How To Achieve Healthy, Summer Skin - Minus The Sun (Like A Dermal Clinician)

Updated:

18 Dec 2024

Yads Cauchi is a Dermal Clinician, Nutritionist (BHSc, MSc) and Beauty Journalist. She's also a mum of four. Evidence based skin health and nutrition are her thing and she works from her own skin clinic based in Canberra - you can find her there, or on Instagram and TikTok @yadscauchiskin.

The sun is my enemy, fact.

And while I did spend a chunk of my youth laying out in the sun I definitely started to see the consequences of my actions as I edged into my thirties.

Pigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles - but most importantly skin cancer are all reasons to let your love for tanning go.

Promise. Especially if glowy, healthy skin is the goal.

So how can you achieve healthy, glowy summer skin - minus the sun? Let me share some tips below.

1. Gentle Exfoliation To Glow.

As a true combo-skin girly, I don’t stray from regular exfoliation and I know so many clients can benefit, because yes, over-exfoliation is not great for the skin but when the weather is warm under exfoliating can be an issue too..

Exfoliating will get rid of dead skin cells and help your skin stay clear and bright.

You just have to remember to give back to the skin with hydration and obviously use the right formulas for your skin, but when you exfoliate correctly your skin will glow!

Try:

Cosmedix Purity Detox Scrub - Uses a combo of physical and chemical exfoliants, including salicylic acid to work deeper in the skin. It’s a dry scrub you mix with water and only use a few times a week. Love for a thicker, combo/oily skin.
Aspect Fruit Enzyme Mask 50g is better for a sensitive skin, or anyone that tends to need to exfoliate less. This mask = a smoother/brighter complexion but uses enzyme based exfoliants it’s non-drying and super easy to add into a routine.

Skincare For Brighter Skin.

An even skin tone can = a healthier looking skin: fact.

If pigmentation is a concern, adding a pigment-blocking serum into your routine will help control the melanin production in your skin, especially through summer when the weather is warmer and we’re potentially getting more sun exposure.

Whilst staying consistent with your vitamin A is important as well.

Try:

PCA Skin Vitamin B3 Brightening Serum 30ml - This is a lightweight gel based formula that can help manage pigment and calm redness at the same time making it a great option for sensitive skin.
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3% 30ml - Is also one of my favourite vitamin A formulas. Start at 0.3 and work your way up!
Cosmedix Glow Bamboo Brightening Mask - Is a great add on to a summer routine as it both exfoliates, and helps to brighten the skin and reduce the look of discolouration. (Great when your skin is feeling dull.) And never forget a glowy SPF! I can’t say much because of the TGA regulations but I always get compliments when I wear La Roche-Posay Anthelios KA+ SPF 50+ 50ml so do with that information what you will.

Fake Tan (Without The Damage).

So we’ve covered that the sun is my enemy, so if you want a 'bronzey glow' - faking it is key.

Start with a body wash that contains chemical exfoliants in the shower, and then follow with a moisturiser all over - obviously focusing on elbows/knees etc. that tend to be drier.

That way the morning after when you apply fake tan the skin on the body will be prepped and the tan will work well.

Try:

Loving Tan 2HR Express - Medium 200ml which gives a rich, natural looking tan and it doesn’t take too long either.

Makeup For A Radiance Boost.

Also faking a glow with your makeup = a sun safe glow.

Bondi Sands Be Bronze Instant Bronzing & Hydrating Serum 30ml is honestly identical to *those* Bronzing Drops - but half the price.

Applying or mixing it into a foundation can help fake that “I’ve just been on a summer holiday” when you really haven’t.

Clinique Sun-Kissed Face Gelee Complexion Multitasker is another great product to create a sun-kissed look with and easy to mix in with your moisturiser or foundation.

Also, it’s oil free so better if you are oily. And personally, I will never leave the house without bronzer.

Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour are cult products for a reason, they’re so easy to apply/blend and are so smooth/creamy and quick to use when running out the door.