The sun is shining and it’s likely many of us are out and about enjoying this fine weather. While we advocate applying SPF all throughout the year, it’s so important during the Summer months when we are spending more time outdoors. We need to apply sunscreen more liberally and more frequently during the Summer months as more of our skin is exposed during hot and sunny weather and it’s imperative that we do all we can to protect it.
Sunscreen does what we need it to when applied, protect our skin from harmful UV rays that can cause sunburn, and the premature ageing of the skin. But, at the end of the day, our focus should be on thoroughly removing it. Why? Because leaving sunscreen on our skin overnight can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Here, we break down how you can ensure that you’re removing your sunscreen thoroughly and how to hydrate and nourish your skin after a day in the sun.
THE KEY STEPS TO REMOVE SPF
If you’re using SPF correctly, especially on a day when you’re in the sun frequently, you will be applying and reapplying it. Plus, let’s face it, on a particularly hot day, there’s likely to be some sweat mixed in there too. These layers of sunscreen, plus considerable time outdoors leads to a build-up of product, dirt, and dead skin cells over time. So, simply washing with soap and water probably isn’t going to cut it.
FACE FIRST
To effectively remove your SPF and other surface level impurities from your face, we recommend double cleansing your skin. Most sunscreens are typically oil-based; therefore, we recommend using a cleansing oil for your first cleanse. Cleansing oils are gentle and don’t strip the skin, they work by binding to the excess oil already present on the skin to gently remove this and other impurities that are present.
Once you have done your first cleanse, you can use a gentle face cleanser for your second cleanse. We recommend incorporating the second cleanse to ensure your skin is thoroughly clean and all impurities have been lifted. Follow up with a refreshing spritz of your favourite toner and your serum and moisturiser.
VOYA PRODUCT PICKS
1. FIRST CLEANSE – TOTALLY BALMY | FACIAL CLEANSING BALM
VOYA’s luxurious cleansing balm is formulated to clear away all traces of make-up and remove the everyday impurities and pollutants that can build up and damage the skin. Made with unique algae extracts sourced from the Atlantic coast of Ireland, nourishing Ylang Ylang, Bergamot and Sweet Almond Rose oils this balm is designed to promote a thorough and delicate cleansing action.
2. SECOND CLEANSE – CAST AWAY | CLEANSING FACIAL WASH
A non-irritating and versatile cleansing facial wash that gently lathers away impurities whilst enhancing the skin’s natural balance. Combining the restorative and therapeutic properties of wild Irish seaweed with carefully selected natural active ingredients, our certified organic cleanser works to deeply cleanse and hydrate, leaving your skin feeling clean, soft, and ocean fresh!
BODY CLEANSE
Sunscreen creams and mists really bind to the skin to ensure our skin is protected when we are out and about, many are waterproof to ensure we are equally protected if we are working out, or in and out of the pool or sea. Therefore, like the SPF on our face they can be difficult to remove.
We recommend combining your body wash with a gentle body scrub and a muslin cloth to breakdown stubborn sunscreen. A gentle body scrub can help slough away sunscreen while exfoliating your skin at the same time. A bit like the double cleanse concept above, follow up with your favourite body wash to ensure you’re thoroughly removing every last bit of SPF. If you haven’t a body scrub to hand, using a muslin cloth with your favourite body wash to gently lift the sunscreen from your skin is also an effective way to remove it.
Once you’re happy your skin has been completely cleansed, make sure you protect your skin. Skin that has been exposed to heat and the elements throughout the day needs some extra TLC, lock in moisture using a hydrating body oil or body moisturiser.
VOYA PRODUCT PICKS
ANGELCIUS SERRATUS | NOURISHING BODY OIL
The world’s first seaweed-based luxury body oil formulated with VOYA’s signature notes of lime and mandarin. This super-hydrating body oil is enhanced with antioxidant Rosehip that slows the signs of ageing and Evening Primrose, which helps improve skin elasticity. Easily absorbed, skin feels firmer while maintaining suppleness all day long.
SOFTLY DOES IT | HYDRATING BODY LOTION
VOYA’s distinctly fragrant nourishing seaweed-based body lotion with notes of Citrus and the Sea. Formulated with hand-harvested organic Irish seaweed, anti-ageing prickly pear oil, super softening plum oil and poppy seed to intensely soothe and hydrate, improving skin suppleness and elasticity.
That’s it, some simple tips to really rid your skin of sunscreen at the end of the day and how to infuse it with hydration to nourish and protect it. Enjoy this fine weather, we don’t get it too often. But, always remember to be sun safe.