I am two foundation shades darker than my winter colour. A year ago I would have been ecstatic over having a golden tan, but now I cringe a little at the damage I’ve done to my skin over the hot summer months.

Here’s the thing: I bike a lot in the city. It’s great for my cardio, but very bad for my skin. Having a natural tan, I can get away with a lot of sun exposure without getting a burn. But that is so not the case this summer. I didn’t get major peeling burns, but dry red irritated skin? Absolutely. It sucked.

So who’s trying her best to reverse the sun damage and over the years, prevent wrinkles from appearing prematurely? This girl. And here’s how I’m doing it: hydrate, hydrate and hydrate some more!

Pure+simple Aquabrasion machine

My favourite place in TO has added a new facial treatment to their spa services: Pure+simple Aquabrasion ($129 for 30 mins, $179 for 60 mins — on special for the month of August). I went in with hot sweaty skin that day and came out relaxed and refreshed. The Aquabrasion process is pretty cool; they use fine jets of saline water controlled by a wand. It exfoliates, encourages lymph drainage, smooth lines, and makes you coffee in the morning. Just kidding. But it really is all-powerful. I tweeted my results after 7 days (sorry, Photo Booth pic). But it’s good eh?

7 days after Aquabrasion

The Science of Layering Skincare Products

Okay, not really science. But the idea is start with the lightest (least viscosity or “thickness”) product like a serum and finish with the most viscous product, like an oil.

Products I’m Using Now

Since I am currently going through a ridiculously amazing skin streak — think plump, glowy and I don’t have to wear foundation (I know I know, I’d hate me too!) — I want to go through some of the stellar skincare products I’ve been using lately.

My first layer of hydration is a lightweight watery serum. SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel ($78) is a lightweight oil-free gel that boosts moisture, and is perfect especially for oily skin types as a standalone moisturizer. It has vitamin B5, which helps with tissue repair, which is totally the point. Pure + simple Collagen Elastin HCH ($79.95) contains super hydrators algae and aloe vera and feels amazing as my skin drinks it up immediately.

Weleda Almond Soothing Facial Lotion ($27, weleda.ca; well.ca) is rich in vitamin E, which soothes and calms the skin. Other moisturizers sting my irritated skin in the summer, but none of that happens with this almond facial lotion.

I am obsessed with facial oils. I think everyone should stop being so afraid of oils because they are so effective at balancing your skin. I truly believe this. My current loves are Holistic Vanity Damage Care Restorative Raw Argan Oil ($60, coming out in November 2012) and Weleda Almond Soothing Facial Oil ($28, weleda.ca; well.ca). The handmade argan oil (from an all-female West Moroccan cooperative) has the perfect viscosity that I love for daytime. The Weleda oil is near and dear to my heart. It clears up nasty ouch-y pimples so quickly that I believe it also contains stuff of dreams. Actually, what it does have is organic blackthorn flower extract, which protects your skin by helping it strengthen. Cool huh?

As an additional treatment for oops-I-got-too-much-sun-again moments, I reach for SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel ($65). This antiseptic and anti-inflammatory gel is the answer to sunburnt skin. I love how wonderfully cooling it is and that it also helps lighten dark spots. It makes a perfect aftershave for your man, too!

Now tell me…

How are you taking care of your skin this summer? I hope sunscreen is part of your daily regimen. And, how do you feel about an end-of-summer skincare feature in the middle of August?

Pure + simple and Holistic Vanity are available onlineand in their spa locations. SkinCeuticals is available through selected distribution channels via dispensing doctors, medical spas and high-end spas across Canada (store locator). Weleda is available at well.ca; www.weleda.ca ; Whole Foods Market; natural independent health food stores; Planet Organic Market; Nature’s Fare; Noah’s Natural Foods and Rexall Pharma Plus stores.