S.O.S Skin in Danger: the little relief rituals of the summer
After a gloomy winter, we’ve all been dreaming of just one thing… long walks, swims, café terraces — and all of it under the sun! And now, here it is... Summer has finally arrived! Last year, many of you reached out asking for our best tips and tricks to protect your skin from the sun during this sunny season — all while keeping your complexion glowing. So, we decided to dedicate a full article to answer all your (very relevant!) questions: How do I manage sweating? Should I rinse off right after a swim? What should I apply after sunbathing? And so on.
The Never-Ending Question About Sunscreen
Some of you wonder: when should you apply sunscreen? First off, we strongly recommend choosing an SPF50 formula with as few undesirable ingredients as possible — which you're now familiar with, thanks to our articles “Undesirable Ingredients: How to Eliminate Them from Our Cosmetics” and “A Beauty App to Uncover Harmful Ingredients for Your Skin.”
Our advice? Apply sunscreen as soon as you step outdoors — even for a quick errand. We often underestimate how much sun exposure our face gets during those moments. That said, sunscreen should never replace your usual skincare cream. It only fulfills one purpose: sun protection. To avoid that greasy finish we all dislike, try different sunscreen textures until you find one that suits your skin type and layers well with your daily cream. Also, it’s more important than ever to choose a sunscreen with strong antioxidant power — especially during summer when oxidative stress peaks due to photo-oxidation, on top of all other environmental aggressors.
Avoid sunscreens with essential oils that react to sunlight, known as photosensitizing. The list is long — but easy to find online. For your peace of mind: only essential oils derived from citrus peels (not flowers) are photosensitizing. So no worries — our Neroli, distilled from citrus blossoms, is perfectly safe. And one more tip: read your medication leaflets! You might be surprised to learn some can also make your skin photosensitive.
Other Sun-Induced Reactions
Oxidation isn't the only summer skin enemy. Sun exposure can also trigger inflammatory reactions that lead to redness and blemishes. Instead of layering on foundation, focus on soothing care with after-sun rituals — ideally packed with anti-inflammatory ingredients like Aloe Vera, Neroli, or Witch Hazel. After sunbathing, soothe the delicate eye area with compresses or cotton pads soaked in our Aloe Vera multitasking lotion “Pure Merveille.”
After-Swim Skincare Matters
Once you’re in the water — whether pool or sea — don’t count on your sunscreen anymore. It’s washed away. Best practice? Rinse with fresh water immediately after swimming and reapply sunscreen. If you have dark spots, favor early morning or late evening swims to prevent them from spreading. Another great trick: morning and night, wipe the skin with a cotton pad soaked in a mix of apple cider vinegar and a floral or mineral water. This helps reduce pigmentation and tighten pores, an essential step to maintaining skin hydration.
Even Princesses Sweat!
Another summer struggle: sweat. Armpit stains, forehead shine — we know it well. Your body sweats to regulate its temperature (around 37°C), but the water appearing on your skin actually signals dehydration — despite the damp sensation. Cleanse your pores daily with our “Pleine Lune” powder cleanser. It not only purifies but also replenishes your hydrolipidic film with minerals lost through sweat. Follow with a brightening serum like our “Voile Lacté” to rehydrate your skin.
To maximize skin hydration, nourish it with essential fatty acids (EFAs) — they reinforce cell cohesion and prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Want to reduce shine? Use a good mask with a touch of clay, a fantastic ingredient for detoxifying skin while providing minerals. Try a non-drying, radiance mask like our “Sève Divine” — it won't flake off and fits easily into your day. Use it before a workout, while running errands, at the beach, or even while cooking. Get creative!
Your Fridge: An Unexpected Beauty Ally
If your fridge is near your bathroom, keep your skincare products inside! The cold adds an astringent effect — perfect for summer. Astringent? It simply means it tightens pores and leaves your skin looking smoother and more refined.
Don’t Forget Your Winter Neglects
Now’s the time to highlight your sun-kissed skin — especially areas dried out by tanning, saltwater, and sun exposure. Moisturize often, especially elbows, knees, and feet. Our nourishing roll-on “Secret Nomade” is perfect for this. Its rollerball tip and pocket format make it ultra-practical. Bonus: since it’s water-free, there’s no risk of cross-contamination between application zones.
Last But Not Least: Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
And our final tip — the one we keep repeating: drink plenty of water! And no, rosé doesn’t count… We mean actual water. If plain water seems too boring next to summery cocktails, try flavoring it with mint, basil, cucumber, apple, strawberry, ginger, or lemon. Use whatever you love! Prepare your bottle in advance and sip it throughout the day to make sure you get at least 1.5L of water daily.
