Although we live in a country synonymous with bad weather, we’ve actually been seeing some sunshine this year. When the sun does appear, we all want to rush out and make the most of it - but your skin needs to be prepared in order to reduce the chance of damage. Luckily, just a few small changes to your routine will make all the difference this summer. What does heat do to your skin? We all know that the sun can cause havoc for skin if it’s not protected from harmful UVA and UVB rays, but what do ultraviolet rays actually do? UVA, ultraviolet A, are rays with a long wavelength and are associated with skin ageing. They reduce the skin’s elasticity, which can contribute to wrinkles. Ultraviolet B rays have a shorter wavelength and are a contributing factor to sunburn, something we’ve probably all been subject to after underestimating just how powerful the sun can be. The outer layer of skin does contain something that is designed to help protect it - called melanin - but time in the sun can reduce its effectiveness and upset the delicate nature of the way skin repairs itself after damage. Of course, the sun has its benefits too. We need vitamin D for bone health, and sun exposure can help reduce blood pressure, not to mention improve mood and promote mental wellbeing. So, we get it, you don’t want to just sit inside and watch the summer pass you by. This is why it’s vital to protect yourself so you can get the best of both worlds - a happy summer with healthy skin. What is a good summer skincare routine? A good summer skincare routine for men should factor in the way heat affects the skin. For example, the heat makes us sweat more than we would during colder months, which means an increase in pore-clogging oils, and the potential for breakouts. It’s therefore important to exfoliate more often than you probably would during the winter. Similarly, summer skin needs extra time to repair than winter skin, so keeping up with your evening routine is a good way to mitigate some of the damage your skin takes during the day. The Bulldog Skincare Summer Skincare Routine Morning: Cleanse: Start the day with a face wash that cleanses the skin of the puffiness that a hot nighttime sleep can cause. We recommend the Anytime Daily Cleansing Face Concentrate, designed to help awaken skin, containing Fruit Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) to exfoliate and deeply cleanse. Serum: Follow up with a gel-cream like our Anytime Daily Moisturising Gel-Cream. This is formulated to offer an instant cooling feeling, hydrating the skin for the day ahead. SPF Moisturiser: Don’t skip moisturiser just because you’ve used a serum. Whilst they do both offer hydration, a dedicated SPF moisturiser is a vital part of your summer routine. Evening: Cleanse: Give the skin a proper clean down after a day in the sun with a soothing cleanse as your first evening skincare step. Our End of Day Recovery Face Gel washes away the impurities of the day, leaving skin feeling refreshed. Exfoliate: You might use an exfoliator once a week during the winter months, but we recommend upping that to three times a week in summertime. It will help remove all the sweat that builds up throughout the day, leaving your skin clean and ready for the next step. Try our Original Face Scrub, made with sweet almond shell which is a natural exfoliant. Serum: As mentioned, recovery is the key aspect of your evening routine, so our End of Day Recovery Serum is the perfect choice. With Rambutan, Icelandic Microalgae & Hyaluronic Acid, it’s clinically proven to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Moisturise: Finish the day with a shot of hydration. We suggest our End of Day Recovery Cream, containing grape-derived Melatonin to help smooth and refresh the skin overnight. Does SPF actually work and do you need it? Yes and yes. SPF (sun protection factor) is a vital part of summer skincare. But, how do you know you’re actually being protected? UVA, UVB, SPF, PA+++? If it’s all Greek to you, let’s break it down. SPF is a rating given to products like sun cream and moisturisers that show how good that product is at protecting your skin from UVB rays, the type of rays known to cause sunburn, damage to skin cells, and potentially melanoma. The higher the number after SPF, the higher the protection. Protection against UVA rays are categorised under PA+. The more pluses after PA, the higher the protection will be. With tons of products throwing the whole alphabet at you, it can be hard to choose something that will offer you adequate protection during a British summer season, which is why we’ve combined everything you need in one product. The Anytime Daily Moisturiser SPF 30 is a broad spectrum SPF that protects against UVA and UVB rays with PA+++. It also contains lots of natural skin-loving ingredients like Vitamin C, which offers antioxidant protection and guards against environmental pollution, and Safflower Seed Extract, a natural UV filter booster that improves skin hydration. The sun might not be here to stay, but you can enjoy it while it’s there by implementing some small changes to your everyday routine.
