Smell like summer: 6 of the best scents for the new season
Where would you most like to escape the heat this summer? Perhaps to a villa on the southern Italian coast, where the air smells of salt water, fresh lemons and florals? Perhaps a tropical island where you can laze on the beach with cocktails? Or would you rather stay closer to home: in a sun-drenched rose garden at the end of August? Even if you’re not jetting off this summer, the best new fragrances of the season are ready to take you along.
From light, airy and fresh to warm, spicy and heady, we’ve got them all covered in our roundup of the best new fragrances for summer 2023, for day or night. Whether by the pool or in the park, it’s best to wear your favourite summer outfit, read a new beach book and have a cold drink.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Media Cologne Intensive, £175
Imagine you’re on holiday in southern Italy. It’s golden hour, the windows are open, the summer breeze blows through the curtains onto your skin, and the sound of the waves lapping and the sound of the ocean can be heard in the distance.
Holidaymakers enjoy the sun. Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s latest creation takes you into this world thanks to herbal notes of Italian bergamot and green moss, combined with spicy verbena and sweet fennel, and base notes of
earthy patchouli and matcha. To me, it smells almost lemony – like a slice of lemon for an evening aperitif.
Phlur Solar EDP, £96
“Sour green, aquamarine / Girls dancing on the beach.” Like Lorde’s song of the same name, Phlur’s Solar manages to capture the joyful feeling of spending a day at the beach. How? Top notes of Italian red mandarin, bergamot and jasmine essence, heart notes of orange blossom and neroli, and to top it all off, base notes of driftwood, sea salt and what the brand calls “solar musk”.
Spray it on and enjoy the comfort of lying on the beach and letting the warm sun dry your limbs wherever you are. The scent is said to get stronger as your body temperature rises. So apply it to your knees and elbow creases for a longer-lasting, richer scent.
Diptyque Ilio Eau de Toilette, £125
I can’t help but think that the name of this fragrance reminds me of Elio from Call Me By Your Name, and for good reason. Diptyque’s latest scent combines notes of cactus, lavender and lemongrass, leaving us dreaming of a hazy summer romance under European skies. It’s an Eau de Toilette, meaning it has a lower concentration of essential oils and is lighter than an Eau de Toilette – perfect for those hot days when you just can’t bear to wear clothes. Plus, it comes in beautiful packaging featuring illustrations inspired by the Mediterranean coast by American artist Erik Winkowski. Flower Street Sweet Almond Blossom Eau de Toilette, £68 Calling all sweet fragrance lovers! Even those who don’t generally like sweet scents will be pleasantly surprised by Flower Street’s latest offerings (I’m like that, and I don’t like anything too savory). Sure, they’re sweet – mostly thanks to a blend of apple blossom and creamy vanilla – but tempered by spicy passionfruit and pink grapefruit (similar to grapefruit), earthy sandalwood and nutty tonka bean. Sweet. Aerin Mediterranean Honeysuckle Clementina, £100 Pack your bags (figuratively, of course); Aerin takes us to the Amalfi Coast, where the air is filled with heady citrus scents. With a base of Corsican clementine and the warmth of jasmine and musk, it’s the perfect summer scent for those seeking something light, fresh and welcoming. Juliette’s Desire for Sunshine, £95 If you’re hankering for a tropical holiday (or at least want one), then Juliet Got a Gun’s latest fragrance is for you. Lust For Sun combines the floral notes of coconut with exotic ylang-ylang and monoi oils (made primarily from the Tiare flower). It is warm and sensual, reminiscent of skin kissed by the sun during golden hour.
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
