Embracing Summer Radiance with My Italian Skin Care Secrets

Hello wonderful human, I’m so happy you are here with me.

Italy is hot at the moment, it’s July, I’m writing this at 6.45 in the morning (I love getting up early to have the silence and stillness to myself) and it’s already 24 degrees sunny!

Not having to think about the amount of layers I have to bring with me, or what bag to use because I have to fit, extra cardigan and umbrella, is such a relief!

I lived in Germany, New Zealand and the UK, visited and traveled across the world, sunbathed on Pacific Island and climbed on top of the Great Wall of China… Sorry not Sorry, but nothing beats Italy and the joy it gives me with its Mediterranean Seasons, and food of course.

Let’s be clear: there is no place like home, but you understand what beauty you have under your butt only when you’ve seen and appreciated all the other wonders that surround you.

I’m not here today to talk about this though, I’m here to share with you the routine and products I use to keep my skin happy, radiant and golden.

When I came back to Italy in 2020 Iacopo, my husband, and I were pretty much translucent, and we needed to be super careful with the scorching sun. Especially Iacopo with all his moles.

My dermatologist  recommended vitamins to prepare the skin and a sunscreen that I never heard of. Obviously it’s 3 times more expensive than the average one you find in supermarkets, but there is no comparison.

I went to the local herbalist’s shop, my favorite actually, Erboristeria Cittá Antica in Verona and they suggested Palmarancio®. It’s packed with natural Beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A), which helps with melanin formation. Since our epidermis naturally regenerates every 28 days, Palmarancio® is perfect for nourishing the skin during summer, giving it that healthy, radiant glow. Plus, it’s rich in antioxidants like carotenoids and tocotrienols, which can protect against free radicals – the main culprits behind skin aging.

Tackling Sunscreen Sticky Struggles at the Beach

Ok picture this: At the beach, preparing yourself for a wonderful relaxing day under the umbrella listening to the gentle crash of the waves. Like a diva you take off your cover ups and start spraying sunscreen on. As much as wanting to feel like a diva, you have to be a responsible one.

As soon as you finish covering every inch of your skin, you immediately feel like a well oiled piece of meat ready to be put on the BBQ.
It’s hot even in your bathing suit. You are sweaty, sticky and oily from the sunscreen, when all of sudden a gust of wind blows sand all over you. Now you are sweaty, oily and battered like a chicken. The perfect frying mix.

That is a true experience!

And you are allowed to laugh!

When I bought this new uber-expensive sunscreen brand, I was very hesitant as I thought that they were all the same and I was just wasting money. More or less greasy, re-apply every hour or so, price changes based if bought at supermarket or pharmacy.

Well I was wrong and I’m thankful to my dermatologist for introducing me us to this brand: ISDIN

As far as Sunscreen goes, once you’ll try this one, I promise you there is no going back.

It smells good, it’s not greasy AT ALL, it absorbs super fast when you spray it on, it feels refreshing and it protects your skin in the best way possible.
When you see the price you might think: “are you crazy?”, but there is no price on preventing skin rashes, burns, or even worst skin cancer just because our sunscreen gets “sweated away”.

Packing Essentials for Glowing Skin and be Travel-Ready Beauty

Apparently there is a routine in everything I do. I never knew I had one, and I discovered I’m a very meticulous person when it comes to packing for travels.

If I don’t have all my bits with me I feel a little lost. So I learned to take all my products with me in small spray bottles or containers. And just like that, every place I go feels like home.

I usually don’t wear a lot of makeup, and when I do I forget I have it on and rub my eyes with mascara! Don’t laugh 😆 I have caught myself in the middle of it way too late and already looked like a sad panda.

Gently cleansing your face from impurities, city pollution,dirt and dust gives the possibility for your skin to regenerate. Especially at night.

I love all products from Officine Santa Maria Novella which I find beautiful!

(I've added their European website and the US one for prices in Euro and Dollars EU Site - US site ) 
 

There are a few products I use from them:

• Make-up Remover, or as Italians call it Acqua Micellare ( EU Site - US site)
• Face wash ( EU Site - US Site)
• Acqua Di Rose ( EU Site - US Site).

The Acqua di Rose comes in a gorgeous glass bottle. It’s the perfect look to make you feel like a diva when you pick it up for your facial routine. 

Unfortunately it’s impractical if you want to take it with you while traveling.

I decided to transfer some of the product in a small spray bottle. This way I can spray it, after a shower, on my face and neck, and especially, this is my favorite thing to do, keep it in my purse and mist its gorgeous scent when I need to be refreshed anywhere I go.

Once the skin is clean I keep hydrated and protected with sunscreen. Iacopo always asks how many little face cream bottles a woman needs. What he doesn’t understand is that every little bottle is for a very specific area…he looks at me like I’m mad, but I love my ritual. It’s my “me time”.

My first step is with Eterea Supreme D&N Repair, designed to support the skin’s natural cell repair processes. It protects and replenishes the skin for all the damage caused by environmental factors, sun exposure, and pollution. It’s my skin primer! And It’s cruelty free! 🐇

Move onto Enchanted Eye Cream by Lush. For those that have puffy eyes or dark circles, with the magic of almond, it naturally lightens up the skin and it’s a wonderful de-puffer. And I confess, at times I use it as face cream. It’s light and easily absorbed. Perfect for the summer when you are sweating even from your eyebrows.

But if you are in need of some extra texture like me, because of delicate dry skin, a few taps of Enzymion by Lush will make your skin glow. I do carry away and I end up using it on neck, shoulders and sometimes arms. It smells like lemon, I can’t resist it!

Body Skincare Ritual. Everyday Essentials and Spa Days

My Every day Body Skincare Ritual is usually pretty easy and quick, unless I want to create my own spa day but for that I go in depth here. Since I learned about the amount of foaming agents or even antifreeze they pack in a product that are irritating for the skin, I decided to do my research and go with what is good for me.

My natural products guru Cristin, from Naturaleza, has opened up a new world to me of incredible products, like Eterea I mentioned above. We have to remember that the skin is our biggest organ and we have to take care of it as much as we care about our internal organs. Making sure that we wash it with natural ingredients is like eating organic fruit and veggies. What you put on the inside reflects on the outside, and the way you look after yourself on the outside radiates in the way you feel.

For summer Cristin suggested Solaris Shower Gel by Namalei

A rich and hydrating shower gel perfect for an after sun cuddle. I couldn't resist but get their shampoo as well. I don’t think I ever heard my husband saying how much he likes shampoo, and how soft and hydrated his hair felt before!

Husband test approved. Alessia super-happy too. When a product feels and smells like summer it’s a double win.

Body moisturizer plays a big role too. My skin is sensitive, delicate and burns easily. Fun, not so fun, fact: I have this thing with clothes tags. If they are synthetic or the sim is made of nylon thread, on my skin it feels like a razor. Therefore I chop them all off.

Hydration is important on the inside and out. We are walking cucumbers and we have to keep the fluids up to be happy.

Have you ever tried PuraVida Bio Body Milk? If not you are in for a sensory embrace. It’s light, absorbs easily, keeps the skin fresh and smells soooooo good. I’m not keen on sweet fragrances, anything with vanilla or chocolate are usually a big no for me.

These 3 are the ones that I love Body Milk Honey and Neroli, Body Milk Iris and Mimosa, Body Milk Geranium and Ylang Ylang

The Elixir of Youth and Beauty. Consistency and Care in Your Routine

Walking around an Italian city during the hot-hours is usually discouraged, but if I really have to, my rule of thumb is : put sunscreen on, no matter where you are going.  Sun is not only harmful for your skin but it can make it age quicker. It will appear dry, wrinkled and darker spots will appear if you are not careful. Personally I want to feel and look young, both on the inside and outside. I want to feel radiant and happy. I want my old-age-wrinkles to arrive as late as possible and be marks of smiles not damage.

I talk about my elixir of youth and beauty HERE. Don’t be surprised if you knew the steps all along. It’s just a matter of being consistent, disciplined and implementing those habits so they become second nature.

And have you got any secret routines for your skin? Let me know in a comment below. I can't wait to hear from you. 

Love,
Alessia  💕

Photos copyright ©Iacopo Di Luigi & Alessia Lugoboni