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Hey Good Lookin'

Skincare Is My Makeup

By Hannah Morrill

Raise your hand if when you think summer, you think wearing loads of makeup sounds awesome. No takers? Yeah, that’s what we thought. Sunsets, mojitos, and sandals—sure. Layers of foundation, powder & concealer—pass.

Which is exactly why we tapped one of New York City’s most prominent holistic facialists, Hanna Naranjo, to give us her solutions for naturally dewy, glowy, happy summer skin.

The first rule of summer skincare is wear sunscreen.

At the soothing Soho retreat Haven Spa, Naranjo changes her clients’ complexions (and their lives) with her balanced, natural approach to skincare and wellness. “My philosophy for the skin has always been less is more,” says Naranjo. “But no time is that more important than in the warm weather months.”

Check out her 4 easy tips for your skin’s best summer ever:

Use An Exfoliating Cleanser

Soap-based face wash will whisk away dirt and oil, which is fantastic. But according to Naranjo, one with gentle exfoliating acids—think glycolic, salicylic or fruit acids like Lime and Grapefruit—can actually loosen the dead cells that clog pores, cause blemishes and give you an overall dull look. “People hear ‘exfoliate’ and they think it needs to be a grainy scrub,” says the facialist. But those can be harsh. Try anacid-based cleanser (like Origins Zero Oil Deep Pore Cleanser with Salicylic Acid) for gentler but still effective exfoliation.

Get Antioxidants In The Mix

The first rule of summer skincare is wear sunscreen. But Naranjo thinks that pairing a great sunscreen with a topical antioxidant serum is a very close second. “Natural antioxidants such as Green Tea and Vitamin C are hydrating, soothing, brightening and they boost the effectiveness of your sun protection by scrounging up free radicals,” she says. Put your serum on after cleansing. Then layer your sunscreen on top. It takes almost no extra effort but majorly boosts your protection levels and helps fight signs of aging.

My philosophy for the skin has always been less is more.

Boost Your Regimen With Masks

Summer is good for the soul, but it can be tough on skin. See: windburn, sunburn, chlorine and sweat. Naranjo’s clients find themselves up against redness & irritation or excess oil & breakouts. Weekly treatments with cooling and hydrating masks with skin soothers like Aloe Vera can work wonders on red, inflamed skin. “Not only is Aloe Vera quenching, but it has a calming and healing quality, which can reduce inflammation,” she says. If hot weather plus muggy air means your oil production is thru the roof, go for a  clarifying Clay or Charcoal mask like Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask instead “They’ll purify your skin and draw out toxins without overdrying.”

Pick Up The Peels

We’ve all heard about the cucumber-slices-on-the-eyes trick to de-puff in a pinch. And it totally works! But Naranjo takes it to the next level. “I like smearing cucumber peels all over my face.” Cucumbers are full of antioxidants and flavinoids thought to reduce irritation. So rubbing the juice on clean skin can leave you looking refreshed, clear & bright.