Here Comes The Sun

Using a body scrub three times a week will get your skin gleaming, and ensure the creams you use afterwards penetrate better. Salt- or sugar oil-based scrubs are excellent as they polish and nourish in one go. First, use the mixture on dry skin, then step under the shower and work over your body a second time to really slough off the dead, dull cells.

Peel pads are brilliant for using on bumpy backs of arms, shoulders, elbows and super-dry legs, plus they minimize in-growing hairs. Alternatively, Fur Oil deep-treats dry skin on underarms, the bikini line and legs, while also helping to stop in-growing hairs.

To clear blemishes on your back or chest, swap your usual AHA peeling solution for a BHA – it’s a gentler formula, plus it will balance unruly skin. What we take internally is known to affect us externally, so a course of probiotics can also help calm red, reactive skin. Skincare line KlarSkin offers a dual approach to treating spot-prone skin with a Radiance Powder that you add to water, juice or a smoothie and a serum to apply topically on the areas you want to treat (for very dry skin, try its super-hydrating Reforming Liquid drink).

This is the time to find your summer scent. The typical vacation perfume is cool, crisp and fresh, but while this has a time and a place, it doesn’t work everywhere. Every destination has its own unique humidity level and temperature, and therefore affects your perfume differently. “Match your fragrance to the country you are traveling to,” says Kilian Hennessy, founder of perfume brand Kilian, who advises considering what grows naturally in the destination you’re visiting. “Say, for example, you’re traveling on safari, something woodsy and warm is perfect; while a trip to Italy calls for something lighter and fresher.” Going to the tropics? Look for heady, night-blooming flowers like jasmine that radiate an intoxicating scent; herb and citrus notes, like orange blossom, lend themselves to a drier Mediterranean climate or desert vacation. And don’t limit yourself to a traditional perfume; mix things up with a body spray, oil or lotion, or choose a subtly scented hair mist.

In theory, it’s nice to keep skin bare on vacation, but the reality is this isn’t something we’re always comfortable to do. If you do require a little coverage, it’s best to keep things light; choose a long-lasting creamy concealer such as La Mer The Concealer, which can be blended into skin only where it’s needed or mixed in with moisturizer for all-over sheer coverage. Mascara must be waterproof and have some degree of humidity resistance (we love Eyeko Sport Waterproof Mascara), while a hot orange or coral lip never looks better than on vacation teamed with sun-kissed skin; try Gucci Beauty Rouge à Lèvres Voile in Agatha Orange.

Sun cream that stains your swimsuit and attracts sand by the bucketful is a common gripe on vacation, but thankfully new formulas are taking the stress out of sun protection. Natura Bissé C+C Dry Oil Antioxidant Sun Protection SPF30 is perfect for a day on the beach – it’s a dry oil so sand won’t stick to it as easily. Creamy and nourishing lotions are for when sand is out of the picture: La Mer The Reparative Body Sun Lotion SPF30 is the best pool-side option, while Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF50 are genius for topping up face protection throughout the day. Just remember to always apply sun protection at least 20 minutes before you go outside. And don’t forget your hair; UV distorts color and, while a sun hat is a good idea, we suggest using a UV mist too. Sisley Protective Hair Fluid is a great shield and also contains conditioning shea and hazelnut oils. Mist on every time you top up your SPF.

Free yourself from routine and discover activities outside that not only inspire but are fun – jogging along the beach or paddling in the pool is always more appealing than the treadmill. “As soon as I take my clients outdoors away from their normal workout environment, their fitness increases,” says Luke Istomin, a Sydney-based personal trainer. “By removing the distractions of the gym, they workout more intensely.”

Water sports provide total body workouts without being stressful on joints. Paddle boarding is a great core, ab and leg workout as it requires balance to stay upright. Snorkeling is a brilliant aerobic workout, as just breathing through the tube makes the lungs work harder. Water-skiing challenges every major muscle group in the body just to stay upright, and swimming against the current while wearing fins increases intensity and resistance.

Jogging or walking along the beach will automatically double the calories you would burn from doing the same activity on flat ground, such a treadmill or sidewalk. When you step on something uneven you naturally engage more muscles, including the smaller ones that ‘wrap’ around the bigger muscles and are responsible for creating that sculpted definition. Plus, it’s great to do this barefoot as you’ll exercise the often-neglected feet.

Working out in water – no matter whether ankle-, waist- or chest-deep – gives you up to twelve times the resistance of open-air exercise, so even wading in the sea means you are strengthening and building your leg muscles. Plus, the buoyancy supports the body’s weight and reduces stress on the joints.