Long days spent soaking up the suns warm rays - what summer is meant for. Everything just feels better in the summer, doesn't it? Blooming flowers, green grass and bright summer skies. Life just seems more pleasant.

However, even if you've taken all the necessary precautions to protect your skin, it may need a little TLC post sun session. So today, we're sharing 5 of our favourite rituals to soothe sun-kissed skin.

1. Cold Cleanse

Sunscreen, sunshine, sweat and salt can leave skin feeling grimy and greasy. After your day at the beach, treat yourself to a cleanse to remove dirt, oil, leftover sun lotion and other impurities from your skin. Remember to watch the temperature setting. Too cold or too hot may put your body’s temperature regulators into overdrive and end up further irritating skin, but the right mild temperature will gently steam your pores, cool you off and flush perspiration away.

2. Soothing Mask

Forma Floris, our favourite post-sun ritual to heal and calm irritated or inflamed complexions. A combination of soothing colloidal clay and softening althaea root combined with a regenerative blend of all-natural essential oils make this a must-have to soothe summer skin.TO ACTIVATE: Mix with water and a small amount of aloe vera to create a rich, smooth, mousse like consistency. Aloe contains impressive cell regenerative properties + potent antioxidants that help calm inflamed complexions. It also contains vitamin C, E and zinc which work together to even skin tone and reduce sun related pigmentation.

3. Botanical Bliss

Reach for a soothing, hydrating floral mist to calm and rehydrate skin throughout the day and post mask. We love chamomile for it's potent anti-inflammatory benefits. There are many powerful calming active ingredients in chamomile, including the flavonoids apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin, and volatile oils including alpha-bisabolol and matricin. These constituents all contribute to chamomile's powerful anti-aging and antioxidant properties. When used on the skin, chamomile works to calm redness and dry, irritated complexions.

3. Hydrating Oil

Post mist, smooth 4-5 drops of your favourite facial oil into skin. When oils are applied to the skin, they are absorbed directly into the top layers of the epidermis, where they instantly go to work to improve the lipid barrier function – especially important for sun damaged skin. After you mask + mist, apply 2-4 drops of vitamin E rich argan to skin and gently massage in circular motions to deeply nourish and stimulate circulation. 

4. Sun Kissed Lips

If your lips are craving some post-sun TLC, start by buffing them lightly. Simply rub your damp toothbrush lightly over your lips to remove dead cells from your pout. Follow it up with a moisturizing shea butter lip balm for a revived and rejuvenated pucker.

5. Infused Water

Now that you've taken care of your skin with topical treatments, don't forget to hydrate throughout the rest of the day to replenish lost moisture from your day in the sun. Water aids in digestion, circulation, absorption and even excretion, and since skin cells, like any other cell in the body, are made up of water, they function optimally with proper hydration. When the skin does not receive sufficient amounts of water, the lack of hydration will present itself by turning skin dry, tight and flaky. Dry skin generally has a more easily compromised barrier and is more prone to fine lines. We love fruit infused waters for a delicious, summer inspired beverage.

We hope you're enjoying a beautiful summer season.

.eluo.