Summer’s here but that brings with it different demands: hot weather can cause discomfort and irritability; biting insects attracted to exposed skin cause misery, and extremes of temperature from dry, sunny exteriors to air-conditioned interiors cause havoc with our skin. So here are a few of my favourite Neal’s Yard Remedies products to help soothe Summer stresses.
Beat the Heat
As temperatures rise, tempers can flare as the heat causes irritability from poor sleep and general discomfort. A cooling Facial Mist can help! Choose from White Tea Facial Mist or Frankincense Facial Mist which will not only give you a cooling sensation but will also boost skin hydration whilst the beautiful aromas cool fractious feelings.
Top Tip: Keep your bottle in the fridge for instant relief!
White Tea Facial Mist is rich in antioxidants to help combat the effects of environmental pollutants. With cooling aloe vera and fragranced with bergamot, geranium, lavender and chamomile known for their calming properties on the skin and emotions and with citronella, an effective insect repellent, this is my Summer must-have product!
Frankincense Facial Mist also contains cooling aloe vera along with gotu kola and calendula, known for their skin-soothing properties making this a great choice if the heat causes redness and irritation. Fragranced with rejuvenating frankincense, bitter orange and grounding patchouli, this is a great choice if you’re looking for something less floral in scent.
Pest Protection
My least favourite aspect of Summer is the increase in biting insects! An essential in our house is the Citronella Formula. Spray liberally on exposed skin and keep midges, mosquitoes and more at bay!
Did you know the Organic Defence essential oil blend (including Lemongrass and Niaouli) also works well as an insect repellent? This is used in the Defend & Protect Products so not only can you protect yourself and your family from bacterial bugs but also those of the insect variety!
Sun Protection
Protecting skin from sun damage is so important and never more so than in the hot summer months. The Wild Rose SPF 30 Moisturiser is a great way to keep the more delicate skin on your face protected. This offers a 100% mineral filter against UVA and UVB damage and as it’s a handy 50ml sized tube, it’s easy to keep in your handbag or beach bag for regular reapplication to prevent burning.
Top Tip: Use the Wild Rose Facial Oil first to make application of the SPF product easier and to add extra nourishment to your skincare routine.
Dry Skin Relief
Neal’s Yard Remedies offers so many products for replenishing lost moisture to face and body so do explore the options online to find the one that best suits your needs or get in touch for some advice. However, my personal recommendation is Calendula & Oat Lotion, which is lightweight and easy to apply but also highly effective in restoring lost moisture and soothing to irritated skin, whether due to the sun, prickly heat or conditions such as eczema.
Another great option would be the Wild Rose Body Lotion containing antioxidant-rich rosehip seed oil and sweet almond oil to replenish and soften dry skin.
The Ultimate Travel Companion
Whenever I travel, whether it’s a foreign holiday or a weekend away in the UK, I never leave home without a pot of Wild Rose Beauty Balm. This really is a one-stop shop for pretty much all your skincare needs so it’s also ideal when you need to travel light, camping or festival visits and so on!
It can be used as:
- a cleansing balm – simply apply then remove with a damp muslin cloth. As an oil-based cleanser it will effectively remove make-up, festival glitter or face paint too!
- a nourishing mask – apply a generous amount and keep your skin nourished on a long-haul flight or use overnight to replenish the skin after a day in the sun. Remove any residue with a warm muslin cloth.
- a moisturiser – a thin layer applied after cleansing will keep your skin feeling soft and nourished throughout the day. It also works well as a base underneath the Wild Rose SPF 30 Moisturiser.
- an anti-chafe barrier – simply apply a generous amount to areas prone to chafing to reduce friction and irritation
- a lip balm to nourish and protect from dryness and cracking
- a nail balm – just apply a small amount to cuticles and massage into the nails to prevent dryness and splitting
- a split-end saviour – apply a small amount to the ends of your hair to help fight against damage from sun, sea, chlorine, styling etc. I do this to use up the residue from moisturising, rubbing the excess through the ends of my hair.
- a soothing aftersun – the antioxidant-rich rosehip oil and other nourishing ingredients will replenish the skin and help soothe if redness occurs
- a natural perfume – the beautiful fragrance of frankincense, geranium, patchouli, rosemary and palmarosa is so lovely you won’t need perfume as well
- cracked heel helper – massage a generous amount into your feet at night to help prevent and repair dried, cracked skin. (Please do not apply to open skin wounds!)
Other Summer Solutions
- Organic Travel Kit – a selection of travel-sized essentials, including Wild Rose Beauty Balm
- Mother & Baby Travel Kit – this also makes a great gift for a new mum!
Want to Try Before You Buy?
Contact me to book a Skincare Consultation appointment and we can discuss your individual needs and you can sample many of the products to help you decide which to purchase.
Or host a Summer Essentials Pamper Party for yourself and some friends and I’ll bring a selection of products to use in a pampering summertime ritual. Contact me for availability.
For further Summer support, read my blog on Summer Aromatherapy.
I hope you’ve found these suggestions useful – please leave me a comment if you try any of my suggestions and let me know your thoughts!
Wishing you a very happy Summer, however you are spending it.
