EXPERT ADVICE + product recommendations from local estheticians
By Lexi Reich
AS TEMPERATURES RISE and the sun graces us with its warmth, it’s time to reassess our skincare routines to ensure our skin stays healthy and glowing throughout the summer months. With longer days and increased UV exposure, our skin requires special attention to maintain its youthful glow and resilience against the elements. Whether you’re aiming to ward off wrinkles or achieve that coveted dewy freshness, we reached out to a panel of local skincare experts for their tips to ensure a radiant season ahead.
BASIC SKINCARE
Melanie Maestas, lead esthetician at Spavia Greenwood Village, emphasizes the importance of exfoliation, hydration and sun protection as the cornerstone of a summer skincare regimen.
“The best way to overhaul your skincare regimen for the summer is to exfoliate, hydrate and protect,” she advises. She recommends using a cleanser enriched with vitamin C and glycolic acids for gentle daily exfoliation. For a deeper exfoliation, she suggests the FarmHouse Fresh Thyme Swipe peel pads, containing a blend of chemical exfoliants that help to gently dissolve dead skin cells—ideal for achieving a fresh, dewy look before a special occasion.
“Always drink a lot of water,” Maestas says. “It helps to keep those fresh, new skin cells plump.”
Alana MacKinnon, senior skin therapist at Heyday University Hills, believes in a clean and simple skincare routine, focusing on hydration and gentle cleansing for a dewy fresh complexion. She recommends One Love Organics Botanical B Enzyme Cleansing Oil for its vitamin E content and fruit enzymes, which gently resurface the skin for a bright, glowing appearance. Following cleansing, MacKinnon suggests using a toner to rebalance the skin and add moisture. In the mornings, she advocates for the use of a vitamin C serum to protect the skin from free radicals and improve overall skin tone.
FIGHT DAMAGE + AGING
Experts agree on the importance of incorporating antioxidant serums and SPF into your summer routine. Maestas highlights the FarmHouse Fresh Vitamin C Booster as a lightweight antioxidant serum that protects the skin from free radicals and imparts a healthy glow. She advises following up with a broad-spectrum SPF, such as FarmHouse Fresh’s SPF 30 with vitamin C, E and B3, which not only protects against UV damage but also helps reduce wrinkles. The new tinted formula offers the convenience of skipping makeup while ensuring sun protection.
Like Maestas, MacKinnon emphasizes the crucial role of sunscreen in protecting the skin from the aging effects of UV radiation. Citing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, she notes that up to 90 percent of visible skin changes attributed to aging are caused by the sun. Therefore, wearing sunscreen daily is non-negotiable for maintaining youthful, healthy-looking skin.
NIGHTTIME ROUTINE
For nighttime skincare, MacKinnon stresses the importance of thoroughly removing makeup and sunscreen with a double cleanse. “Don’t cheat yourself by using a makeup wipe; it will not be enough to remove all the residue,” she emphasizes. Instead, she recommends using an oil cleanser or micellar water followed by a more active cleanser like the Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser, formulated to combat dehydration and hyperpigmentation.
In short, a comprehensive summer skincare routine involves exfoliation, hydration, antioxidant protection and diligent sun protection. These research-backed strategies, combined with expert advice, can guide you toward a regimen that ensures your skin remains radiant throughout the warm
months ahead.
Spavia Greenwood Village
4930 S. Yosemite St. D2
Greenwood Village
303.221.0068
greenwoodvillageco.spaviadayspa.com
Heyday University Hills
2770 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 120
Denver
720.242.8745
