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Sian Victoria © - Summer skincare routine, The Ordinary & Pixi beauty haul

Best skincare to refresh skin for spring

Just like we refresh our home, spring is the best time to refresh our skincare too. During autumn and winter, our skin tends to get a lot drier, so my fall regime is to give it as much hydration as possible.

For spring and summer, I update my routine to focus on achieving glowy skin by tailoring my AM and PM routine to alternating products that have beneficial ingredients to revitalise and reduce breakouts. That way I require minimum makeup coverage and have a more natural complexion throughout the warmer months. As I’m not keen on that heavy sweaty makeup feel.

Dermatologists recommend wearing SPF all year round, so I always opt for a foundation, primer or BB cream that contains an SPF. But these do not provide enough UVA/UVB protection to wear alone especially when the sun is at its strongest. For this reason, adding SPF Skincare to your Spring-Summer beauty routine is essential to reduce signs of photoaging.

As beautiful as basking in the sun can be. The sun’s harmful rays are responsible for premature ageing, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. And of course, many types of cancer with Basal cell carcinoma being the most common taking the form of a raised skin liaison mostly found on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun most.

In my Nan’s case, it was her nose and forehead. So, check out my updated spring skincare routine. All items are available at Boots, and they are from brands that have vegan products and use less unnecessary filler ingredients and instead more beneficial beautifying ingredients that will revitalise your skin sooner and more effectively.

Morning Skincare Routine

Sian Victoria © - Day Summer skincare routine, The Ordinary & Pixi beauty

It’s important to note that new skincare regimens can take at least 30-90 days to show visible signs of improvement. If you maintain consistent daily use, you are sure to have an improved soft radiant glow before summer arrives.

And most importantly, your future self will be forever grateful for incorporating a facial SPF into your regimen.

Regardless of having youthful or mature skin, it’s never too late to start using SPF. Here are a few effective and affordable skincare items to refresh your morning skincare routine that I recommend from Boots.

1. Eco Warrior Gently Cleansing Sensitive Facial Bar

I’m always on a mission to reduce my single-use plastic consumption. A simple way this can be achieved in your beauty routine is by swapping your plastic bottle of face wash for a bar of soap.

Cleansing your face to ensure it’s free from makeup, dirt and oils is the most important part of your skincare routine so it’s not a decision I took lightly. But when you think about it, the job of a cleanser is to remove the dirt and then be washed away. It’s not made for staying on your skin.

So, if it’s effective at gently cleaning a facial bar is a great alternative if you want to use less plastic. Since it’s the ingredients in your toners, serums and creams that remain on your skin that is going to make the most difference.

An effective cleanser that removes all the day’s grime is the Eco Warrior Gently Cleansing Sensitive Facial Bar containing Chamomile & Calendula Essential oil ingredients.

This plant-based duo is perfect for calming sensitive skin. Besides being vegan, made in Britain and containing minimum packaging that’s recyclable. Like many other vegan soaps, this facial bar requires fewer ingredients preventing skin irritations and enabling beneficial ingredients such as coconut and olive oil to be in higher concentrations.

Morning and night I recommend doing a double cleanse using the Eco Warrior facial bar to unclog dirt from pores and reveal clean fresh skin to enable your next treatments to effectively get to work.

2. Pixi Rose Tonic

As you may have seen in my Summer Skin at Home post. Using rose water as a toner has remained a permanent fixture in my daily skincare regime. The rose water is made by steeping the petals in water for them to release their beneficial plant nutrients to create a natural essence toner, that the skin loves.

To amplify the benefits of rosewater, I’ve updated my skin tonic to the Pixi Rose Tonic. The natural skin trio of Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Glycerin and aloe vera are known for their cooling and refreshing effect leaving behind softened and moisturised skin. Making it a soothing and effective skincare product to add to your skincare routine.

The Glycerin and Rosewater infused toning solution can be applied to the face, neck, chest, and hands so are perfect to apply to cool your skin throughout the warmer months. Applied with a reusable cotton pad this toner is my morning essential helping to soothe skin and make it feel less tight.

Sian Victoria © - Summer skincare routine, Pixi Beauty & The Ordinary

3. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

To complement the toner and take your skin’s hydration to the next level. I recommend The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5hydrator serum. This light oil-free formula of Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin B5 will plump and smooth your complexion by helping the skin to retain moisture to reveal dewy fresh skin.

The high concentration of vegan-friendly ingredients enhances surface hydration like no other. Many HA skincare products provide short term hydration by drawing moisture out of the skin. As HA is too large of a molecule to be absorbed by the skin it instead sits on the skin and draws out moisture from within.

To prevent this The Ordinary’s skincare has a unique formula and utilises three forms of HA that can be absorbed by the skin and will provide long-lasting hydration.

As HA and Vitamin B5 have a lightweight consistency providing hydrating benefits. It makes it the perfect product to add to your spring/summer haircare routine too to prevent hair from going dry in the heat. So, apply this multitasking serum to damp hair and clean skin and quickly notice them become softer and more manageable.

4. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

If like me, you want to wear less foundation during the warm season and crave a more natural clear complexion. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% may just become your ultimate go-to for reducing the appearance of blemishes, enlarged pores and uneven skin tone.

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% ideally shouldn’t be used with pure vitamin C or A. So, since my night-time routine contains these vitamins, I only apply this serum in the morning. But if you’re not using A or C at night then it can be applied in the AM and PM.

This effective duo of Niacinamide and Zinc regulate sebum production helping to prevent the pores from clogging while reducing surface bacteria that cause blemishes. I started using Niacinamide for the first time in January and I wished I had added it to my skincare regime sooner.

I noticed it helped to amplify the results of my reliable skin-loving friend’s vitamin A, C and E. This high strength vitamin and mineral formula target skin blemishes to achieve a visibly clearer complexion that will be sure to make you feel more confident wearing less makeup this summer as it has me.

5. Sun Bum Original Broad Spectrum Facial Cream-SPF 50

When it comes to protecting your skin this Spring-Summer I would advise a Factor 50 Sun Cream for maximum protection against premature ageing.

Because regardless of how perfect your skincare regime is or how often you apply anti-wrinkle cream. If you’re not applying a daily SPF before leaving the house the results of your skincare will be counterproductive. As your skincare regime will be less effective if it’s subject to damaging UVA/UVB rays each day.

So, protect your skin with a facial SPF and allow the rest of your cosmetics effectively get to work by improving the appearance of the skin. A vegan sunscreen that has great reviews is the Sun Bum Original Broad Spectrum Moisturizing Facial Sun Cream containing an SPF 50.

For someone that has oily-combination skin applying anything greasy to my face instantly makes me break out in spots. Thankfully, the lotion is lightweight, matte and oil-free so it won’t affect your makeup and is unlikelly to give you blemishes.

6. Hello Sunday The One For Your Lips Lipbalm SPF 50

Often overlooked the skin on our lips needs protecting from the sun too. Dry lips in summer are usually the first sign I see that reminds me I need to apply an SPF lip balm more frequently.

Enriched with shea butter and hyaluronic acid, the Hello Sunday The One For Your Lips Lipbalm with an SPF 50 is a great choice. It provides essential moisture and protection throughout the day when applied often.

The clear gel glides effortlessly on the lips creating the perfect smooth base before applying your desired pop of colour. If you have sensitive skin, you’ll be pleased to know it has a fragrance-free formula.

PM: Alternating Night Skincare Routine

Sian Victoria © - Night Summer skincare routine, The Ordinary & Pixi beauty

My night routine consists of a lot more layering skincare products. But I don’t use the following all in one session, instead, I alternate between a few each night.

For example, I suggest two plant oils below, but I take them in turns. And I’ll use a charcoal mask treatment every week to prevent skin congestion. I’ll also wait a few seconds before applying each item to allow it to be slightly absorbed before applying the next.

After a double cleanse using the Eco Warrior facial soap, I’ll then begin to layer the following products.

7. PIXI Vitamin-C Tonic

For the day I want my toner to soften but for the night I want it to exfoliate. This ensures I’m removing dead skin cells often, unclogging pores and creating a smooth complexion ready for the morning ahead where my skin can soak up the hydration more freely.

The PIXI Vitamin-C Tonic is perfect for this. It contains willow bark and fruit extracts to exfoliate. While probiotics help fortify the skin’s barrier and vitamin C encourages collagen production for a healthy skin glow.

When it comes to exfoliating skincare, I would recommend avoiding physical exfoliators with particles. Instead, use exfoliating liquids to remove dead skin cells for a smooth, even, and glowing complexion. Use chemical exfoliants that contain either Salicyclic acid, Glycolic Acid, or alpha-hydroxy (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy (BHA) acids. If you’re new to using them introduce them slowly into your routine.

If you have sensitive skin, you may find using them once a day or every other day best for you to regularly dissolve and loosen up congested skin to clean the pores and boost cell turnover. I’ve seen contradicting posts online regarding this product being vegan.

So, to be sure check before purchasing as beauty ingredients lists are always subject to change.

8. The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Hemi-Squalane

A multitasking skin and haircare product I’ve been using for almost two years now is The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Hemi-Squalane. An emollient to help prevent hydration loss. There are two types of pure Squalane available from the game-changing skincare brand The Ordinary.

However, the Hemi version is lightweight making it more suitable for hair use, so I opt for this one as it’s equally as effective as the regular one. It also absorbs faster and doesn’t leave an oily residue making it best for makeup application too if you decide to use it in the AM.

Squalane is non-comedogenic so it’s the perfect hydrator if you have oily-combination skin. Adding a hydrator to your routine will improve the health of your skin. A lack of hydration will weaken dermal elasticity causing it to look dehydrated and lose suppleness. So should be considered a top priority when revitalising your skincare.

This beautifying ingredient is found in animals, plants, and sebum. And is naturally produced in the sebaceous glands on the skin. For this reason, when choosing a Squalane product make sure it’s vegan as it is often harvested from the liver of sharks.

Sian Victoria © - Summer skincare routine, The Ordinary & Pixi beauty

9. The Ordinary 100% Cold-Pressed Borage Seed Oil

Suitable for all skin types The Ordinary 100% Cold-Pressed Borage Seed Oil extracted from the Borage plant is perfect for irritated and dry skin as it nourishes, calms, and soothes.

This native blue starflower plant contains some of the highest amounts of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) available. As well as linoleic, oleic, stearic, and palmitic acid. These are all essential fatty acids that do wonders for stimulating the face and scalp.

To be applied topically The Ordinary’s high-purity oil is light and absorbs quickly. It has a low comedogenic rating meaning it’s less likely to block the pores.

Similarly, to Squalane and HA. Borage Seed Oil is multitasking and benefits the condition of your hair health too. When applied to the ends and length of hair it can encourage strength and shine.

10. The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

A highly effective skincare product I added to my regime last fall was The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%. Throughout this Spring-Summer it will undoubtedly maintain its rightful spot in my beauty cabinet as one of the best multi-functional skin care antioxidants.

Naturally found in grains this high concentration of Azelaic Acid consists of a lightweight creamy gel that helps to visibly improve skin texture while reducing the appearance of blemishes and brightening skin tones to fade dark spots.

11. The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%

Introducing a Vitamin C Serum into your Spring-Summer beauty routine will do wonders for achieving radiant glowing skin this season.

My L-Ascorbic Acid treatment of choice is The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%. This active antioxidant is best applied as part of your bedtime regime, especially if you have sensitive skin. That’s why HA is a great addition to this formula.

When using high strength vitamin C for the first time I’d recommend using it lightly while gradually introducing it into your routine and never applying more than two products of this potent ingredient in the same session as it can irritate and have the opposite effect such as causing more breakouts. As well as skin sensitivity and burning.

So if you are new to vitamin C and want to use this swap the Vitamin-C Tonic to the Pixi Glow Tonic instead. Once you’ve found the right balance for your skin type you may begin to experience a variety of skin improvements.

From boosting collagen production, reducing dark circles, fading hyperpigmentation, and brightening and evening out skin tone. With age, our skin loses collagen and begins to sag so vitamin C can help to improve signs of this.

Sian Victoria © - Skincare beauty cabinet

12. The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane

Another essential anti-ageing treatment is retinol also known as vitamin A. This active ingredient should also be carefully introduced into your regime. I’ve been using retinoids since 2017 so I use The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane.

If you’re new to topical vitamin A. I’d recommend starting with the 0.2% followed by 0.5% first. Or if you are prone to sensitivity, use the Granactive Retinoid 2% as it is less likely to cause skin irritation.

Retinol is great for reducing visible signs of skin ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles. When using vitamin A, your skin will become extremely vulnerable to sun exposure. For this reason, only use one Retinol treatment at bedtime and always apply an SPF the following morning.

13. The Ordinary 100% Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil

If you have youthful skin under the age of 25. You may not be ready for vitamin A just yet. Or if you’re prone to skin irritation and aren’t keen on using a potent concentration of retinol for this reason.

Then a nourishing skin-loving alternative is The Ordinary 100% Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil. This pure formula is rich in linoleic acid, linolenic acid and pro-vitamin A so has much skincare and stimulating scalp benefits.

As rosehip seed oil naturally contains vitamin A and C as well as essential fatty acids it is effective at reducing the appearance of photoaging, sun damage, and hyperpigmentation while boosting collagen production and being a lot gentler to the skin as opposed to using retinol in its pure form. Since the fatty acids provide hydration making it a great oil for moisturising the skin.

When adding a plant oil, it is best to use it at night as it can appear greasy on the skin, and it should be the last step in your routine as layering serums on top of the oil will prevent the penetration of other ingredients.

14. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque

For years on the blog, I’ve shared my love for charcoal face masks. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque is an effective skincare treatment that I’ve relied upon for over 3 years. And therefore, maintains its position on my beauty cabinet.

As many know, both clay and charcoal have deep cleansing abilities that enable them to draw out impurities by unclogging pores and minimising their appearance. This process helps to effectively reduce skin congestion from the build-up of sebum refreshing the skin and making it appear brighter. So, it is a perfect treatment for seeking glowing skin this season.

In conjunction with Salicylic Acid, the mask reduces blemish-causing bacteria while exfoliating dead skin cells to promote smoother skin and targeting textural irregularities. If you have sensitive skin like me, I’d recommend masking every 7 days and removing it after 5 minutes. For normal skin types, it can be used for up to 10 minutes twice a week if necessary for a deep clean.

To conclude

So, there you go. Some of the best vegan skincare brands available at Boots to refresh your Spring-Summer beauty regime. Perfect for when seeking effective ingredients for improving skin health. While promoting smooth, hydrated, and glowing skin that’s also protected by an SPF to prevent sun damage and premature ageing.

Don't forget if you are seeking vegan skincare, product ingrediants do change so always check.

You may also be interested in my how to create cruelty-free and vegan makeup looks post.

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14 Vegan Skincare to Refresh Routine For Glowing Skin