Summer survival kit for your skin

Here's what to put into your summer survival kit to help you and your skin enjoy summer days guilt-free.

Healthy summer skin goes beyond a golden glow – it means ensuring that our skin is protected against short and long-term damage, as well as actively improving skin health.

These are the top five goodies you won't want to face summer without.

Everyday essential

Our top pick is Daily UV Defence SPF50, which provides effective, broad-spectrum protection with a light, non-greasy feeling on the skin (if a sun cream is greasy, it won't get used – or definitely not as often as it should).

To ensure this product goes above and beyond, we've also included vitamin B2 and Superox-C^TM – the world's richest source of vitamin C – to help reduce the signs of age spots, protect against free radical damage, smooth the skin and improve radiance.

For best results

• Cloud and overcast conditions block as little as 20 per cent of UV rays, so use a topical sun protection product whatever the weather.
• Protect yourself wherever you are. Snow, sand and water all reflect sunlight. Likewise, some UV rays will reach you in the shade, too.
• Protect yourself early. Apply sun protection 20 minutes before exposure and again when you go outside.

Skin's little treat

You will have noticed that despite all the talk of skin's oiliness and shine during the summer, the skin on our arms, legs, feet and hands are often left feeling dry, thanks to a cocktail of air conditioning, chlorine, salt water, air travel and sun exposure.

Remedy dry, uncomfortable, lacklustre skin with the luxurious, fast-absorbing Replenish Body Butter, packed with shea and cocoa butters to moisturise, phytoestrogens to help re-densify skin and REFORCYL to improve skin's firmness, wrinkle depth, elasticity and smoothness.

For best results

• Use on damp skin. Apply within five minutes of bathing for longer-lasting hydration and better absorption of the beneficial ingredients.
• Use every day. If that sounds like too much effort, remember it's only five minutes a day – and keeping skin healthy is easier than trying to rescue it from neglect!

Antioxidant serum is a must

Research has shown that even with a great SPF, UV rays can cause a cascade of damage, particularly by stimulating free radicals, which are unstable molecules that cause damage to DNA.

The use of an antioxidant serum is vital to help quench that damage. Our favourite antioxidants are vitamin C and E, which are powerhouses at reducing UV-related free radicals and also minimising pigmentation. Both antioxidants are in the Replenish Collagen Boosting Serum.

For best results

• Use under your SPF every day in the morning.
• Make sure you remember to use it on your neck, as well as your face.

Use a good cream cleanser

Always make time to cleanse – just because you're on holiday or enjoying the British sun, sea and sand, it doesn't mean you can sleep in your make-up!

Our favourite type of cleansers are cream-based, as they can be used to dissolve make-up, sunscreens, sebum and environmental toxins. We love the Replenish Cream Cleanser.

For best results

• Always double cleanse at the end of the day; the first cleanse will remove everything else you have on your skin, the second cleanse will actually clean your skin and pores.
• After cleansing, use a (sustainable) cotton pad or muslin cloth to wipe away the remaining product – make sure you get it all.

Find a universal toner

Toners are in a different league from what they used to be. Now we use them to refresh, hydrate, balance skin's pH and even as a chilled eye compress on cotton pads for travel-tired eyes, so it's definitely worth adding one to your summer skin routine. Try the Replenish Gentle Toner.

For best results

• Apply the toner to a reusable cloth or cotton pad and wipe gently, in an upwards movement, over your face and neck.
• Placing your toner in the fridge for 15 minutes before use is particularly calming for your skin.