Get ready to glow this summer
As we close out June, our month of self-care on Erin’s Edits, I’m sharing the trusted products that help me feel more confident in my skin and get me through swimsuit season.
I never used to mind wearing a swimsuit. Until I had 2 kids and started going through peri-menopause. Now I just eat a piece of toast in the morning and my belly looks like I am 3 months pregnant. This would have been fine if I had stayed in London - I could have got away with getting my pale body out twice a year on my bi-annual holidays to Spain and Portugal, but NOOOO I decided to move to Florida where it is swimsuit weather all-bloody-year-round. What a fantastic idea.
So here are the body products I am relying on to make the summer months a little more bearable when it’s 95 degrees and humid and there is zero option other than getting in the damn pool.
1 - Exfoliate
The first step in any skincare routine should be exfoliation of dead skin cells. You can do this in two ways…
First use a salt or sugar scrub with a glove, mitt or brush to slough the dead skin.
Osea Salt of the Earth Body Scrub - uses pink Himalayan body salts
Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish - I have been using this for years, I think they were one of the first to use sugar crystals for exfoliation. Also comes with nourishing oils and a great scent.
Oak Essentials Perfecting Body Scrub - This is my current favorite, I am on subscription with OE for almost all of their products as I know they are clean products using high quality non-toxic ingredients. And they smell divine, you really feel like you have been to the spa.
I am also using this Body Brush from Osea to slough the skin off, it can also be used for dry brushing in the morning before you shower.
Then use a chemical exfoliant like AHA’s - glycolic or lactic acid - to gently dissolve the dead skin and give your body that healthy glow.
Paula’s Choice Skin Revealing Body Lotion with AHA 10% Glycolic & Shea Butter
Dr Dennis Gross Alpha-Beta Body Wipes with AHAs + BHAs - easy to pack when you travel as are the self tanning wipes.
Necessaire The Body Peel - 10% AHA/BHA/PHA - this feels a bit sticky on application due to the high level of chemicals in here but once you get used to the feeling it really works. I use on my arms and legs over night and wash off in the shower the next morning.
2 - Lather
I have started using bar soaps again recently as there are suddenly so many good ones on the market.
Self Services Buffing Bar Starter Set (comes with soap holder) - currently out of stock as this is one of their most popular items but you can sign up for a text to notify you when it is restocked again.
Evolve Together Exfoliating plant-based bar soap in Havana - I have been using this for the last few months. It exfoliates and lathers quite well considering it is plant based and clean. It also smells yummy, like cedar wood. These are quite thin though so don’t last as long but they are affordable, you can buy in packs.
Flamingo Estate Exfoliating Soap Brick in Peppermint - feels like a true spa experience, just divine. Also makes a great gift as it is quite a substantial big square bar and it comes wrapped nicely.
Iota Body Brightening Wash in Cedar - this smells delicious and one of my current favs. Full of super foods and pro-biotics, makes you feel like you are doing something good for your body.
The Body Mitt from Kate Mcleod - a great very soft mitt for gentle lathering and exfoliating using products above. I also love her Daily Stone Moisturizing Bar Soap, which is circular and chock full of cocoa butter and other nourishing fatty oils. Smells like rose, frankincense and neroli. Heaven!
If I am lucky enough to have the time (and the peace and quiet) to have a bath I will use a luxurious bath oil from Oak Essentials or Suzanne Kaufman and some epsom salts like this Serotonin Bath Soak with Magnesium from Higher Dose.
3 - Serums & Oils
I love a good face oil as I get older and this also applies to body oil. I think it is one of the most luxurious items you can own and regular use not only helps my skin stay moist and glowing, but I feel like it adds something to my overall mental health as well!
Iota Supercloud Body Serum+ - this is packed with nutrients and super foods galore that you never knew your body needed. It has left my skin nourished and glowing every time I use it. It is a treatment though and can feel a tad sticky after you apply it, you would also need a lotion or body oil afterwards to make skin look softer, but this will reduce brown spots and tighten and brighten your skin over time. Also contains pro-biotics.
The Oak Essentials Dew Body Oil is the perfect summer weight oil. It smells delicious, goes on easily (I like to mix 2 pumps with my body lotion) and dries quickly without leaving any greasy residue.
For something a bit heavier and thicker, I use the OSEA Malibu Undaria Algae Body Oil which my mom introduced me to. It is very citrusy, a bit thicker and I feel does leave skin with a slight greasy residue. I like to use this in the winter when my skin is in need of deeper hydration.
If you are on a budget it doesn’t get better than the OG of body oils - Neutrogena Body Oil Light with Sesame oils (tried and tested for 30 years by me for only $12).
Add a bit of shimmer with L’Occitane Almond Body Shimmer Oil (Almond oil is so hydrating and this smells delicious) or the Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Shimmering Oil that smells divine and gives you a very subtle glow. I put this on my shoulders, collarbone and cheeks as a highlighter when I go out in the summertime.
4 - Self Tanner
You know the rules - exfoliate 24 hours before, use a mitt if you can to prevent the dreaded hand staining and always do a trial run on a small area before you cover your entire body in self tanner in case the color is just wrong on you! I can’t stomach the smell of most self tanners, so I like to put them on in the morning and wash them off before bed otherwise it makes me feel sick and gives me a headache.
Lusso Self tanning mousse by Dolce Glow - I have just discovered this fairly new range of luxury tanning products and so far I like them. This mousse is lightweight, the color is buildable and it gives you instant color so you can see what you are doing. I would always apply with a glove if possible to avoid the dreaded hand tan. There is also a tanning mist (which I haven’t tried) and these self tanning drops for the face.
I have always loved the Tan Luxe range of products as well - I have re-ordered this every summer for the last few years and it is very natural, but can smell a tad. Their self-tanning face drops are also great.
If you are on a budget but want quick results - my go to since college that you can never go wrong with is Juergens natural glow body lotion with self tanner in it - I go for medium/dark to get quicker results. It lasts for a few days but it definitely has a distinct smell to it!
I have also used this Clarins self tanning instant gel for decades… gives a nice color and can be used on face or body. Smells a bit nicer than some of the others. I also love the Clarins self tanning face drops - I add 2-3 drops to my moisturizer once or twice a week and I always get comments on how brown my face looks!
5 - Lotions
Not all body lotions are created equally - here are my personal favs:
Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Deluxe Body Moisture Cream - this is my number one all time favorite body lotion. Even better, the price - $65 for non members, but only $24 when you have a beauty pie membership. I stock up on this all the time as I am living in fear they will discontinue it. I also like to give them as gifts and have got my mom and several friends hooked on this stuff !
One Skin OS1 Body Peptide Cream - this is THE body cream for aging skin like mine. It works by penetrating the skin’s top layer and working with peptides from underneath to reduce lines and that crepey appearance.
L’Occitane Shea Butter Body Lotion - this is one of my go to lotions when I need soft skin and am in need of hydration. It is lightweight and non greasy.
Let’s not forget about the hands - which is one of the first places you notice aging:
Soft Services Theraplush Hand Treatment - Case & Refill set in scent ‘Hold’ - this is the holy grail of hand creams - not only does it look gorgeous on your nightstand but also packs a punch with retinol, oatmeal and panthenol (aka B5) to help reduce brown spots on your hands while strengthening your nails and softening your skin overnight. It is pricey but worth it and has a 99% 5 star rating by users.
6 - Potions
I like to set the mood in my bathroom if I am going to have a skincare / pampering day (usually it’s on a Sunday after breakfast). I put some music on - something like Huey’s weekend radio show on BBC6 - and light a candle. Having a nice smell in the bathroom is crucial for relaxation. I will either have a bath if I have time or just go straight into the shower and start my routine.
Three Sisters Candle Set from Flamingo Estate - includes the three best sellers Rosemary, Sage & Tomato candles in mini versions. Perfect for at home spa days, or a great hostess gift.
Pura’s Scent Diffuser sets - I have started using these plug in diffusers in the bathrooms of my house and I love them! You can get a home bundle here with 3 different diffuser sizes to start and see what works for you. They are also great in the kitchen, laundry room and even for the car.
Pura have collaborated with Studio McGee, Anthropologie, Tommy Bahama and the Brooklyn Candle Company on bespoke home fragrances. I love the Sea salt & Driftwood scent and the Santal Vanilla scent both from Studio McGee.
I also love these glass bottles from Diptyque (comes in 3 sizes) with home fragrance diffusers - so pretty in a guest bath or in your own bathroom. I love the Figuier scent and the Baies room spray is a classic that always relaxes me.
This will be my last newsletter for a few weeks as I take some time off to go home (to UK and Spain) for a relaxing break with friends. I am sure I will come back refreshed and feeling creative and inspired as I always do after these trips.
When I get back I will be writing about my one year anniversary on this platform and I will start the dreaded pay wall on certain posts that take me a long time to prepare. If you are enjoying the content so far, please consider upgrading in the coming weeks - it is the price of a coffee each week and will mean a lot to me as I want to be able to continue to put the time and effort into writing these weekly newsletters for you.
Until now, my emails have been heavy on the affiliate links as it is free to read them and this is how I make money. Hopefully moving to a paid subscription format will allow me to write about a broader range of topics and not just round ups of products I love.
As always, thank you for your support so far - have a great next few weeks and I will see you when I am back in mid July!