With summer just around the corner for us folks in the southern hemisphere, I’ve begun my search for products that will provide protection from the sun, while still nourishing my skin.
Celtic Complexion’s tinted Moisturiser, Sheer Lipstick and Organic Sunscreen are currently topping my ‘must have’ list for summer. Not only do they moisturise AND contain SPF, but they’re 100% natural and have zero harmful chemicals.
It was the name Celtic Complexion and its alternative-looking packaging, featuring a woman with long flowing red locks, which first caught my eye. I have enough Irish friends to know that a typical ‘Celtic complexion’ is pale (and sometimes freckly) and fries like an egg in the sun, so I was intrigued to learn more about this artisan brand.
Its founder is an American woman, with Irish heritage, called Jennifer Devlin who is a Master Esthetician and skincare maker. For years she battled rosacea (which Devlin says mainly affects people of Irish, Scottish and English decent) until virtually curing her condition with natural, holistic remedies. This inspired her to learn all that she could about natural therapies and to create an organic skincare range to help others with skin issues.
Having struggled with redness, acne and sensitive skin for more than a decade, I’m always on the lookout for products that are gentle on my skin and won’t aggravate or inflame my condition.
These three are my top picks for summer:
Tinted Moisturiser SPF 31 Medium
$59.95 (US)
What’s good about it: For me, a heavy foundation in summer is pointless. It’s pretty much melted off my face by the time I get to work. I prefer a tinted moisturiser because it’s lighter on the skin and offers much-needed moisture in warmer weather, while still providing blemish coverage and that all important sun protection.
This lovely hand-made product delivers all of the above. With ingredients like organic shea butter and jojoba oil, it blends seamlessly with your skin’s natural tone and gives you a healthy glow. If your skin is a little on the oily side, you may need to give your face a once over with a translucent powder to avoid looking too shiny.
Organic Sheer lipstick in SPF 18 in First Kiss
$18 (US)
What’s good about it: I love this lippy because it’s so natural looking that I actually fool people into thinking I’m one of those women blessed with naturally rosy lips – if only!
Because you end up swallowing most of what you put on your lips, it’s important to me to use natural lip balms. If you only have one natural product in your makeup bag, let it be your lippy!
This little beauty from Celtic Complexion is everything you want in a lipstick: it looking and feels great, is certified organic, synthetic-chemical free, gluten-free, carmine-free, and contains 10% zinc oxide for sun protection.
Organic Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin SPF 32
$29 (US)
What’s good about it: Unlike many other sunscreens on the market containing toxic chemicals that get absorbed into the body, potentially causing diseases like cancer, this sunscreen uses natural zinc oxide to protect against UV damage. Zinc oxide comes from a mineral – a rock – and acts like a mirror, reflecting the sun’s rays.
It’s made with just nine natural and skin-loving ingredients, including Eldorado Springs Artesian Water, Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Shea Butter, and can be used on the face and body.
With my problematic skin, I really struggle to find a decent sunscreen that won’t clog my pores or leave oil welling on my face. But I’m happy to say that I’ve discovered this brand of sunscreen. The only slight downside is that it does make your skin a little on the pale side, due to Zinc Oxide being a white pigment, but if that’s the only price to pay for chemical-free sun protection then so be it!
For more information about these products and Celtic Complexion, see www.celticcomplexion.com
