer. It does not last more than a year so the 3 half used bottles in your pool bag from last summer and the summer before need to be tossed! For extra protection, why not add cute summer accessories to your beach attire like big sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat?

Mineral makeup has been a really big help in keeping faces shine free and the pores unclogged. It is a foundation, powder, concealer and sunscreen all in one! You can choose between a pressed powder or a loose one and we will color match you for free. Add a little bronzing powder and a lip-gloss and you will look chic anywhere you go.

The biggest tip of all is to drink plenty of water. The heat of the sun will dehydrate your skin and expose all of your lines and wrinkles in no time flat. Keeping your body hydrated will keep your skin supple and plumped making those unsightly imperfections a lot less noticeable. Always keep a bottle of water with you and drink before you are thirsty. If you wait until you’re thirsty, you are already dehydrated!

Salon Michel and Spa, a full service salon supplied this article.