How to Keep your Skin Hydrated (This Summer)

Most people assume that if you have combination oily skin, then there is no way your skin can be dehydrated. Well, that’s an absolute myth because my skin feels very dehydrated during summer or when the temperature goes up. I drink a lot of water to help ensure my skin is hydrated from the inside and I feel this is super important if you want to see any sensible changes. However, I also use some skincare products to help optimise these results and maintain hydration for a longer time. I still top up my water consumption throughout the day.  Today, I am going to share with you some products that have helped my skin maintain its hydration this Summer and I think they would work for different skin types.

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum*// £22.50 // Link

If you are a beauty blogger, there is a high chance you would have seen or heard about this lovely Vichy Aqualia Thernal Serum. It was kindly sent to me to try out and I have really been impressed with its results over these past few weeks.  I could not pass up a chance to talk about it because it is amazing and a full review will be up soon. One of the things that stood out for me was its texture.. It is slightly liquidey/ runny and it feels really light on application. I feel like I notice an instant hydrating effect on my skin once I apply it and it sinks in beautifully. I find that some products sink in and disappear without leaving any hydrating effects but that’s not the case with the Vichy Aqualia Serum. It sinks in well to pave the way for the rest of my skincare products while keeping my skin hydrated. I really enjoy everything about this product especially its beautiful packaging. It just feels so refreshing to use especially during summer and it’s one I have really enjoyed. If you have dry and dehydrated skin, this is one serum you would really enjoy using especially during this season.

The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturiser*// £16 // Link // Review

I have already spoken about this before so I would try not to ramble. I think this may be one of the best refreshing moisturisers I have tried. It is enriched with Vitamin C derived from Camu Camu Berries (60 times more vitamin C than oranges) and it feels very refreshing once it hits the skin. I love the gel-like texture which I feel helps keep the skin really hydrated. The plus side with this moisturiser is that it also adds a nice glow to the skin  at the same time which makes it a dual purpose product. It’s a firm favourite in my skin care stash and one I would definitely repurchase when it runs out.

La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra Fluid*// £17.50 // Link

This is also a new product for me and I am still trialling it. However, I can give a mini first impression/initial review because I have been testing it for a around two weeks now. I first heard about this from Amelia Liana’s blog and I added it to my wish list to trial at some point. I am always a fan of really light non-greasy formula which still keep my skin hydrated and plump. The La Roche Posay Toleriane has a really light formula such that it can even be used as an eye cream. It feels like serum-moisturiser hybrid and it applies really smoothly. I use this mainly at night because I feel its effects are heightened when my skin is resting so it can do its magic. A full review will be up shortly so stay tuned for it.

E45 Moisturising Lotion// £5.99 // Link

Once upon a time, I hated moisturisers so much because many of them felt greasy and they seemed to just sit on top of my skin. I am pretty lucky that my skin is not terribly dry so I could get away with not using any body cream.  I came across E45 in Boots because it was on offer and the packaging seemed almost clinical. I have not looked back since then and I have repurchased it several times. It is one of the best moisturisers I have tried for because it is pretty basic and effective. If you have allergies or your skin reacts to fragrance, this is one I recommend because it is simple as you can get. It feels very moisturising and hydrating without any grease. Its absorbing power is incredible and you can still feel its effect during the course of the day.

La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water*// £7.50 // Link

I have always thought that these face mists were just another way to make us pay for some water. Now that I have tried quite a few mists form various brands I can say that I am a convert. I think many face mists work well (and sometimes in the same way) but I always look out for mists that dispense the product evenly. If you have an amazing product in a bad or difficult packaging, it diminishes its effectiveness in my books. The La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water* is one of my favourites of the lot mainly because it is derived from the famous LRP Thermal Springs and the mist is evenly distributed. I tried to capture how it is dispensed to show you how it looks in real life but my camera was acting up. It evenly distributes the mist in a way that only one pump/click is enough to cover your face. It does not drip at all and it is not difficult to dispense which is why it is one of the top mists I have tried.  My face feels instantly refreshed and I have absolutely enjoyed using it. I think I may have to invest in the mini version because it would be handy for taking out and about in my handbag.


Do you remember a few Wednesdays ago which was tagged the hottest day in London (it was about 33-34 degrees Celsius)? This product saved my face. I kept spritzing my face and it felt so refreshing and it helped me eventually relax and sleep. I have tried it with my makeup on and it helps refresh my makeup although I can’t say if it helps with its longevity. I now use this during the day and the La Roche Posay Serozinc* at night and they both work amazingly well with my skin.

Hydrating Primers// Link Here 

If you are going to wear makeup, especially foundation, during summer, it is always important to use a primer. I prefer to use a hydrating primer which would help keep my skin hydrated and my foundation last longer. Two of my favourite primers are the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer and the Becca Rejuvenating Primer. They both work so well during summer but I tend to use the Laura Mercier version more for day time because its texture feels lighter than the Becca primer. The Becca offering has more of a moisturiser feeling but it still feels quite hydrating so I opt for this primer for night outs or evening events. I think it is so important to invest in a good primer especially during summer of you don’t want your foundation or makeup to slip off your face.

La Roche Posay Lipikar Xerand Hand Cream// £5.00 // Link

I made a very last minute order from Escentual just before they ended their 1/3^rd off French Skincare offer in June (I will show you what I bought in another haul). I had heard about the Lipikar range which is designed for very dry skin and I was keen to try their hand cream. I already mentioned I can’t classify my skin as being very dry but my hands are super dry. I have tried many hand creams and only few have lived up to expectations. One of the few is the La Roche Posay Lipika Xerand Hand Cream.  I would not particularly say it has transformed my hands to being soft but there is a noticeable difference. I feel it works best immediately after I wash my hands as it is designed to help trap moisture which by creating a barrier. I really like it and I always use it whenever my hands are playing up especially during Summer. If you have really dry hands, this is one I would recommend trying.

Overall Thoughts
I am so happy I have discovered a mini arsenal of products to help me keep up hydration levels in my skin. It could be really tricky finding the right balance of products that you can reach for every now and then that you are sure work for you. I am sure different things work for different people but I hope you can find some products that help you within my stash. That's it folks!! What products help you maintain hydration this summer?...xx
*PR Samples + Affiliate Links, read my full disclaimer here.