French inspired Summer skincare routine

Did you know that your skin is the biggest organ you have? Not only that, but it’s also the only organ that is exposed to the external world. So no, skincare is not just a vanity thing. It is in fact, about your health. Our skin health is often an indicator of how well we our doing on the inside. The French have known this for a long time. In France ( but also Portugal, Belgium and other European countries) the pharmacy is the place to go for proper skincare products. These skincare products rarely have glamorous packaging but they are efficient and backed by science.

These pictures were taken in a pharmacy in **Rue Montorgueil in Paris**

My grandmother and my introduction to skincare

My Portuguese grandmother was adamant about taking good care of her skin and I remember being intrigued by her products when I was a little girl. She always smelled like flowers and looked put together even when she was cooking, cleaning the house or simply walking to the bakery around the corner. Always with her lipstick on, always wearing a silk scarf and a whiff of her favorite perfume, Chanel nr5. She had lived in Paris back in the 60s and though she only lived there for 5 years, Paris never left her. She had that ‘je ne sais quoi’ and she oozed effortlessly chic elegance.

Her skin always looked impeccable. She never smoked, never sat in the sun for hours and was very consistent about her skincare routines. I remember when I was 13 and spent the Summer at her house that she told me to always move up while moisturizing the skin and to not forget the neck and décolleté. When I came back home after that Summer, I started to get serious about my own skincare routine and every Friday night after school, I had my selfcare beauty evening. Olive oil mask in my hair, facial peelings, masks, gave myself a pedicure and painted my nails… I was a wild child that way but the homebody edition and a Parisienne in the making, just like my beautiful grandmother had always been.

The French Beauty solution & Caudalie

A few years ago I read an interesting book about beauty, skincare and skin health. The book is written by Mathilde Thomas, the founder of my all-time favorite skincare brand Caudalie. The book is called “The French Beauty solution” and it’s packed with useful and inspirational tips. It is an holistic approach to skincare and skin health. What I love about Caudalie is that it has natural ingredients that are effective. In addition, the way the creams and oils feel on the skin, is very pleasant and they are easy to apply. Caudalie products have subtle scents, often neroli which is my favorite scent and soothes the senses.

Different needs throughout the seasons

Though I follow somewhat of the same routine throughout the year, the products I use change as the seasons change. Our skin has different needs as the seasons shift. For instance in Winter I tend to use richer creams and oils that deeply nourish and restore the skin. During the warmer Summer months I use lighter creams (or gels) and focus on hydration and sun protection.

My current skincare routine

It is currently July and this is what my skincare routine looks like at the moment:

Exfoliate, masks and facials

In addition to my daily skincare routine, I also have weekly and monthly skincare routines. To give my skin extra care and nourishment.

Weekly

Once a week, I use a mild exfoliator for my face and body. It’s a great way to remove dead skin and making it silky soft I love the products from Rituals and I make sure to use a milder exfoliator for the more delicate skin on the face. Although I’ll admit to sometimes forgetting it or simply not finding the time to do it when life gets overwhelming and energy is sparse. Don’t worry too much about it when that happens, simply get back on track when you find the time and energy. I only use the exfoliator in the shower, it’s a lot less messy that way.

Every two months

Every two months I go to an aesthetician for a facial treatment. I usually have a vitamine C facial treatment or whatever my skin needs at that moment. I loveeeeeee facial treatments and it feels soothing to my skin and my nervous system. If and when my budget allows it, I would love to do it every month, especially during the Winter months.

Protect your skin from the Sun

Though we need some sunshine on our skin to allow our cells to produce vitamine D, too much and too harsh sunlight can damage our cells and DNA. This can happen after only 10 minutes. And I for one, would like to protect my cells and DNA. Not just because I don’t want to age prematurely, but also because I want to be healthy and vibrant for as long as possible. Also, if you think you want a tan and using sunscreen might prevent you from getting one, you’re mistaken. Because it does not protect your skin from 100% of UVA radiation. Some rays will still reach your skin despite wearing sunscreen and will therefor not prevent tanning completely.

I know there is a lot of debate on this. Some argue that it’s better not to use any sunscreen because it might be toxic to our skin. I agree that many brands are toxic to our skin AND to marine ecosystems, but there are plenty of brands that are natural and safe for both our skin and the ocean. Caudalie being one of them and no, I’m not being sponsored, though I believe I deserve it. Haha! Did I say that out loud?! Yes, yes I most certainly did! 😉

I love the sunscreen oil. It smells so good and nourishes the skin while protecting it from the sun.

Summer skincare tip!

During the summer months I often use sunscreen on my body during the day, instead of bodylotion and I use aftersun at night after I’ve showered.

The French holistic approach to skincare

The French know that a proper skincare routine isn’t just made up of the products that we put on our skin. The way that we choose to live is just as crucial. What you eat matters, hydration as in the amount of water that you drink in a day (you need more than you think you do), sun exposure, stress management, joie de vivre… Here’s a list of the do’s and don’ts of skincare