During summer I change up my skin care regimen to an easier routine. This is my vacation time and I often end up spending parts of it traveling and visiting with friends and family away from home. Based on where I am going and what time of year it is I have some seasonal skincare regimens that always work. 

When flying or spending some nights away it is always challenging to pack as I’m such a product junkie and have to leave many of my favorite products at home. This is my summer routine; it is simple using fewer products than normally, but is yet very effective:  

1. Humidity, heat, salt water, chlorine and air-conditioner all take a toll on the skin so I use a corrective cleanser with salicylic acid to get rid of excess oil and heavy sunscreens. Kerstin Florian Complete Daily Cleanser is my favorite, a 3 in 1 eye make up remover, cleanser and toner.
2.  During the summer I love to treat the skin with vitamin C serum as it gives extra protection from the environment, filter the UV light and fight those free radicals that cause premature aging. A bonus is that collagen production is stimulated and will result in firmer skin as well. Love Transderma R, a fantastic C serum enhanced with resveratrol that address hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone.
3. I also switch to a more lightweight moisturizer with spf for daytime; Kerstin Florian Multivitamin SPF 30 is my all-time favorite. For nighttime I use Intraceuticals Moisture Binding Crème containing low, medium and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid that lock in moisture and keep skin hydrated and plump.
4. An enzyme peel or mud masque once or twice a week take care of jet-lagged skin, to much fun and to little sleep. Kerstin Florian Moor Mud  and Osmosis Polish gently exfoliates, tightens and give skin instant glow.
5. Monthly facials that soothe sensitivity, address dehydration and keep pores clean are also a must during summer. Deep cleansing facials and microdermabrasion facials are the best way to get pores clean in a way you can’t do on your own as they remove stubborn dead skin cells that clog the pores. Alternating with pure Oxygen Facials that infuse skin with low weight hyaluronic acid will bring moisture to the deeper layer of the epidermis, hydrate sunburned skin and bring the healthy glow right back.

Of course also all the healthy, fresh produce that summer brings do wonders for the skin. Daily I make an organic, green smoothie and add some of the natural beauty foods with high water content that hydrates skin from the inside out, e.g.: watermelon, strawberries, grapefruit, cantaloupe and peaches and for vegetables cucumber, lettuce, zucchini, radish and celery.

Here is my summer smoothie recipe:

In a magic bullet blender mix 50/50 fruits and veggies, add spring or coconut water, a few slices of an organic frozen banana, a slice of fresh ginger and sometimes hemp hearts and chia seeds for protein.  This is my absolute favorite way to start a hot summer day.

WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY SUMMER!