Most of us have welcomed summer with a bang this year as heat waves peak across the country. With the warm temperatures, increased humidity and exposure to the sun’s rays, it’s highly likely that your skin is craving a fresh, summertime ritual to keep you glowing, revitalized, and ready to safely embrace this glorious season. Whether you are lounging poolside, or finding a shady reprieve in your backyard, we have rounded up some of our favourite PURA potions and lifestyle tips to keep you and your skin invigorated from the inside out. After so much time spent apart and indoors, it is time to have your glowiest summer yet!

1. SKINCARE 

A little extra TLC for your skin in the summertime will keep you looking your best, and at PURA, we make it easy for you to reap multiple benefits from a single potion. All of our plant-powered potions are designed to be used throughout the year, but there are several that are especially suited to the warmest season of them all. 

Overnight Watermelon Mask - One of our most popular year-round potions for instant glow and radiance, PURA’s Overnight Watermelon Mask is bursting with skin-brightening vitamins, extracts, and amino acids. Vitamin C can lighten sun spots, improve the skin’s overall texture, and can help with collagen production. Neroli improves the skin’s elasticity and stimulates cell renewal. Aloe vera, Roman chamomile and witch hazel all soothe, calm and nourish the skin, leaving it feeling supple and hydrated. Use it overnight as a sleeping beauty mask, a primer under make-up during the day, or a hydrating after-sun treatment. 

Overnight Garden Mask - A long-time client must-have for ultra skin therapy, this nutrient-dense, antibacterial formula was innovated for hormonal acne, eczema, scar repair, and hydration replenishment. It’s luscious green color and fresh botanical scent come from this mask’s botanical powerhouse ingredients: sweet basil, cooling cucumber extract, organic, antioxidant-rich spirulina, cold-pressed avocado oil and olive-derived squalane oil. Think of this mask as a topical juice cleanse for your skin - keep it in the fridge before applying to your skin for ultimate refreshing benefits on a hot day. 

Botanical Bloom Essence - This toner is a perfect way to revitalize your skin and senses throughout a hot summer’s day. Pack it in your purse for some refreshment on-the-go. Elevating the skin’s hydration with ultra-rich oils and nourishing humectants, this mist is also packed with aloe vera which reduces inflammation, locks in moisture and promotes healing from environmental damage.

Azure Dream Cloud - Does the heat and humidity of the summer have you craving the ‘less is more’ philosophy especially when it comes to skincare? PURA’s Azure Dream Cloud is formulated to be a light-weight, mattifying lotion and serum hybrid that exfoliates, preserves and regenerates the skin. Hyaluronic acid, brightening and tightening Vitamin C, and all-natural fruit acids found in bilberry and lemon extract, stimulate collagen production and firm the skin. Calming anti-inflammatory blue tansy oil helps to soothe irritations and redness. Japanese yuzu oil promotes antioxidant protection, neutralizing harmful free-radicals, which cause premature aging. Light and airy, this '2-in-1' serum and lotion is especially suitable for the ultimate summertime skincare ritual. 

PURA’s Gemstone Face Roller - PURA’s unique interchangeable head Gemstone Face Roller is a great addition to your summer skincare regimen. Increasing blood flow to the skin, experience an immediate glow post rolling. In the summer, keep your roller in the fridge or, for a quick cooldown, in a glass of ice (please do not put your roller in the freezer as it can damage the quartz) for an even more refreshing rolling experience. The rolling motion boosts elimination of accumulated tension, helps drain lymph nodes and accumulated fluid, ‘lifts’ your face and neck and helps to reduce dark circles and puffiness around the eye area. Almost nothing beats a cold roller on a hot day! 

2. SUNSCREEN

The most important thing you can do for your skin in the summer is to wear sunscreen. Speaking from experience, don’t forget the small areas of the skin such as the ears, neck, top of the feet, and have someone else apply it to the hard to reach areas of your back and shoulders since lotion coverage is key. As one our favourite interior designers, Holly Baker, puts it, “sunscreen is an investment in future Holly.” The damage from prolonged exposure to the sun is well documented, and while we don’t have a PURA Sunscreen (yet;), we have a few favourite clean sunscreen brands to recommend: 

• Coola Sunscreen - With a wide variety of face and body sunscreens, Coola makes skin-safe sunscreen fun and accessible. Our favourite formula is Coola’s BB Cream which is so lightweight, you forget you are wearing sunscreen!
• Suntegrity - A holistic, mineral sun care line that was awarded “Champion” Status by the EWG/Compact for Safe Cosmetics.

• Supergoop - With 40+ products, there is an SPF for everyone in the family! 

3. SUPPLEMENTS

Skincare is also nurtured from within and there are so many Canadian brands that are creating supplements to enhance your skin from the inside out. From capsules, to liquids, to powders, there are so many ways to incorporate skincare supplements into your daily routine. 

• Aura Inner Beauty -  A Calgary based start-up, Aura intentionally, “nourishes your beauty from within”. Their liquid collagen can be mixed with any beverage and is formulated with essential amino acids to nourish your skin, hair, and nails. 
• Blume - Creating organic, plant-based, functional blends for your cup, mug, smoothie, and oatmeal bowl, Blume offers a colourful range of powders to enhance your wellbeing. With blends like Rose London Fog, Chilli Turmeric, and Matcha Coconut, there is a fun and nutritious flavour for everyone. 
• Bend Beauty - Based in Nova Scotia, Bend creates premium beauty supplements that unlock your skin’s potential and optimize your skin health from the inside out. 

4. SWEAT

Getting outdoors in the summer is a great way to stay in shape and can help you regulate stress, build muscle and strong bones, increase your energy levels, and decrease inflammation as well as your risk for chronic diseases. In fact, studies have shown that even moderate, daily exercise can be beneficial for your skin because it promotes blood flow and helps your body produce antioxidants.* Best of all, getting outdoors is free - from walking, biking, hiking, running, swimming - there are ways to be active for everyone! If you are feeling unmotivated and need accountability, join a group or club that participates in a specific activity and as an added bonus, meet new friends!

*https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-exercise