How to keep your Summer Glow Glowing
by Mama Mio
Summer is here, and whether that means long carefree days on the beach on in the park, gorgeous runs on a sun streaked trail, chasing after your crazy kids in a scream-filled playground or all of the above. The sun is going to be your constant companion. Of course the most essential stage to any skincare routine when the sun is out is a very good sunscreen. As realists, whilst we know absolutely that tanning is bad, VERY BAD - it does really feel oh so good. And while snow white could pull off the alabaster skin look... many of us have a secret preference for a tiny bit of color. Thankfully research states what we already know - that a little sun does you good... so slathered in SPF 30 we stagger off into the sunlight for a carefully contained damage limitation glow.
Having been so very cautious in the obtaining of said glow.... we need to be just as diligent in maintaining it . Why is it that as soon as you step out of the sun your carefully achieved glow turns to scales and you go from beach goddess to scary medusa (ok slight exaggeration but you get the idea!). In the most basic terms - the sun is very drying to your skin and you will need to add in an extra level of nourishment in your aftersun routine.
At Mama Mio we recommend a two tier strategy to keep your skin healthy, glowing and showing throughout the summer.
The first step is exfoliation - this is the key to keeping your skin silky soft and scale-free. It is the product that any woman who is serious about her skin will have to hand and use at least once a week. Exfoliation has three benefits First - Removing the layer of dead skin cell 'cement' (yuck) - this will make your skin look cleaner, clearer and will clear the way for your moisturizer to ensure the product benefits are being maximized. Second - exfoliation stimulates cell regeneration. Encouraging your body to increase the speed of development of 'new fresh and shiny' skin cells - which means - your skin looks even cleaner clearer and glowy. Finally, exfoliation gives you lovely soft touchable skin. Don't worry that by exfoliating you will lose your tan faster - it may be the case but it is a minor speed difference and Bump free, soft, smooth, glowing is definitely worth it. Our Mama Mio Body Buff - is a fantastic option and in case you are thinking all exfoliants are equal ( I just heard you saying exfoliation, shmexfoliation!). Body Buff is super gentle but very effective - it has loads of perfectly round scrubby granules of micro ground pumice which means that you get quick, easy and effective exfoliation set in a super hydrating sweet almond oil base. Apply to dry skin and then rinse off in the shower - it is brilliant for your face too, but use it when your face is wet for the perfect facial level of exfoliation.
The second step is mega-hydration...your skin needs moisture and nourishment to recoup from the effects of sun exposure. Have you ever used a body oil? Or are you fearful of the word oil - and imagine yourself sliding about looking like a basted turkey leaving greasy marks everywhere you go? Well get over it - a week of intense therapy ought to do it - or you could just try Mama Mio O.Mega Body Oil. This is the product that will convert even the most extreme of oil-phobes to sing the praises of Body Oil. Packed with superfoods Omegas 3, 6 and 9 (crucial for maintaining the elasticity of the skin), it soaks in quick to leave the skin irresistibly silky-soft fragrant and touchable with a beautiful sheen. It is 100% moisture with no nasties and really will convince your skin to glow with health.
Powerful when used by themselves, these products are dynamite together to force feed sunshined skin keeping you soft and glowing, to banish the onslaught of that very bad Autumnal lizard look.
Published on Thursday 14 August 2008