It feels like 2025 just began, and here we are, approaching year-end. While this time often signals things closing down, it also marks the beginning of summer. Spring may have brought blossoms and warmth, but all with a price tag of breakouts, mozzie bites, and sensitivities. From pollen, wind, and shifting humidity, our skin has (as we would say) been through the most.

With summer on the horizon, our skin and hair are calling for some TLC for a radiant glow all season long. Summer has its own package – increased oil production, UV exposure, and sunburn dryness leading to pigmentation and premature ageing. It is time to protect and nourish your skin and hair, to sustain radiance through every beach day, padel match, braai, or afternoon outdoors.

True radiance starts from within. The secret to glowing skin lies in what you put into your body, not just what you put on it.

An Inside Out Approach

Nutrition First

Nutrition influences everything from collagen production to hormonal balance and cellular repair. To fuel your glow:

• Balance protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats to boost skin and hair health.
• Enjoy seasonal, antioxidant-rich produce like figs, grapes, bell peppers, and zucchini.
• Stay hydrated with water, herbal teas, watermelon, and cucumber.
• Move often to support glucose regulation and healthy cortisol levels, promoting radiant skin and vibrant hair.

Ingestible Beauty

Boost your radiance with targeted supplements that complement your nutrition:

• Collagen peptides support elasticity and hydration. Vegan blends (often made from pea, rice, and bamboo silica) offer plant-based support for collagen synthesis.
• Vitamin C fuels collagen synthesis and repair.
• CoQ10 and zinc fight oxidative stress and promote sun exposure recovery.
• Probiotics and prebiotics promote gut-skin harmony.
• Adaptogens, like ashwagandha, buffer stress and hormonal shifts.
• Vitamin D3 controls inflammation and protects from the sun.

Sunlight remains one of the most direct and effective sources of vitamin D3. Let us explore how to enjoy it wisely.

Be Sun Smart for a Healthy Glow

Summer is synonymous with being outdoors. Once upon a time, despite South Africa’s abundant sunshine, I avoided it entirely, overwhelmed by the heat and discomfort. The result? A vitamin D3 deficiency affected both my skin and hair. Morning walks and bespoke supplementation helped restore my balance.

Know your skin's UV tolerance and be in the sun during gentler hours, before 10am and after 4pm. Shield with a broad-spectrum SPF. I like zinc oxide sunscreens, which are gentle and protective.

With sun care covered, focus on products with hydrating, soothing, and moisturising properties.

Nourishing from the Outside In

Topical care renews, hydrates, and helps manifest a healthy glow. Here are some great products to include:

• Hydrating serums with hyaluronic acid or glycerine.
• Barrier support for skin with niacinamide and ceramides (for hair, try argan oil).
• Brightening treatments with pure vitamin C (pair with vitamin E or ferulic acid).
• Soothing masks with aloe, calendula, chamomile, or green tea.

Restore, Protect, Repeat

As summer approaches, make consistency and protection a habit with these routines:

• Cleanse gently in the morning and thoroughly at night.
• Reapply mineral-based SPF every 2 hours when outdoors, and immediately after swimming or sweating.
• Soothe skin after sun exposure with calming masks or mists.
• Apply amino acid- and keratin-rich hair conditioners after swimming.
• Prioritise sleep for regeneration while you rest.
• Patch test new products to see how you respond.

This summer, revive your glow from the inside out and the outside in for lasting results.