Your skin-friendly summer guide

Catching yourself going “it’s too hot!” in the middle of the day, every day, for the nth time?  Even temperatures being a few degrees too warm can leave skin feeling irritated, sensitised and red. With this summer set to ramp up, it’s only wise to have a game plan for staying cool.

Here are our top five suggestions for a skin-friendly summer:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Draw those curtains and watch that thermostat
2. Refresh your skincare routine
3. Have a healthy diet
4. Wear linen
5. And then make your house wear linen

Draw those curtains and watch that thermostat

Throw some shade… on yourself! Afternoon sunlight may be beautiful but not when it means trapping hot air indoors.

Whether you’ve got roller blinds, drapes, curtains–keep them shut and keep the heat out where it belongs. For even better results, install some light-coloured backings for curtains to deflect sunlight away.

Tips if you’re using an air-conditioner: To maximise cooling, don’t set your thermostat less than 46°F below outdoor temperatures. Consider using a timer or a smart thermostat to further regulate your cooling and stay on top of those bills.

Refresh your skincare routine

Move aside, seltzer–we’ll need space in the fridge for skincare! Pop your toner, moisturiser and body lotion in for instant cool first thing in the morning. You can also chill a rose facial spray and sheet masks for a little midday, work-from-home mini spa. Productivity!

For the ultimate refresh, swap out heavy, creamy moisturisers, lotions and sunscreen for lightweight gel textures. They deliver a shot of instant cool, absorb quickly, and can be just as nourishing as richer creams. To soothe heat-irritated skin, look for formulas with calming centella asiatica and skin-barrier-boosting ceramide.

Have a healthy diet

We tend to sweat easily in the summer, and your skin can become dry due to excessive water loss. Besides drinking a lot of water to rehydrate, eating nutritious foods will also help with skin hydration. Eating fruits that are high in water content and vitamins, such as watermelon and orange can boost skin hydration. Vegetables like spinach, lettuce and broccoli, which contain more than 80% water, are also good for the skin (and body) especially in the summer.

Wear linen

For summer, cotton is a go-to but really, nothing beats stylish, smooth linen! Think breezy drawstring pants, sundresses and camp collared shirts. Flax fibres are thicker, creating a loose weave for air to circulate. The best part? It’s iron-optional. Linen looks great both creased and smooth.

Another fantastic, low maintenance fabric option to consider is seersucker, a type of weave made from cotton, linen, and if you’re feeling fancy, silk.

You’ll know it from its puckered finish, caused by bunched threads that make it sit away from the body. This encourages air flow to keep you cool while looking delightfully vacation-ready.

And then make your house wear linen

If it works for your summer wardrobe, it works for your house. You’ll likely be spending lots of time indoors, lounging and staying away from the sun, so skin-friendly linen for soft furnishings just makes sense! 

For sofas, linen slipcovers are as quietly luxe as they are comfortable, all the better for snoozing through lazy afternoon naps. The natural slubs and creases of the fabric make for an inviting, relaxed feel.

Our linen sofa covers come in gorgeous neutral tones from white to a warm hazel, perfect to match any interior style. Furthermore, with the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification of our fabrics, you can spend long hours on the sofa without having to worry about your skin. Pick from the Pure Linen fabrics for a 100% linen experience or the Everyday Linen fabrics – a linen-cotton blend that’s pretty soft too – on the wallet. Either way, you get the elegant appeal and cool comfort of this forever classic.

Your skin-friendly summer doesn’t just end here. Our Hypoallergenic Collection sofa covers are all-natural and certified free from harmful chemicals, preventing skin irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin.

Explore our Hypoallergenic Collection