The Skin Nerd: Summer skincare essentials for any budget

Clear your shelves for the pick of this season’s essential skincare products

Pic: iStock

SPF

SPF doesn’t have to be expensive; what we expect from a pricier one is extras, such as blue light filters or possibly more sophisticated skin-perfecting actives for a radiant finish. The main priorities are a high level of protection (no less than SPF30) and one you like, as it should be applied every two hours, every single day.

Boots Soltan’s offering is a great, low-cost option for those with sensitive skin and also contains niacinamide to support hydration. Murad is a professional skincare brand that I adore, and this sunscreen offers indoor and outdoor protection, with blue light filters (that’s the light emitted from digital devices) and leaves a soft, peachy tint that helps to colour correct any unevenness in the skin and boost radiance.

• Save: Boots Soltan Hydrating Sensitive Protect Facial Suncare Cream with Niacinamide SPF50 (€7, boots.ie)
• Splurge: Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 | PA++++ (€74, murad.com and theskinnerd.com)

Body exfoliator

Regular readers of my column will know that I always recommend avoiding gritty exfoliators for the face. They are suitable for use on the body, unless you have sensitive skin or an impaired barrier, due to a condition such as eczema. As well as being key for getting your limbs smooth and silky, they promote shedding of dead skin, which is essential for fake tan prep. Aveeno Skin Gentle Body Scrub contains nourishing oat and naturally-derived PHA (polyhydroxy acid) to gently exfoliate and smooth rough and bumpy texture, as well as helping to address uneven skin tone and dullness. Origins Peace of Mind Exfoliating Body Scrub is ideal for rough-textured skin; it contains bamboo to smooth skin, walnut shell to gently buff away rough texture, and a blend of peppermint, basil, and eucalyptus essential oils to trigger feelings of calm serenity in your very own spa-throom.

• Save: Aveeno Skin Gentle Body Scrub (€11.99, available in grocery retailers and pharmacies nationwide)
• Splurge: Origins Peace of Mind Exfoliating Body Scrub (€34, origins.com)

Hydrating serum

It may be hot, but that’s no reason to put up with parched patches of dry skin. A consistent skincare routine is important all year long, so have a hydrating serum in your regime. Byoma Hydrating Serum is a fab find for those who like their skincare light and fuss-free. This ultra-lightweight, moisture-boosting serum is enriched with Tri-Ceramide Complex (ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids) combined with a powerhouse pairing of squalane and glycerin (to replenish skin’s moisture levels). This serum delivers a surge of instant hydration to help tackle trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). Representing the higher end of the price scale, IMAGE Skincare Vital C Hydrating Anti-Ageing Serum contains a cocktail of skin-boosting ingredients, including a vitamin C complex to help dull the appearance of dark spots, discoloration, and uneven skin tone, hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate skin, palmitoyl oligopeptide, a reparative peptide, and green-tea extract for an antioxidant boost. I especially recommend this serum for anyone looking to tone down any redness in the skin.

• Save: Byoma Hydrating Serum (€16.99, boots.ie)
• Splurge: IMAGE Skincare Vital C Hydrating Anti-Ageing Serum (€81, imageskincare.ie and theskinnerd.com)

Setting spray

A setting spray is an ideal way to complete your makeup and helps extend its wear for longer. The Beauty Crop one has been trending on TikTok, thanks to its lightweight formula and dewy finish. Skinthusiasts like me will also love that it contains vitamin C and cherry extract to keep your hydration levels balanced. If you’re willing to invest more, the newly-launched Vieve Invisveil Setting Spray is packed with glycerin, niacinamide, and citric acid to enliven the complexion while locking your makeup in place. It can also be applied with a damp sponge and used throughout the day to refresh your look.

• Save: The Beauty Crop Oui Cherie Dual-Phase Setting Mist (€15, boots.ie)
• Splurge: Vieve Invisveil Setting Spray (€32, brownthomas.ie)

Instant tan

You can probably guess what I am about to say here, but in the name of skin health, I will repeat myself: the only safe tan is a fake one. Luckily, it’s 2024 and the market is bursting with sophisticated formulas that do a marvellous job of adding warmth without any risk. Bare by Vogue Instant Tan, is a light, easy-to-apply formula that develops into a rich, natural-looking colour that washes off. The advanced formula is enriched with beneficial super peptides to smooth, plump, firm, and improve skin elasticity. Tan Organic Instant Tan Matte is akin to a body foundation that dries quickly and leaves an airbrushed finish. Enriched with antioxidants and hydrators, this tan also nurtures the skin, helping to avoid those telltale dry patches that threaten to expose the origins of your glow-up.

• Save: Bare by Vogue Instant Tan (€19, theskinnerd.com)
• Splurge: Tan Organic Instant Tan Matte (€32, tanorganic.com, theskinnerd.com)

Summer scent

A go-to summer scent helps extend your holiday memories with each spritz. Sol de Janeiro has revolutionised the fragranced spritz market and I particularly like Sol de Janeiro Limited Edition Summer E Amor Perfume Mist, which contains notes of orange flower, creamy almond and sun-kissed woods. Spritz all over the body and chill like you’re in Brazil. If you’re looking for a splurge, Loewe Paula’s Ibiza Cosmic Eau de Parfum is a fresh scent that encapsulates the tropical allure and warmth of the Balearic Islands through notes of pear, mango and coconut cream.

• Save: Sol de Janeiro Limited Edition Summer E Amor Perfume Mist (€24, boots.ie)
• Splurge: Loewe Paula’s Ibiza Cosmic EDP (€123, brownthomas.com)

S.O.S. product

Restorative intensive moisturisers are always good to keep on hand for any skin-mergencies. Aveeno Face Calm and Restore Re-Hydrating Night Cream is a bargain buy and helps to soothe and repair sensitive skin overnight. Award-winning Skingredients Skin Good Fats Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturiser is a ceramide barrier balm that replenishes the skin’s essential fats, vitamins and goodness to bring equilibrium to your skin. Featuring skin-native lipid ceramide NP, shea butter glycerides and grapeseed oil, Skin Good Fats is packed with good fats and a clinically-proven, patented anti-irritation ingredient to stop those itches.

• Save: Aveeno Face Calm and Restore Re-Hydrating Night Cream (€11.99, boots.ie and leading pharmacies).
• Splurge: Skingredients Skin Good Fats Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturiser (€55, skingredients.com and leading pharmacies).