The countdown has begun. After months of Zoom calls in a nice-top-and-pyjama-bottoms, and only leaving the house to go to the supermarket, the end of lockdown is in sight. Summer 2021 looks like it’s going to be normal. Bars will open, we’ll be able to see – even hug – our friends, and go on long-anticipated holidays.  

While we are all feeling excited about having a fun and carefree summertime, going back to a fast-pace life after months of hibernation can feel a little daunting. So, we’ve put together a list of simple tips to help you re-enter society feeling like the best version of you.

1. Look after your mind 

In a recent interview, psychologist Dr Svirydzenka empathized with people who are feeling apprehensive about life going back to normal. She explained that we have all formed new habits during lockdown: "It will definitely take time to adjust (much like it took us time to adjust to living in lockdown). So, no matter how exciting and hopeful, changes and new opportunities can always give us a sense of apprehension."

It's important to be kind to yourself as you deal with this period of change, as Dr Svirydzeka notes: “Being accepting and non-judgemental with yourself and others as you go through this process will be crucial."

Apps like Headspace and Calm can also be useful. These mindfulness tools aim to make you more aware of the present moment, helping you to soothe feelings of stress or anxiety, and relax. 

2. Put on your trainers

Exercise is nature’s medicine. Whether you’re feeling excited or nervous about lockdown lifting, regularly incorporating movement into your week goes a long way to boost wellbeing. In fact, research shows that people who exercise report feeling a huge 50% happier than those who don’t. 

There are loads of different forms of exercise out there, but it’s important to find a routine that you enjoy. Otherwise, working out will feel like a chore – and that’s no fun. Here are a few workouts we love at Skin Woof HQ for inspiration: 

• Long walks or runs outdoors 
• YouTube HIIT workouts (perfect if you don’t have a gym membership!)
• Weight training
• Exercise classes like Zumba

3. Give your skin some TLC

Looking after yourself is a sure-fire way to increase your confidence and make you feel summer ready. Having a morning and evening skincare routine is an important part of this. Make sure to cleanse, tone, apply serum and moisturize twice a day. 

If you’re planning on sunbathing this summer, you should also use sunscreen. This contains Sun Protection Factor (SPF), which stops the sun from damaging your skin. To boost your tan, try our Skin Woof Tan Enhancing Vitamins. 

4. Eat well 

Another essential part of looking after yourself is fuelling your body with the nutrients it needs to keep healthy. A diet that is rich is vegetables and fruits can improve your energy, boost your mood and help prevent any deficiencies or illness. This is because these foods contain important vitamins and minerals that are vital for healthy body functions.

Of course, as the world opens up again and life becomes busier, it may become trickier to get your five a day in every day. This is where a multi-vitamin can help. These tablets contain a concentrated dose of the vitamins and mineral found in fruit and veg, so you can stay well on the go. 

And that’s it! Our round-up of the four top ways to keep yourself healthy as we enter the new season. 

We hope you have a wonderful summer 🌻

Skin Woof team x

Great skin starts with a great skincare routine. But there are so many products out there, it can be hard to know what to use and when. The traditional motto of cleanse, tone and moisturise simply doesn’t cover it.  

Face serums, in particular, have risen up the ranks as a must-have beauty product in recent years. Beauty experts, skincare influencers and dermatologists are full of praise for their miracle-like powers.

But what exactly is all the buzz about, and do you need to incorporate a serum into your beauty regimen?

To help you understand more about what facial serums are and how they work, we’ve compiled together a list of FAQs.

What is a face serum?

Let’s start with the basics. A face serum is a liquid-based skincare product that is applied directly on to skin. Unlike a moisturizer, which tends to be creamier and sits on top of the skin, serums are made up of tiny molecules that absorb deeply. These molecules are packed full of beneficial nutrients.

What does serum do?

Serums are a way to supercharge your skincare routine and go one step further in giving your skin some TLC. Their powerful ingredients can tackle numerous skin concerns – from dullness and acne to signs of aging.

There are so many serums out there! How do I pick one?

Serums can be expensive, so you want to make sure that you pick one that really delivers on its promise. Good serums tend to have a few basic ingredients in common, including:

- Hyaluronic acid: This potent ingredient breathes moisture into dry, parched skin. It leaves skin nourished, plumped and reduces fine lines.

- Vitamin C: Brightening vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. As well as improving dewiness, it protects the skin from environmental damage.

- Retinol (Vitamin A): Retinol gives skin a youthful appearance by stimulating cell turnover and encouraging skin to shed dead cells. It also promotes the production of collagen, which leads to plumper skin.

As well as keeping these ingredients in mind, you should look for a serum that addresses your specific skincare goals. Usually, serums advertise their main benefit on the bottle. If you’re looking for a serum to boost radiance and give you a dewy glow, for example, then we’ve got you covered.

How do I use serum?

It’s recommended to add your serum to both your morning and evening skincare routine. Because a serum is lighter than moisturizer and absorbs into the skin quickly, it should be applied after you’ve cleansed your skin, but before you moisturize. In fact, moisturizing after your serum helps to lock in the ingredients. 

To apply it, use clean fingertips in light upward strokes. Only a small amount is needed to cover your full face. You should also be careful when using serums around the eye area. The skin around the eye is much thinner than the rest of the face, which is why there are unique products for under the eye. 

So, there you have it, everything you need to know about face serums. As you can see, this powerful product is definitely one to add to your skincare routine.

Lockdown isn’t easy, both on our mental wellbeing and our physical health. There are plenty of signs that the lack of fresh air and the only too tempting array of sweet and naughty treats at home, are taking their toll. 

One part of us that shows the strain is our skin. Whilst it can be hard to cover over any skin problems, particularly dry and dull skin, the good news is that you can do a few things to help your skin. 

Best of all, with more time to yourself, you can actually start to think about the best ways to take care of your skin whilst you are locked down at home. 

To help inspire you and to show you the way, we have put together our guide to some of the best ways to look after your skin during lockdown and ensure that you emerge looking amazing. 

Break-up with makeup

Even if you are working from home and relying on Teams meetings to speak to colleagues, the temptation can be from time to time to pop on a face of makeup ready to appear online. Of course, you don’t want to look terrible on a video call, but believe us, most people won’t be paying that much attention. This means that if you can, ditch the makeup and give your skin a much needed rest. 

At the same time, whilst you are not applying makeup on a daily basis, then you can take the opportunity to wash your brushes and ensure that they are as clean as they can be. Ready for when the world does go back to normal and you have to be seen in public again. 

Drink water like it was going out of fashion

We know that we need to drink as much water as possible, but it is easier said than done. Remind yourself that you need to drink plenty of water every single day. By keeping hydrated you are helping your skin to stay moisturised and to absorb the added creams and lotions that you may pop on your skin. 

Take skincare supplements

No matter how hard you try, there are times when your skin just needs a bit of an extra helping hand to look as good as you want it to. This means that a great way to provide extra help is with skincare supplements. These are designed to give yours skin everything that it needs in an easy and quick way. 

If you want to make sure that you are ready to face the world again when the time comes, then why not take a look at our range of skin supplements. We take skin care seriously and we want to make sure that you not only look amazing, but that you feel amazing too! 

There is no denying that you are going to want to take good care of your skin; which means that you are going to try and find ways to make sure that your skin looks the best that it can. Most of the time you are likely to think that the best approach to take is with skin creams and lotions; however, you might not realise that another effective way to help to boost your skin is with supplements.

One supplement which is definitely worth trying out for yourself is Marine Collagen. But, what is Marine Collagen and why is it something that is so worth taking?

What is Marine Collagen?

Collagen is something that has definitely become somewhat of a buzz word in skincare. We all know that Collagen is something that helps our skin to look radiant and to feel great. But, how do we get more of it?

This is where Collagen supplements come in. The majority of Collagen supplements come from four main sources; cows, pigs, chickens and fish. The Collagen that is taken from the cows, pigs and chickens is known to be a cheaper variety than the Marine Collagen.

Fish Collagen is known to be absorbed into the skin much quicker than any other form of Collagen, which means that if you want a supplement that is going to get to work; then you should definitely think about trying out Marine Collagen for yourself.

The benefits of Marine Collagen

So, what makes this form of Collagen such a great idea for your skin? There are several reasons for this and here are some of the best ones.

It supports your skin

Your skin needs Collagen in order to look as healthy and youthful as possible. Therefore, it makes sense that taking a Collagen supplement is exactly what your skin is going to need to look its best.

It minimises wrinkles

Wrinkles are the last thing that you want to appear on your skin; the good news for you is that Marine Collagen is going to absolutely help you to battle the signs of ageing. It helps your skin to renew its moisture stores and also retain as much of the moisture that it already has.

It helps with healing

Collagen is so effective at helping your skin to repair and rejuvenate itself that it is sometimes used in external bandages. When you have this in mind, it comes as no surprise that you are going to want to replenish your stores of Collagen in order to help your skin to heal and recover.

It boosts protein and amino acids

Another great thing about Marine Collagen is that it contains a high level of protein too. Protein is what your body needs in order to stay as strong and healthy as possible. Which is not only good news for your skin, but also much deeper down too.

As you can see, there are plenty of reasons why Collagen supplements should be your next addition to your skincare routine. Why not check it out for yourself and see if it can help your skin to look its best and let you feel your best too?

Learn about the Marine Collagen in Skin Woof Collagen Beauty Drink

Summer will soon be coming to an end but that doesn’t mean that you have to wave goodbye to that sun-kissed glow! Whether you have been away on a holiday or managed to get a tan here in the UK - we are pretty sure you don’t want it to fade away any time soon. Below we have listed five tips to help you prolong your tan and stay bronzed for months!

1. Moisturise

This is probably the most important tip that will make your tan stay even and last longer. You need to make sure that your skin doesn’t get dry because once it starts to peel, it just won’t stop. To avoid the peeling process, you have to wear sunscreen and hydrate your skin (that includes drinking lots of water)! Slather on after-sun, rich body lotions and oils as frequently as you like, there is no such thing as too much moisturising.

2. Exfoliate

It is super important to exfoliate before you go on a holiday - your skin will be well prepared for the sunbathing, resulting in an even, glowing tan. We also recommend gently exfoliating your body once a week after the holiday. It will help maintain your tan, remove dead skin cells and make your tan fade away evenly and not in patches. Exfoliating is also an important first step before fake tan application.

3. Fake it

Topping up your natural tan with a good quality fake tan is a great idea as it will give your skin colour a huge boost! Nowadays there are so many options on the market, from gradual self-tanner lotions, to tanning waters and tanning mousses. Just take your pick! And don’t forget about your face; bronzers are a must have in your make up bag!

4. Avoid very hot baths and showers.

Whilst it does feel nice and relaxing to soak in a hot bath it can actually really dehydrate your skin and kickstart the peeling process. To avoid dry and flaky skin stick to cool water temperature and use a moisturising body wash.

5. Nutrition

You can also help your skin maintain that lovely glow form within. Eat plenty of sun-coloured fruits and veggies such as sweet potatoes, oranges, carrots. Our Skin Woof Tan Enhancing Vitamins are able to provide many nutrients which help your body maintain it's tan for longer. Our vitamins are a blend of natural minerals and botanicals that have been designed to help the body produce more melanin. Our formula also helps reduce excess UV stress on the skin and sun damage, all whilst assisting the skin in producing a natural bronze colour and making your tan last longer.

Here they are, our top 5 tips that will help you maintain that beautiful bronzed glow. We hope that you have a wonderful rest of the summer and make the most of the sunny days ahead.

Lots of love,

Skin Woof x

Who doesn’t love a good cuddle? Not only is a great way to show affection for someone that you care about, but it can also make us feel pretty awesome too. Whilst the basic feel good factor of cuddling is obvious, science has shown that there are plenty of other reasons that you should indulge in a cuddle or two.  

To help inspire you to get cuddling, we have put together 6 incredible benefits that you may not have even known come with a bit of a snuggle.

Cuddling makes you feel good

When you cuddle someone, your body is triggered into releasing oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone that is known to make you feel pretty great, as well as connected to those other people around you. Oxytocin is not only going to make you feel great, but the release of this hormone also has an impact on a number of other things too.  

Cuddling boosts your immune system

When your body release oxytocin, it also releases a number of other hormones that will help you fight infection. These hormones give your immune system a boost and because you feel so good and healthy, you are going to feel too healthy and happy to get sick. Along with a boost to your immune system, these hormones also have a healing power on your skin too, making sure that you are glowing and radiant with beautiful healthy skin.  

Cuddling can relieve pain

Have you ever had a bad neck, or other muscle in your body? If you have, then chances are that you have given it a rub to help it to feel better. This act of touching the part of your body is going to release that all magical oxytocin, which is known to decrease your pain level and make you feel great. Imagine being able to do this over your entire body? A cuddle will help the entire body to release oxytocin and get rid of all those aches and pains.  

Cuddling reduces stress

We all live in a world now whereby we feel stressed on a regular basis. It could be work, it could be family, it could be financial commitments. All these things can make you feel stressed out and a little down in the dumps. A cuddle is a simple way to make sure that you feel good and best of all, it doesn’t cost a thing.  

Cuddling strengthens your relationships

It can be hard when life is busy, but working on our relationships is something that we should all make more of an effort to do. The great thing about cuddling is that it is not only a simple way to bring you both together, but it has a huge positive impact on your mental and physical health too. A cuddle shows the other person that you care and that you want to take the time out to indulge in some physical contact.  

Cuddling can help you to sleep

You should never underestimate the power of a good night's sleep. So, anything that you can do to make sure that you get some good sleep is definitely worth a try. A cuddle before you head off to bed is going to make sure that you are feeling in just the right state for sleep, free of stress, free of anxiety and much more relaxed too.  

There is nothing quite like a cuddle. Whether it is on the sofa, in bed, or wherever you can grab one, make sure that you make an effort to grab those who mean the most to you for a snuggle. We can promise you that not only will it make you feel good in the short-term, but it can also have a long-term benefit for you too.  

We all, from time-to-time, will have been guilty of using the phrase “needing my beauty sleep” however, the thought that taking a nap could actually improve how you look, or feel about the way you look has never really been something that people may believe in.

What may surprise you is that beauty sleep is actually a thing. Research has been made into the effects of sleep on your appearance, in particular your skin and it has been found that your quality of sleep may be just as important as applying good quality face creams and serums.

So, with this in mind, what can you do to make sure that the sleep that you are getting is quality and is going to be helping you to make up in the morning feeling as beautiful as possible.

Always go to bed with clean skin

Having a good skin care routine is important and one of the key things that you should always do is to make sure that your skin is clean when you go to bed. Give yourself time to remove all your makeup and other dirt that has built up over the day using a gentle, yet effective cleanser that is going to take away everything and let your skin breathe through the night.

Try to sleep on your back

We all have a favoured sleeping position that we tend to opt for of a night. For those who are side or stomach sleepers this isn’t going to cause too much of a problem, however, if you are a stomach sleeper, then you may want to consider switching to sleeping on your back. The pressure of sleeping on your front can actually cause damage (and then wrinkles too) to your face.

Install a humidifier in your bedroom

You may only think of using a humidifier during the warmer months. However, the truth is that you are going to want to use your humidifier all year round whilst you sleep. A humidifier will add moisture back into the environment which will then find its way back into your skin whilst you sleep.

Keep your pillowcase clean

How often do you clean and change your pillowcase? If you can’t remember the last time you changed your pillowcase, then you may want to make more of an effort. Sleeping on a dirty pillow is going to end up making your skin dirty as you sleep. Which defeats the object of taking the time to cleanse and then moisturise your skin.

Apply an overnight mask a few times a week

Night creams are designed to be used on a daily basis, helping your skin to refresh and replenish itself. However, every few days you might want to give your skin a bit of an extra boost. Which means that the time has come to use an intensive overnight mask. These are designed to really absorb into your skin and help you to wake up feeling and hopefully looking your best.

As you can see, there are a few secrets to making sure that your beauty sleep, really is that. So, why not try them out for yourself and see if despite going to bed feeling like a beast, you wake up feeling just like a beauty.

For some Winter is the most wonderful time of the year, filled with parties, festive fun and maybe a dusting of snow. Whilst it may be nice to wrap up warm and cosy against the elements, Winter isn’t quite so kind to our skin. In fact, over the course of the Winter months we can find that our skin really starts to feel less than its normal self. But what can we do to try and fight this? Well, to help you to get through the Winter relatively unscathed, we have put together our top Winter survival tips.

Try out a gentle touch

The wind, rain and cold can really take its toll on our skin, which means that we need to try our best to be as gentle as possible with it. Always aim to treat your skin as kindly as possible during the Winter months. Don’t use any harsh products or try to scrub it with coarse scrubs, as this can just make things worse. Even better, if you can, try to aim for natural skincare products wherever you can, as this will help to make sure that your skin gets as much of a treat as possible.

Go natural

Speaking of natural skincare, it really is a good idea to try your best to opt for natural skincare products and remedies during the Winter months. Not only are they relatively readily available, but they also make sure that your skin is only getting the good stuff. There are a number of remedies and treatments out there that you can try. However, our favourites have to be using avocado and honey to make a brilliant face mask, as well as using lemon juice to try and dry out any pimples.

Cut back on the sugary food

During the Winter there always seems to be some excuse for indulging your sweet tooth. Whilst there is no harm having the odd little treat, it is important to know the impact that really sugary foods can have on your skin. In fact, issues such as acne can be made worse with lots of sugar, as can the signs of ageing too.

Treat yourself

The festive season can really take its toll on our bodies and minds, and it can be all too easy to say yes to everything. Before long, you are going to be left exhausted and really feeling the strain. So, why not give yourself a break every now and then? Being run down and tired means that you are much more likely to have dull, dry and spotty skin, so what better excuse to get yourself to bed for a good night's sleep? Or perhaps an hour spent relaxing and unwinding in a bath?

And your skin

It is the season of giving, which means that there is no better reason to really give your skin a treat. Buy a top quality face cream or mask that you have always meant to buy, and then use it. Not only will you feel great for treating yourself, but you will also feel great because you have glowing and radiant skin too.

As you can see, Winter need not be the worst time of year for your skin. All you need to do is think about the best ways to take care of your skin during the cold weather and we are sure that you will be welcoming in the spring with pretty beautiful skin.

Summer is here and so is the heatwave! Although we are loving this weather it is important to learn a few ways of keeping cool and making your life a little bit more bearable. Below we have listed our ultimate summer hacks that will help you enjoy the most of the summer weather whilst feeling and looking good!

Healthy ice lollies

Ice cream is an incredibly popular meal during the hot summer days. We can eat it once, twice or even more than three times a day! However, getting in the spirit of summer doesn’t mean consuming hundreds of empty calories and your daily sugar intake in one go. Try making healthy homemade ice lollies instead; in that way you get all the fun of the summer without melting away your figure! You can simply choose to freeze your favourite juice or freeze a fresh slice of watermelon for a perfect refreshing summer snack!

DIY Matcha body scrub for soft Summer skin

During the beach season your skin needs some time to adjust to the new climate. Creating a Matcha DIY body scrub is the perfect way to make your skin stay hydrated and smooth during the hot season. All you need to do is mix up 2 tbsp of Matcha powder, 1 cup of Sugar, 1 tbsp of Green Tea and a little bit of Coconut Oil. Matcha and Green Tea are both super good for your skin due to their rich content of vitamins and antioxidants. This DIY scrub will not only exfoliate your skin but will also keep it moisturised for hours.

Instant sunburn relief

Long summer days also mean long days full of sun rays and occasional sunburns. It is extremely important to protect your skin from harmful sun rays but if you do get burnt this Aloe Vera hack will help you get an instant relief. Everyone knows Aloe Vera can soothe burnt skin but have you tried going the extra mile and freezing it overnight? All you need to do is simply place Aloe Vera gel into an ice cube tray and use it to help cool your skin whenever you get that annoying burn!

DIY face mist

There is nothing worse than having sweaty and oily skin during the day. During the Summer months our skin produces even more oil which leads to clogged up pores and breakouts. Instead of touching up with makeup every couple of hours try and make this DIY facial mist. Simply mix up Hibiscus Tea, one drop of Tea Tree Oil and some water in a spritz bottle. Tea Tree Oil has great antibacterial properties while Hibiscus Tea will help your skin stay healthy and clear. Keep it in your bag and spritz on the go.

Mosquito bites

Everyone hates mosquitoes. They are so tiny, yet they get us every time! Don't spend your Summer being a mosquito magnet! Try pouring any type of mint mouthwash into a spray bottle and spritz it over your body to keep those little buggers away.

Here they are, our useful Summer hacks that will help you feel good and stay cool during these hotter months! What are your special Summer time hacks? We want to hear!

Summer months and warmer temperature call for a change in your skincare routine! No matter where you are the sun in the summer can be quite harsh on your skin so it is important to know how to protect and let it breathe during the lighter, longer days. Below we have listed our top 5 summer skincare tips to help you glow through this season!

1. SPF

Never forget to wear sunscreen during the summer months! UV rays are particularly strong and more harmful during this time of the year so good protection is a must. We recommend a minimum of SPF 30 that has to be reapplied every 80 minutes (more often if you are going swimming). Diligent sunscreen use will minimise the appearance of sun related spots and keep your skin tone even and glowing.

2. Swap for a lighter moisturiser

As we make a seasonal wardrobe change towards more lighter and breathable fabrics, your skin should follow the same example. Thick creams have seen you through winter months, but they won’t do you any good during summer. It is a good idea to lighten up and let your skin breathe. Go for lighter lotions or gels, depending on your skin type.

3. Vitamin C boost

No sunscreen is foolproof, so if you looking for extra protection you should give yourself a Vitamin C boost! Vitamin C neutralises the free radicals that lead to premature skin aging and also aids in skin repair. We recommend using a Vitamin C serum that acts as a powerful antioxidant and keeps your skin glowing and healthy.

4. Cleanse your face

Heat and humidity during summer months cause your oil glands to produce more oil which can lead to blocked pores and breakouts. For that reason a good cleansing regime is vital as it will allow your skin to stay blemish-free and fresh. It is important to remove all of your makeup thoroughly before bed and exfoliate from time to time to remove the dead skin cells. We recommend using a gentle facial cleanser followed by an appropriate toner, depending on your skin type.

5. Add more healthy foods to your diet

Summer is a good opportunity to indulge in some of our favourite foods from ice creams to burgers and hotdogs but it is important to work healthy stuff into our diets too. Make the most of the seasonal produce such as cherries, tomatoes, corn and watermelons. Packed with vitamins and antioxidants they all have amazing skin benefits that will help you have a beautiful complexion all summer long!

Here they are, our top summer skincare tips! For many people summer time comes with a whole lot of skincare issues such as acne, rashes, uneven skin tone etc. However, with a few changes in your skin care regime your skin will stay glowing and fresh during the whole season.