When summer throws a myriad of temperatures and weather conditions at you, it’s most definitely a challenge to nail the right skincare routine to keep your skin hydrated, refreshed and looking in tip top condition. This summer saw The Stylish Stuff undertake operation #tried&tested – it really was a case of working out what worked and what didn’t. Here’s our ten lust haves that ensure succulent skin whatever the weather…

 

First up – Elemental Herbology. New to the bathroom shelf, this brand boasts a flawless natural beauty pedigree. The Cell Nourish (£46) is a creamy serum that helps to boost your skin’s natural radiance and vitality – expect rosier cheeks, less visible pores and a glow that lasts all day. It’s easy to apply and is literally bursting with anti-oxidants, proteins and vitamins. This is a great in-flight go-to as it restores dull, tired skin that’s endured excess air conditioning. I wore it underneath the Cell Plumping moisturiser (£46) which again injects a healthy cocktail of vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and ‘Aquarich’ (a 24 hour moisturising complex) into your skin. Great for mature skin, dry skin or just skin needing a shot of lasting hydration, it’s luxurious to use and a little goes a long way.

 

This has definitely been the summer of chic black bottled beauties – whether it’s a hip new trend in packaging or simply a synergy in the natural beauty industry, I’m loving my bathroom shelf of stylish bottles en noir.

‘Pure, potent and precise’ de Mamiel products are hand crafted, organic blends that are individually created to capture the properties of plants. Founder Annee de Mamiel believes that ‘everything you touch or that touches you matters’ and this reflects in the craft and care in her artisanal products. Atmosphériques Pure Calm Cleansing Dew (£50) is a gently hydrating cleansing oil that purifies your skin. Blended with 14 organic herbs, essential fatty acids, phytosterols and gamma oryzanol, it lifts away everyday grime that can damage and inflame and leaves your skin feeling soft and revitalised. Using the product is a ritual in itself – gorgeous aromatic oils that require gentle massaging into the skin do effectively calm and slow you right down, you literally stop to breathe in the goodness. Botanics Revitalising Body Serum (£55) is packed full of powerful plant oils and botanical extracts blended to deeply moisturise dehydrated skin. It brings a glow to dull limbs and the citrus-floral-woody scent makes for the perfect summer evening fragrance. 

 

A part of my skincare routine for quite some time now, Skyn Iceland products really do deliver no fuss skincare that works. The Arctic Face Oil (£30), new to my regime, is a powerful little shot of instant, lasting hydration. Why? The oil is naturally sourced, cold pressed and 99% from the Camelina Sativa plant – this little plant thrives in sub zero conditions and has a unique composition of 9 essential fatty acids which enable it to survive in the harsh weather conditions, the richness in omega oil makes it super restorative, curative and rejeuvenating to skin. It protects, calms and is anti-inflammatory making it ideal for sensitive skin, dry skin, mature skin and generally skin crying out for a little tlc. I found that after time my own looked softer and yes, more youthful. 

 

Whilst we’re on the subject of oils –  here’s another one that deserves permanent residence in your bathroom cabinet. Unpretentious, effective (affordable) and almost magical in how it transform a lacklustre complexion into a more youthful, glowing one. Natural Spa Factory create a small but perfectly formed collection of products that are gender neutral, natural and cruelty free. Lifeline – 100% organic baobab oil for healthy ageing (£13.95) is, exactly what it says on the tin, a ‘lifeline’ for dehydrated and maturing skin. The oil itself is extracted from the seeds of the monkey bread tree – aka the Baobab tree which stores water in its trunk and is able to withstand drought for years – high in omegas three, six and nine plus vitamins A, D & E it helps fade scars and blemishes, it’s anti-inflammatory, soothing and it’s also a whizz at protecting your hair from environmental damage. Win win.

 

Ever wondered about the effect of long days spent in front of a computer, on your phone or air travel and the harm they can do to your skin? Me neither, well flying yes, but I’d never considered the negative effects of sitting in front of a computer screen until Amly’s Digital Detox Silver Rich Facial Mist (£42) landed on my desk. Another slick black bottle, subtle aromatic formulation and a little wonder of a spray that’s lasted all summer – it’s been on and off a fair few flights and been spritzed every morning and every evening and still going! Containing silver rich spring water originating from a wild-flower meadow in Amly, this wake up water calms, clarifies, protects and re-energises your skin. The Amly website alone is enough to soothe stresses away – with a delicious account of the discovery of the spring, to the process by which the products are made – it’s well worth a visit. Never underestimate the power of facial mists, most good make up artists spritz skin before applying make up and sometimes afterwards to fix it. Facialists rave about the shot of moisture they can give before you apply your moisturiser for the day. Good ingredients are key and with products like Digital Detox, you’ll find they become a part of your daily routine…cleanse – spritz and moisturise. Job done.

 

I’ve waxed lyrical about the benefits of Frances Prescott’s Tribalm (£39) before, but this product isn’t leaving my bathroom shelf anytime soon. It cleanses, moisturises and exfoliates – plus also doubles up as a cheeky little rejeuvenating masque during bath time. Deliciously aromatic, wonderfully portable it’s a serious no-brainer as a travel companion. As my daily cleanser. I’m convinced this product has kept my skin in tip top condition throughout the summer months.

 

This light, fluffy marshmallow of a moisturiser really is quite the guilty pleasure. As effective in the cold winter months as it is throughout the summer, the light formulation belies just how hydrating and healing it is. Skyn Iceland’s Pure Cloud Cream (£41 ) contains a myriad of natural ingredients – from sodium hyaluronate to plump and boost skin’s hydration, oat extract to calm skin after breakouts or skin trauma, bisabolol, an anti-irritant derived from chamomile that calms and soothes and the unique Icelandic Complex that replenishes the nutrients that stress depletes – glacial water, arctic cloudberry and cranberry seed oils rich in those vital omega fatty acids that dive deep into the skin’s deepest layers. A lot of good science in a tiny pot of natural, vegan goodness. Obsessed.

 

Finally – oh how I laughed when I applied this Natural Spa Factory Aegean Black Face Wrap (£29 for pack of three) – a tissue masque that loops over your ears twice (yes there’s a super lifting chin strap part too) and that packs a powerful punch of antioxidant, active charcoal. There’s nothing you can really do other than lie back and relax. It tightens, it lifts, it clarifies and above all when you whisk it off and massage in the remaining serum – your skin feels fresh and firm. I love the handy, simple packaging rather than a masque in a pot that ultimately dries out when you don’t apply quite as religiously as you intended. Great on a Friday night before heading out.  

 

Words and pictures by Shelly Vella

All products featured are cruelty free.