Summer is here and its presence is felt more day by day as stepping out of the house almost feels like entering a sauna. And though summer brings so many fun adventures and as much as we love to enjoy this tropical weather, the scorching heat does take its toll on our skin and the sweat and burn can make you feel terrible.
As the holidays bring forth an array of sun activities, get ready for the wear and tear and stay cool and protected at all times. We’ve rounded up our editor picks this summer to protect your skin, hair, and well, keep you from feeling icky, stinging and burning from the sweltering heat.
Nourishing Arsenal
Malunggay or Moringa Oleifera, has been a popular plant for nutrition as well as body care and herbal medicine. Moringa-O2 carries with it an array of moringa products that not only protects but also revitalizes and nourishes hair and body. One of the fastest selling products from its range is the Herbal, Hair, Scalp, & Skin Therapy Oil, a handy oil for summer as it soothes dry and flaky scalp resulting from the heat and at the same time softens dry and damaged skin. It’s also a perfect oil to use for a relaxing massage after a heavy outdoor activity.
A good after care product after traversing the heat of the sun is Moringa-O2 Herbal Hair Relaxing Serum with Argan Oil. It not only fixes that dull frizz, it also nourishes and revitalizes dry hair after exposure from the burning sun. For skin renewal that softens and moisturizes skin, Moringa-O2’s Herbal Moisturizing Lotion is your best after sun care arsenal. It is rich with multi-vitamins and minerals that stimulate cell regeneration and improves the skin’s elasticity.
Now, the sun is not the only enemy during summer; insects as well as creepy crawlers are also threatening to your skin, not to mention your health. Protect with Herbal Insect Repellent that doesn’t contain parabens, DEET, and other harmful chemicals before going for a mountain climb or before you hang out out in the park.
Knitted bag from Elise Chalmin collection at Promod; white flat shoes from The SM Store
Hydrate and Protect
Nivea has always been a staple summer partner as it usually presents an array of sun protection for all your outdoor activity needs. Besides being readily available, Nivea has a wide range of products that cover kids’ skin protection, tanning, moisturizing, whitening and after sun spray. The Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture is your daily arsenal regardless whether it’s summer or not. It gives reliable protection and skin hydration for up to 24 hours, but if you will be frolicking on the beach or swimming, best to reapply every two hours.
Nivea Sun Protect & Light Feel almost feels refreshing when applied and its invisible sun mist gives you 50 SPF protection from harmful UV rays. For the kids, a very high SPF application is needed as they often are the ones who swim and play under the direct heat without actually realizing the burn. Nivea Sun Kids Swim & Play sun lotion is especially formulated for children’s delicate skin and is “very” water resistant to give these chikitings more time for protection under the sun while sweating and swimming by the water. For those who want to go out but don’t want to acquire a tan, the Nivea Sun Whitening range works on whitening your skin while also protecting it with an SPF of 50. Now, for those who love to embrace the tanning touch of the sun, Sun Protect & Bronze is the perfect buy as it supports the skin’s natural tanning ability while keeping it protected at the same time.
But even after piling up your skin with so much sunblock throughout the day, prolonged sun exposure still takes its toll and gives off a burning sensation after sun exposure. You may load up your skin with after-care from Nivea Sun Cooling After Sun Spray which contains aloe vera that cools and soothes the skin and helps restore moisture.
Knitted top from South Sartorial; sunglasses, hat, white bag, Coco Cabaña printed pants and Parisian white sandals are all from The SM Store
One with Nature
If you will be snorkeling, seeing some sea creatures or swimming or going on a trek through the wildlife for summer, please protect your skin but at the same time listen to what Human Nature suggests: “think before you slather.” Every chemical you put on your skin seeps through the ocean when you go for a dive and a swim. Be mindful that living creatures exist in the ocean and whatever chemical we emit goes through the food that they eat. For swimming in the ocean we recommend Human Nature SafeProtect SPF 30; the sunblock doesn’t contain ingredients like parabens, oxybenzone, and benzophenone which can bleach corals and poison sea creatures. It protects your skin and protects the environment you will swim in.
Human Nature also has an All-natural scented cleansing bar in Lemon Zest, best for showering in the morning to perk you up for the day ahead, or for your bath after doing some outdoor activity as it has a cooling and refreshing effect. If you will engage in sports activities this summer, best to keep 100% Natural Deodorizing Foot Spray with you at all times as it not only deodorizes, it also has a cool and relaxing feel to keep your feet fresh and relaxed. For hair, 100% Natural Conditioning Hair Mist keeps your tresses conditioned and hydrated against the scorching sun.
Razor bra and sunglasses from The SM Store; denim beach tote from South Sartorial
Face Up
When you go outdoors, the first thing that is exposed to the harm of UV rays is your face and once it gets penetrated by invisible UV rays, the face becomes susceptible to tanning, burning, and other skin damage. First things first – protect your face, and don’t just use any sunblock. Be mindful of what you put on your face as it is more sensitive than the rest of your body. One of our favorite products both for face and body is Germaine de Capuccini’s Golden Caresse. It has a DNA Expert System that slows premature ageing and at the same time has an anti-dark spots system. It also protects against UVB and UVA allowing you to enjoy the sun without worry.
For skin hydration, we are still in love with Eau Thermale Avene Thermal Spring Water that soothes redness, calms itching, and refreshes the skin. This amazing product has traversed through a 40-year journey through the Cevennes Mountain aquifer where thermal spring water rich in trace elements and silicates is produced, achieving a perfectly balanced mineral composition, making it ideal for the care and management of sensitive skin. Spray it on and pat dry before leaving the house and reapply when needed especially when the heat of the sun irritates your skin.
Pink sunglasses and Coco Cabaña one-piece swimsuit from The SM Store
White Out
Now, if you’re not a sun baby, scared to darken, prefers to stay powder white and would rather hide in the shade drinking a glass of cocktail while reading a book than getting a tan or going sun bathing, then your best body care collection would be Gluta-C.
The brand has a wide range of products for intense whitening but our favorites are its Body Scrub, Body lotion, and Underarm and Bikini Skin Whitening Gel. If you want to whiten up after tanning under the summer sun, then these products are readily available in the grocery stores.
Brown hat and white top from The SM Store
Refresh Down Below
Summer makes you sweat and feel icky and dirty, and since we’ve covered everything else from hair, face to body care, it’s time to get “down” to business. With the tropical weather, it is important to maintain good feminine hygiene and keep fresh down below. We’ve recently discovered Priva Perfect Care 2-in-1 Feminine Wash that does not only lighten and keep the skin firm, it also produces a cooling effect that makes every woman feel cool and fresh especially in this weather.
Sunglasses from The SM Store; green printed dress from Cortefiel
Creative Direction by Tatum Ancheta • Photos by Star Sabroso • Styling by Noreen Claire Lim Legaspi, assisted by Criscel Bobis • Shot on location at Crown Towers Manila, City of Dreams • Special thanks to Ms. Charisse Chuidian, Francine Dayrit, and Crizelle Gloria
LCP is available at its flagship boutique located at 10th Avenue corner 39th Street, BGC. You may also check their online store once it launches this month at www.shoplcp.com. South Sartorial is available online at www.southsartorial.com starting on March 20.