Ask Dr. Lens: Summer Hydration

The arrival of warmer temperatures and all that comes with summer means our skin has different needs and in particular, hydration. Keeping skin refreshed, moisturised and protected from the sun are all high priorities when it comes to our summer skincare routine.

The summer brings different skincare challenges, including exposure to the sun, air conditioning and swimming in the pool which can all contribute to drying skin and water loss. Leading to dehydrated skin and a compromised skin barrier. So it’s important to maintain optimal moisture levels for healthy skin.

We also want to incorporate light layers in our routine and fast-absorbing formulas, so we caught up with Dr. Lens to discover which key ingredients and products he recommends adding to your routine during the summer months.

Q. How should people change their skincare routines in summer?
DR. LENS: “During the summer the weather is often really warm and also humid, therefore the skin needs to be refreshed and moisturised. I would recommend during summer periods to use very light products that will not upset the skin or be too heavy, but at the same time, give you the essential moisture that the skin needs, and leaving it feeling refreshed and cool.”

Q. What ingredients should people be using in the heat?
DR. LENS: “When it’s particularly hot outside, I would recommend that you look first of all for Hyaluronic Acid as it’s a great ingredient, and to look at different extracts; water based extracts of plants can give this refreshing and toning effect that we all need during the summer period”.

Q. What products would you recommend for keeping skin hydrated and healthy?
DR. LENS: “My favourite products during the summer to refresh the skin and retain moisture, would be Hyaluron Intense and Microbiota P3 Balancing Mist. Hyaluron Intense contains three different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid and also one encapsulated hyaluronic acid, in niosomes - very tiny little structures that allow a delivery of hyaluronic acid to the skin. And why Microbiota P3? We say P3 because it has prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics. It’s a wonderful mist that gives moisture to the skin and refreshes, but most importantly it helps rebalance the skin microflora. During the summer period, the balance of our skin microflora can be seriously disrupted.”

Q. Can you recommend a summer friendly hydrating skincare routine?

DR. LENS: “If you’re travelling and going away you might need a regime to take with you. My recommendation would be to start with Glacier Foam, to effectively cleanse your skin - it has a really lovely toning effect. After that, use Hyaluron Intense, which will give good moisture to the skin and a nice plumping effect. Alternatively, instead of Hyaluron Intense, if you are more concerned about clearing and energising the skin, then you might use Power B.

The next step would be a moisturiser. During summer I would recommend Emulsion D, which is our fortifying moisturiser - it contains vitamin D alongside other replenishing ingredients that give moisture and repair the skin barrier. We know that during the summer we are all exposed to different environmental factors, particularly the sun, which is highly damaging to the barrier, and therefore the repair of the barrier is a must.

Or try Acqua Shiso. This is our new gel-cream formula- a light, yet intensely hydrating moisturiser which gives skin a beautifully dewy, plumped look. It truly feels like a burst of water for thirsty skin, while also having antioxidant benefits. ”