Love the Skin You're In

Having beautiful skin is Step One to summer success. The team here at bellabox wants to do all we can to help your skin be as perfect as possible - so we are continuing  on our series of Summer Essentials Guides. As a skin S.O.S. we have The Summer Essentials Guide to Perfect Skin.

Perfect skin may feel like an impossible dream - but dreaming can become reality if you follow these tips to a toned, supple body surface. It is essential to identify your biggest skin concerns to make transformation easier. To help you along the way, bellabox is showing you a number of common skin problems that plague every woman - and of course giving savvy solutions!

Problem #1: Dull is Disastrous

Dull skin is often caused by a build-up of dead cells, causing your face and décolletage to develop a rough texture and a clouded appearance. So what to do to become luminescent once more?

Solution #1:  Scrub a Dub Dub

A good facial scrub helps exfoliate and clear the skin’s surface of dead and dusty cells. The naturally occurring exfoliating enzymes in the papaya and pineapple Elemis PPreview postapaya Enzyme Peel will smooth out, brighten and clarify the complexion.  Alpha-H Gentle Daily Exfoliant boasts a unique skin renewal formula that will wake up your face in no time at all. The stimulating and exfoliating wakame (Japanese sea algae) in the One Skin System Active Scrub C is a powerful antioxidant that rejuvenates and refreshes the skin. The dry formula of this product is activated with water to polish and slough off your tired, dull skin. Get smoother skin to flaunt this summer just by taking time out to gently scrub!

Problem #2: Carrying Too Much Baggage?

There are many rotten reasons why we suffer from the dread and doom of under-eye bags and wrinkles. It may be hereditary, too much sodium in your diet, or being rough with the skin under your eyes when applying makeup - or removing it. Renowned makeup artist Lisa Eldridge explains some of the causes and suggests treatments to target this pesky problem.

Solution #2:  An Eyessential Effort

Even if you are getting enough shut-eye every night, you are not guaranteed glamtastic eyes of a morning.  Alpha-H's Absolute Eye Complex provides an instant pick-me-up, reducing puffiness, dark circles and the appearance of fine lines. The cucumber and hibiscus flower formula is the perfect treatment for dehydration in the delicate under-eye areas - wonderfully soothing and refreshing on a hot summer day!

Problem #3:  As Dry as Dust

The moisturiser you’re currently using might not give your skin the hydration that it needs. Maybe the steamy summer season is taking its toll?  Whatever the initial cause, dry skin is ageing and unattractive, so how do we get that youthful dewiness back?

Solution #3:  Make it a Misty Morning!

Moisturise, moisturise and moisturise! Try a lightweight but intense day cream like erborian's YUZA SORBET Day Moisturiser. The secret saviour in this moisturiser is the yuza - a South Korean beauty gem that is rich in Vitamic C, acting as a barrier to prevent free radicals and environmental elements from damaging skin while strengthening and firming the complexion. For all-day hydration, try Kosmea's Hydrating Rosewater Mist.  Spritz this fine facial mist to cool down heated and hurting skin when you're stuck in an air-conditioned environment, or facing yet another fiesta - its handy dandy size makes it a perfect handbag helper...

Problem #4:  Too Much Sun Shining In!

If you are sparing with the SPF Factor, not only are you going to look older than your years, but risk the chances of melanoma - this is one of the most serious issues your skin has to face in the harsh Aussie sun.

Solution #4:  Factor In Some Protection

Time-poor?  Use a multi-tasking product! The best-selling cult product BB Crème au Ginseng from erborian combines moisturiser, foundation and sun protection with SPF 25+.  Slip, slop and slap this fabulous all-in-one on for a flawless, makeup-free look that lasts throughout the hot summer days and long into the sultry summer nights.

If you want to be all green, all the time, then Soléo Organics All Natural Sunscreen is an excellent organic sun care solution.  Not containing any chemical UV absorbers, titanium dioxide or synthetic preservatives,  Soléo is an amazing alternative to synthetic based sunscreens.  It is water resistant, low irritant and smell-neutral - and best of all it is Aussie-made!

Environmentally excellent from the packaging to the product,  Soléo is 100% biodegradable and packed full of botanical brilliance. Instead of going for summer gold - go green!

Taking correct care of your skin is the most basic step to looking great this summer. Target your skin concerns with bb's recommendations and you'll be skin-perfect and polished all season!