The 10 key skincare ingredients your face needs this summer

Credit: Deagreez CHOOSING the right skincare can be a conundrum – especially with the huge variety of products packing the shelves. And experts say that we need to change up our routine depending on the season, which can make getting it right even trickier. I can be tricky to choose what’s best for your skin Credit: PeopleImages Georgina is an expert in the field But skincare expert Georgina Tang says there are some key ingredients we should all be looking out for, making it easier to stock up on the staples. In the summer, the air is warmer and more humid, often meaning that our skin can become both oily and sweaty. Sign up for the Fabulous newsletter Thank you! Add in trips to the beach or pool where your body is battered by the sun, sea salt and chlorine, as well as SPF on top of all that can make skin feel overloaded and sticky, but also parched and dry. Georgina, the founder, CEO and formulator of multi-award-winning skin and haircare company, YNNY, knows what we all need to ensure our skinis nourished and protected all summer long. Here’s her guide to the ingredients that will leave you feeling glowing and confident: ALOE VERA If you want to soothe anything from sunburn to razor burn, aloe vera is a must-have. Lightweight, oil-free and highly hydrating, it’s sometimes called the “burn plant” for its ability to reduce redness and swelling. Georgina says: “You can also use it in your daily routine as it helps balance excess sebum and delivers vital vitamins to the skin. Gentle exfoliating properties means that it also promotes a glowing complexion. Most read in Fabulous “Usually available as a gel or in a spritz of aloe vera juice, apply it all over your skin after sunbathing to help reduce heat and swelling – or over skin after a wax – for an extra cooling boost, store it in the fridge.” HYALURONIC ACID You may have noticed your skin feels both oily and dehydrated in the summer, thanks to the heat and humidity. The expert suggests: “Try swapping out your usual face cream for one containing hyaluronic acid, which holds moisture in the skin’s cells without leaving a layer of product on the surfaces. “Make sure you’re opting for products containing high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMWHA), which has anti-inflammatory and skin protection properties, and won’t increase sun sensitivity. “The other variety, low molecular weight (LMWHA) works slightly differently, penetrating into the deeper layers of the skin, potentially causing irritation.” NIACINAMIDE (VITAMIN B3) Some of the most talked-about beauty ingredients are popular for a reason – niacinamide (vitamin B3) is one of them. “Niacinamide helps repair skin that’s been exposed to the sun, helps balance oil production and even fades dark spots,” says Georgina. “It also helps strengthen the skin barrier and soothes heat-induced irritation.” SHEA BUTTER Whether the skin on our body is dry from swimming in chlorinated pools or from waxing and shaving, a rich body moisturiser is essential for maintaining that all-over glow. Aloe vera is a key ingredient for summer Credit: Getty Images And anti-inflammatory, nourishing and soothing, it’s the perfect product to smooth over parched summer skin after a day outside. “Shea butter is one of my favourites for softening and protecting skin, and can help soothe flare-ups from eczema and psoriasis,” Georgina says. “I source our organic shea butter, which is extracted from the nuts of the shea tree, from Ghana. It’s rich in fatty acids, vitamins A and E, which defend the skin from free radicals, it’s very nourishing for skin. “Allergic reactions are very rare, which is why it works so well for sensitive skin.” VITAMIN C A key part of anyone’s beauty cabinet should be a cream or serum containing vitamin C. A powerful antioxidant that neutralises free radicals from UV light and pollution, vitamin C can help protect the skin from premature ageing. Georgina adds: “It also stimulates collagen production, which enhances firmness, and it brightens skin and fades pigmentation by inhibiting melanin production. “It’s especially important to use in the summer to help protect skin against sun damage. Apply in the morning after cleansing and finish your routine with an SPF.” RETINOL Many women in their 30s and older now use retinol, a form of vitamin A, to prevent the signs of ageing. A potent anti-ageing ingredient, it reduces fine lines and uneven skin tone by boosting collagen production and increasing cell turnover. “There is a lot of debate about whether to use retinol during the summer, as it increases the skin’s sensitivity to the sun’s harmful rays,” Georgina says. “However, if you apply it as part of your evening skincare routine, and you use an SPF over 30 during the day, your skin will be protected.” SUGAR SCRUB For glowing, smooth-looking skin, with no trace of dry, flaky winter skin, a sugar scrub will work wonders – it’s also a must-use if you’re exfoliating ahead of a fake tan session. Georgina explains: “A sugar scrub provides tiny granules that are large enough to do the exfoliating without irritating or damaging the skin. Sugar is also a natural humectant and pulls moisture into the skin, while buffing it. “It’s also a natural source of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), and by clearing away dead, dull skin cells, it helps your creams to penetrate deeper and work more effectively.” ROSE WATER Fragrant and cooling, a spritz of rose water can help even the sweatiest person feel fresh again. “Rose floral water is a fantastic ingredient to use on your face during the summer months as it’s a natural toner that hydrates without clogging pores,” says Georgina. “It helps to balance oil and could reduce redness, instantly soothes skin exposed to the sun. Some people say it helps soothe their eczema and rosacea too.” ZINC OXIDE People with sensitive skin may find a mineral sunscreen, which provides a physical block against the sun’s harmful rays, is less likely to irritate than chemical sunscreen, which absorbs UVB and UVA rays. The expert says: “If you’re a fan of mineral SPF, look out for products containing zinc oxide and that not only provides a barrier against UVB and UVA rays, but helps soothe and heal skin and prevent heat rash and sweat irritation.” VITAMIN E Another important weapon against environmental and sun damage in the summer months is vitamin E. Also known as tocopherol, vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects skin, moisturises and supports the skin barrier. Georgina explains: “It can help neutralise free radicals from UV rays and pollution and reduces inflammation to help maintain a healthy, youthful complexion. “Although your skin will benefit from vitamin E year-round, at this time of year it helps to repair any damage that’s occurred from sun exposure, which is why it’s often added to after-sun.” Comment now