Skin Season

There’s summer skin, and then there’s that kind of summer skin - the kind that looks like you’ve just had a facial, slept a solid nine hours, and somehow stayed misted in mineral water all day long.  No filters, no giant makeup bags being squeezed into 100ml empties. Just a healthy full-body glow and even complexion that lets you roll straight out of bed and maybe receive a compliment or two from a passer by.

Lately, I’ve been on a personal mission to find that feeling again. After years of taking my skin for granted (and trying far too many products in quick succession), I found myself dealing with breakouts, the kind that left behind stubborn scarring. Fine lines have started to show on my forehead, my pores seem louder than ever, and overall, my skin has felt dehydrated, unbalanced, and just not mine. It’s not really about the way it looks but it’s about how it feels. I'm craving skin that feels healthy, resilient, and low-maintenance enough that I can forget about it entirely. That might be wishful thinking but I have been determined to find the secrets.

So this piece is as much for me as it is for you. We’re talking deep hydration, real radiance, and a few smart treatments that do the work so you don’t have to. Ahead, the no-makeup skincare edit (with a little bit of makeup)- because the less time you spend in front of the mirror, the more time you get under the sun.

The Prep: Treatments That Do the Heavy Lifting

Great skin starts before you even pack the SPF. Set yourself up for glow with high-performance treatments that reset and recharge your skin, giving you that off-duty model finish without the backstage fuss.

• Dr. Dennis Gross LED Mask
  Think of this as your pre-holiday power move. Ten minutes a day of hands-free, red light therapy helps reduce inflammation, smooth fine lines, and dial up your skin’s natural glow factor. It’s also just a bit fabulous wearing one!

• Medik8 Clarifying Foam
  If you're dealing with congestion or post-breakout skin like I was, this is a game-changer and I seriously mean that. I went three months struggling before I found this and it was overnight the difference. Gentle yet effective, it purifies without stripping, thanks to a cocktail of salicylic acid and soothing niacinamide. Skin feels clearer, calmer, and just a bit more under control.

• Therapie Clinic Laser Facial
  If you’re after serious glow and long-term clarity, this is a professional-grade refresh worth booking in. Laser facials target texture, scarring, and pigmentation by boosting collagen and clearing congestion. It’s your shortcut to glassy, post-facial skin that lasts.

• RéVive Brightening Eye Cream
  This brightening under-eye cream doubles as a subtle illuminator, instantly waking up tired eyes while targeting long-term dullness and fine lines. Dab it on in the morning to fake eight hours and catch the light in all the right ways.

• Frank Green Customisable Ceramic Bottle
  Never underestimate the power of hydration from the inside out. I know everyone goes on about it but it is the most cost efficient way to improve your skin. Keep your water intake on point with a reusable, chic companion like the Frank Green Customisable Ceramic Bottle, I got mine customised in black with my name engraved and it makes me feel very put together!

The Hydration Layer

Skip the makeup. Summer is the opportunity to let your skin actually breathe but for that, hydration is key. These products layer seamlessly and give you that healthy, bouncy sheen without piling on anything heavy.

• Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Serum
  This is the ultimate glow-granter. Packed with camellia extract and micro-droplet tech, it leaves your skin juicy, radiant, and perfectly prepped for whatever the day throws at you. I’ve personally started using it to prime my make up which I’ve found really helps it look like second skin.

• Omorovicza Daily Dew
  The kind of daily hydrator that feels like a soft reset. Light and balancing, it gives you hydration without heaviness, and works especially well under SPF or over retinol-treated skin.

• Dr. Barbara Sturm Ceramide Face Oil Drops
  A cushiony boost for compromised skin barriers. Just a few drops lock in hydration and leave your skin glowing, not greasy, ideal for post-sun repair or pre-flight prep.

• Chanel N°1 Red Camellia Serum-in-Mist
  A bi-phase mist that does more than just hydrate, it soothes, protects, and enhances radiance with red camellia extract. Mist it on as a final prep step or over makeup to keep skin dewy and calm all day long.

• Byredo Lip Balm
  Hydration doesn’t stop at the cheeks. Keep your pout smooth and nourished with a luxe balm like Byredo Lip Balm - it’s ultra-moisturizing, non-sticky, and gives lips that subtle, healthy sheen we all want for summer.

• Joonbyrd Kaleidoscope Smoothing Body Serum
  Silky, smoothing, and subtly scented, this is your body’s new secret weapon. It works like your favourite facial serum, delivering hydration and glow in equal measure. Especially effective for softening and smoothing stubborn keratosis pilaris, I'm currently trialling this and so far no complaints!

Still Want a Little Extra? These Will Do It (Without Doing Too Much)

If you’re still feeling like you want a subtle veil of something,  not makeup exactly, just a bit of extra polish, these barely-there complexion enhancers are the ideal bridge between skincare and beauty. Think glow-boosters with skincare benefits and SPF to match.

• Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint
  This is not foundation. It’s barely pigment suspended in water, delivering the most natural, lit-from-within glow you can imagine. It evens, it blurs, it hydrates, all without looking like you’re wearing anything at all. Perfect for humid days or when your skin already looks good and you just want to lean into it.

• Merit The Uniform SPF 50 Tinted Serum
  If you’ve ever dreamed of combining your skincare, sunscreen and your skin tint in one step, well this is it. Weightless, breathable, and with just enough tint to even things out without masking your natural texture. It’s the final step, and sometimes the only one you’ll need.

• Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
  Light-as-air coverage meets serious skin benefits. This tint gives you a silky, even finish while flooding skin with hydration and smoothing out texture. It’s like a beauty filter, bottled.

• Rhode Glazing Mist
  And lastly to finish everything off. Face mist meets essence. This plumps, soothes, and delivers a glass-skin sheen. Spritz it pre-serum, over SPF, or throughout the day - it’s the hydrating refresh button your skin will crave.