My Summer Protection Secrets & Skin Saviours

Recently, Dublin has been experiencing a beautiful heatwave and I could not be happier! I adore the summer season and especially at home, where Dublin really comes to life and everyone is genuinely a happier version of themselves. But with all this hot sun, it’s still very important to stay protected – yes, even in Ireland!

When you go abroad on summer holidays to soak up the sunshine, you know the number one rule is to wear sun protection factor (SPF), and the same applies for at home whether it’s baking hot or even just overcast. The sun’s UV rays get through and Ireland is unfortunately at risk at having the highest number of skin cancer records due to the attitude of us thinking we don’t have to wear it all the time.

Today I want to share with you my summer protection secrets and my summer skin saviours, and how I keep my skin in tip-top shape.

For the über short version, scroll to the bottom to read the list!

My Sun Protection

I always wear SPF on my face, and my go-to choice is PAYOT Sun Sensi Crème Visage Protective Anti-Aging Face Cream SPF 50+* (€30). This little bottle of protection does wonders, is waterproof (to a certain degree) and it’s travel size makes it perfect for flights, handbags etc. It spreads very well so you’ll need less than you think, and is suitable for face and body. Recently, at my brother’s birthday lunch at Opium in their beautiful Botanical Garden, many of the party had not applied SPF and, sitting under the hot sun for a few hours, my PAYOT came out to the rescue to protect us all!

For after sun protection, and especially if you did get sunburnt, I recommend the Ziaja After Sun Soothing Gel with Calcium (€4.49). This bottle of cooling cream will help soothe reddened skin that’s had too much sun, with its aloe vera goodness, and it is an extremely affordable price too. This after sun will go a long way too, and is also suitable for face and body, as well as for younger kids.

Moving on from protection to summer skin saviours, anyone who knows me knows I love my thermal water spray! My favourite is the Uriage Eau Thermale Water Spray 300ml (€14.50), which is a large can of aerated cooling water mist. It is truly wondrous for cooling down at any point, be it on the beach, during or after a flight, or even at your desk in the office. It is also great for rehydrating the skin, and can be used in your hair too. Other sprays I’ve used are the Vichy Thermal Spa Water Spray 150ml (€9.99) and Evian Facial Spray 50ml (€3.99). For best results I do recommend to store them in the fridge, but by all means out of sunlight.

: PAYOT Sun Sensi Crème Visage Protective Anti-Aging Face Cream SPF50+, €30

: Ziaja After Sun Soothing Gel, €4.49

: Uriage Eau Thermale Water Spray 300ml, €14.50

: Vichy Thermal Spa Water Spray 150ml, €9.99

: Evian Brumisateur Facial Spray 50ml, €3.99

My Daily Routine

Keeping my skin hydrated during summer, or any season, is very important to me. In the morning I like to stick to my regime of serum-SPF-moisturiser-primer and sometimes this is all I wear out. I’ve tried many serums and concentrates over the years, and you can read more about My Top 5 here. This summer I’ve been relying on the Kiehl’s Apothecary Preperations Skin-Strengthening Concentrate with Pore Minimizing and Redness Complexes, which is my personalized combination for pore minimizing redness and concerns. I only need 4 drops to spread across and massage into my face and neck, before using the aforementioned PAYOT SPF.

Face creams and moisturisers are aplenty in today’s trendy beauty world. My current favourite is the Juvena of Switzerland Master Care Master Cream (€199), which is a luxurious moisturiser that acts as both a day and night cream, where a tiny bit goes a long way. Its texture feels as rich as the finish, leaving my skin satin soft. Other creams I have used and can recommend include Uriage Eau Thermale Light Water Cream (€23), Clarins Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream SPF15 (€45), YSL Beauty Instant Moisture Glow (€43.50), and Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream (€29). I do want to stress that you only need a pea-sized amount of moisturiser when applying, and to use the right kind for your skin type.

: Kiehls Apothecary Preparations Products

: Juvena of Switzerland Master Care Master Cream, €199

: Uriage Eau Thermale Light Water Cream, €23

: Clarins Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream SPF Normal to Dry Skin, €45

: YSL Top Secrets Instant Moisture Glow, €43.50

: Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream, €29

My next step is to apply the Clarins SOS Face Primer in Green (€31), which helps diminish redness and I only apply this on my cheeks and nose, then follow up with the Kiehl’s Glow Formula Skin Hydrator (€35). The latter adds a gorgeous glow, and often this is my last step of the day sans makeup. Another primer I love and alternate with is the YSL Touche Éclat Beauty Blur Primer (€39.50), Sara Hill Luxury Makeup Primer(£28) and Urban Decay B6 Face Primer Spray (€31).

: Clarins SOS Primer Green, €31

: Kiehl’s Glow Formula Skin Hydrator, €35

: YSL Touche Éclat Blur Primer, €39.50

: Sara Hill Makeup Luxury Face Primer, £28

: Urban Decay B6 Complexion Face Primer Spray, €31

To finish my makeup routine I use the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray (€31), while the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Fixing Mist (€11.99) is a more affordable alternative, and the YSL Beauty Top Secrets Makeup Setting Spray (€35) is a luxurious treat.

: Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray, €31

: YSL Beauty Top Secrets Makeup Setting Spray, €11.99

: YSL Beauty Top Secrets Makeup Setting Spray, €35

So what do I take my makeup off with? I pretty much only use the Makeup Eraser Mitt (€12) with warm water, then remove excess residue with the Vichy Purete Thermale 3 in 1 One Step Cleanser (€14.99). This latter product has a built-in cleansing milk, toner and eye makeup remover.

Before bed I like to ensure hydration for the next day. Face masks work miracles, and the Uriage Water Sleeping Mask 50ml (€19) is quite the miracle worker that does its magic overnight. A swipe of the Clarins Hydra-Essentiel Moisturizing Reviving Eye Mask (€33) and YSL Beauty Volupte Liquid Colour Balm Night Rehab Lip Mask (€34) and it’s off to sleep I go!