Summer is the time for fun, sun and relaxation. But it can also be a time of discomfort and anxiety for those who are conscious of their appearance. The summer heat can cause sweat, which often leads to unpleasant odours. It can also cause skin irritation and dryness. To avoid these problems, this article will give you tips on what beauty products for summer to use so that you always look great no matter the weather conditions or location.

After the Rain Shea Butter – £25.00

If like me you are fed up with all the humidity we’ve been experiencing and just love that feeling in the air after it’s rained, then After the Rain Shea body butter from Arran Sense of Scotland is for you. The scent of lime, rose and sandalwood will transport your senses to a beautiful summer garden after a refreshing rain shower.

The luxurious moisturising butter is formulated with Scottish sea kelp to help nourish and hydrate your dry skin. It also has extracts of lichen, peat moss and fern to create unique rejuvenating and moisture boosting properties. Three years in development to get it just right, After the Rain provides lasting hydration, helping to soften and comfort the skin without leaving a greasy film.

Features & Benefits:

• Intensely hydrating formula for dry skin 
• Large concentration of Shea butter (20%) 
• Rich in vitamins, antioxidants and minerals 
• Scottish kelp extract 
• Fast and easy absorption 
• No greasiness or tackiness 
• Suitable for all skin types

Available here: After the Rain Shea Butter 100ml – £25.00

Conditioning Spray with Organic Oblepikha Hydrolate – £7.50

This nourishing and repairing conditioning spray is much loved by beauty and make-up artists and it’s easy to see why! The Conditioning spray gives your hair protection against the sun as well as helping to keep it in great condition.

Marigold, wild mint and wood sorrow revitalise your scalp and nourish hair roots, while vitamins and amino acids nourish and repair hair. Sea-buckthorn oil, Moroccan argan oil and oil of white Siberian flaxseed help produce keratin, which leaves hair strong and shiny. And, it’s certified vegan and cruelty-free!

I’ve been using this all summer and it’s a firm favourite!

Available here: Oblepikha Hydrolate Conditioning Spray 125ml – £7.50

Lash Serum

Having beautiful, healthy lashes will make all the difference to your confidence in the summer. If you want to take your lashes from lacklustre to lush, this lash serum is for you! Your lashes will look thicker and fuller after just four weeks.

Efamol Evening Primrose Oil

In the summer months, the humidity and heat can dry out our skin, making it feel dry and dull. But did you know Evening Primrose Oil can help with that?

I’ve been using the Efamol Evening Primrose Oil this summer as it is unique. The oil used is carefully extracted from a specially cultivated Rigel Evening Primrose, the seeds of which contain up to 33% more GLA. Efamol carefully manages each step of the oil extraction process to ensure that the oil stays in the same form as in the seed, thus retaining its natural properties. Taking this supplement each day has left me with beautifully nourished and smoother-looking skin, taking my summer confidence levels up a notch! Plus the bottle is made from recyclable glass.

 Available here: Efamol Evening Primrose Oil from £9.99

Dr Barbara Sturm Anti-Aging Body Cream from Skin Station

This is a real treat for anyone worried about ageing skin. I use it on my neck and decolletage area as these are the areas where I have the most visible signs of ageing. But does it work and how?

Dr. Barbara Sturm Anti-Aging Body Cream offers long-lasting hydration, which helps to restore the skin’s elasticity to avoid and reduce the visible signs of ageing. Studies suggest that hydrated skin has visibly reduced the appearance of ageing such as wrinkles and fine lines. As such if you keep your skin hydrated the skin will appear more smooth, supple, and youthful.

The key ingredients include Grape Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Purslane, Glycerin, Indian Almond, Cuckoo Flower Oil, Olive Oil, Vitamin E Acetate, Pro-Vitamin B5, Radish Ferment, Lactic Acid, Vitamin C, Glacier Water.

The cream is lightweight and absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving my skin feeling hydrated, softer and smoother.

Available from Skin Station Dr Barbara Sturm Anti-Aging Body Cream 200ml £80

Slow Ageing Essential Face & Body Exfoliating Polish

I’ve featured some lovely moisturisers but the trick to effective hydration and smooth skin is to exfoliate. Slow Ageing’s Essential Face & Body Exfoliating Polish is an absolute powerhouse face and body skin smoother. The results are amazing – you will beneifit from visibly improved texture, radiance and vitality.

The plant butter-infused buffer has nourishing coconut oil, reinvigorating ginger, pomegranate and orange to banish rough or dry patches while boosting microcirculation for brighter, more even tone to your both your face and body. Naturally stimulating citrus essential oils leave a lingering uplifting scent on your skin. It’s a real treat and an essential IMHO for summer when you have more skin on display than normal!

Slow Ageing’s Essential Face & Body Exfoliating Polish costs £55 from Slow Ageing.

SkinGenius ‘All’s Well That Gels Well’ Purifying Gel 

SkinGenius ‘All’s Well That Gels Well’ Purifying Gel lotion which cools and calms the skin, tightens the pores and kills the bacteria that cause spots and pimples. It’s also a fantastic primer to use under sun cream and works a treat to stop make-up ‘sliding’ in the heat!

Designed to be left on the skin to work its magic, the Purifying Gel helps to lessen the chance of spots and blocked pores arising from using sun cream.  After cleansing, gently massage in one pump of the lotion onto your face or affected area.  Let the gel settle onto the skin before applying your sun cream.  The astringent effect of the Witch Hazel will reduce oil production and tighten pores against the sun cream. The anti-microbial Calendula and anti-bacterial Oregon Grape will keep any spot-forming bacteria at bay.

• This is 100% natural, organic and vegan
• It includes ingredients that work WITH the skin, not against it
• It will not just treat the problem – it will help prevent it from recurring.

The SkinGenius Purifying Gel costs £17.50 for 30ml from www.skin-genius.co.uk

Weleda Cooling Gel

With temperatures having hit a sweltering 30°C this summer and still further hot weather predicted, we need quick and easy ways to tackle the heat.  Weleda Arnica’s Cooling Gel is the perfect solution. This natural, non-sticky gel instantly cools and relieves skin. 

It’s small enough to pop in your handbag and so simple to use. Just massage into skin whenever you’re feeling a bit hot and agitated. The addition of arnica also helps soothe aching muscle and helps lift the feeling of tiredness. It’s the perfect companion to the wonderful range from Weleda to make you feel AMAZING this summer.

• Light, cooling, non sticky gel made with arnica extracts
• Helps stimulate blood flow
• Cooling sensation refreshes overworked and tired muscles 

Weleda Arnica Cooling Gel, £8.25, available from Holland&Barrett and www.weleda.co.uk 

AKT The Deodorant Balm (Orange Grove)

Is there anything worse than feeling sweaty and uncomfortable, and being paranoid that you smell? That’s the thing I hate most about summer! Having a relaible and effective deodorant is essential to summer happiness. That’s why I love AKT The Deodorant Balm. Simply put, it’s the best natural deodorant out there (IMHO)! It smells incredible and the enriched blend of premium, fragrant botanicals and Deo-Barrier Complex™ keep you feeling dry and confident all day long. Here’s why I love it:

• Vegan, cruelty free and aluminium salt free
• Mess free with a moisturising formula that absorbs instantly.
• 100% plastic free and recyclable. 
• Feet, forehead, chest – use anywhere you need effective, all day protection.
• No stains. Love your garments for longer
• One tube lasts 6 weeks, on average.

AKT The Deodorant Balm is from £16.50 (on subscription) from AKT London

Viviscal Hair Growth Programme

Viviscal healthy hair supplements are scientifically formulated with biotin and zinc to help maintain healthy hair from within. It includes AminoMar C™, a rich marine protein complex, which is the key active ingredient in Viviscal. Protein is required for the growth and repair of hair cells. So if you’re worried about having thinning lack lustre hair in the summer, try these maximum strength hair growth supplements.

Viviscal Hair Growth Programme, £25.99 from Viviscal

Exfoliating Soap Sponge

If you’ve not heard of these exfoliating soap sponges by Village Melt, you are missing out. They are genius and I am a big fan! They cleanse and exfoliate in one, smell amazing and last for ages. At the bargain price of just £5.49 thwey are also perfect for removing fake tan.

Exfoliating Soap Sponge, £5.49 Village Melt

Evolve Monoi Rescue Shampoo and Conditioner

During the summer months my hair gets dry and dull, especially as I’m often swimming in the pool or seaside. The Evolve Monoi shampoos and conditioner are great for this. They helps to reduce frizz, whilst adding brilliance and shine for healthier hair. 

The Shampoo contains Karkade Flower Acid to improve the hair’s silkiness and scalp condition by gently exfoliating the scalp and flattening the hair cuticles. Alongside this, Quinoa proteins hugely boost the hair’s hydration and protects against environmental stressors while locking in moisture. 

The conditioner is a super nourishing all natural conditioner to improve the condition and manageability of dry, damaged and coloured hair. The rich formulation coats each strand, working hard to smooth and repair any damage.

Available from Evolve from £11.90

Dock & Bay Quick Dry Hair Wrap

Also on the fight to beat frizz is the Dock & Bay quick dry hair wrap. Perfect for use by the pool or in the hot tub, the hair wrap has a quick dry material, meaning less time needed to blow dry. The material also allows for less friction for smoother hair. It’s easy to use, simply cover your wet hair and TWIST the wrap then SECURE into place with the elastic.

Dock & Bay Quick Dry Hair Wrap £14

British Summertime SPF 30

The pai skincare SPF 30  is non-greasy, non-nano Zinc Oxide sunscreen for sensitive skin that protects against UVA + UVB and sits comfortably under makeup. Perfect for staying safe and protected from the sun on those hot summer days.

British Summertime SPF 30, £39

Last but not least, white teeth for your summer smile!

If you want to keep your teeth nice and clean then invest in a good toothpaste! I love the Arm & Hammer toothpastes that leave your teeth feeling fresh, clean and brighter.