Chill out

ICE, ICE BABY

RETREAT FROM THE HEAT BY SEEKING OUT THE COOLEST PRODUCTS AROUND

WORDS REBECCA DOUGLAS

As the heat ramps up, there are those of us who would love nothing more than to sit in the shade, sipping frozen margaritas until April rolls around and temperatures start to drop.

Sadly, it’s not always possible to avoid those 40C days altogether. That’s where science and nature can help get us through the summer months with cooling skincare and beauty saviours.

THE BIG CHILL

When it comes to the ingredients to look for, peppermint tops the list. Peppermint essential oil is extracted from a plant variety that is a cross between water, mint and spearmint.

The cooling effect comes from menthol, which is the main active ingredient.

Menthol expands blood vessels and reacts with TRPM8 thermoreceptors when applied to skin, evoking a chilled feeling around the area.

In small amounts, it also has anti-inflammatory properties and is used to treat skin rashes.

“Menthol has a real cooling, almost like an astringent, effect,” A’kin learning and development business partner Melissa Jarrett says.

HYDRATING HEROES

Plants with a high water content, such as cucumber, leave skin feeling nourished on a hot day.

“Cucumber goes about cooling and soothing, and really refreshing the skin,” Melissa says.

Aloe vera also helps you maintain your cool, particularly when too much time has been spent in the sun.

“Aloe vera is known as nature’s medicine plant,” Plunkett Pharmaceuticals aloe vera brand manager Al Brown says.

“Once you are sunburnt and you put aloe vera on, it immediately gives you that cooling effect, especially if the aloe vera is highly concentrated.”

The juicy nature of the plant means it restores moisture and calms your skin.

“It contains anti-inflammatory properties, and it has a high water content that can help hydrate the skin,” Al says.

“It also has lots of antioxidants in it, so it can restore and calm dry or irritated skin.”

For best results, Al and Melissa suggest keeping some products in the fridge for that extra refreshing burst after a scorching day outside.

ALOE, ALOE Restore and hydrate dry and sunburnt skin while enjoying the soothing properties of aloe vera and let the sizzle seep away.

Plunkett’s 99% Pure Aloe Vera Gel 75g, $7.99

ENJOY-MINT Delivering the refreshing eff ects of washing with water without any H2O in sight, this cooling dry shampoo leaves your hair smelling minty fresh.

Klorane Detox Dry Shampoo with Aquatic Mint 150ml, $13.99

SQUEAKY CLEAN After a day in the sun, cleanse and hydrate with millions of micelles and triple-purifi ed water. Simple Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Water 400ml, $11.49

BATHING BEAUTY Emerge from the shower cool, calm and collected after using this hydrating formulation scented with cucumber and green tea.

Dove Go Fresh Nourishing Body Wash Cucumber & Green Tea 1 litre, $10.99

WIPE OUT Luxurious and biodegradable, these cleansing wipes are cooling and moisturising, perfect for red, irritated skin.

Swisspers Eco Aloe Vera Biodegradable Facial Wipes Twin Pack 2 x 25 Wipes, $9.99

MENTHOL MOMENT This gentle formulation removes impurities and leaves your skin feeling refreshed and oh-so-soft.

Neutrogena Deep Clean Purifying Cooling Gel Scrub 100g, $10.49

COOL CHANGE Aloe vera soothes and refreshes after too much fun in the sun. Banana Boat Soothing Aloe Mist After Sun Spray 250ml, $7.49

HEAVEN SCENT Aromatic notes of mint, eucalyptus, honeydew, white musk and refreshing aloe vera combine to create summer in a bottle. Herbal Essences Potent Aloe & Eucalyptus Shampoo 400ml, $16.99

TOTES JELLY A non-greasy, fast-absorbing combination of micro-droplets of Vaseline Jelly and aloe vera protects against the elements and deeply moisturises your skin.

Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Soothe Body Lotion 750ml, $12.49

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