Blog
Pilates Summer Series: Day #8 + Summer Skincare
Summer is full of so many great feelings. A cool dip in the swimming pool, salty lips from the ocean waves, and the warmth of the summer sun on bare skin.
And really, is there anything better than the feeling of sun-kissed skin after a long day at the beach?
I don’t think so.
So to help us ENJOY the wonderful gift of the summer sun while still protecting our precious skin I’ve asked the founder of my favorite skincare line to shed a little light on summer skincare for us today.
Meet Adina.
Adina is the founder of S.W. Basics, as truly all-natural, sustainable skincare line out of Brooklyn. I fell in love with Adina’s products a few years ago and it’s been so fun watching her company explode. Celebrities, Vogue, In Style, her products are highly sought after.
S.W. Basics makes all of their products from scratch using only whole, high-potency ingredients. They support small/local farms, care about sustainability and don’t add extra chemicals. Everything they make has 5 ingredients or less. How great is that?
Adina was kind enough to answer a few questions for us about summer skincare, so let’s dive in. 🙂
What is the #1 thing to watch out for when it comes to summer skincare?
Actually, hydration! People get to the summer and think that sweaty skin = hydrated skin, but it doesn’t. Sun damage is very drying, and even sweat evaporating off your skin can leave you really dry. There is never a season that you shouldn’t moisturize, it’s just a matter of giving yourself one good application per day, rather than 15 (an only slight exaggeration of the amount you need in the winter).
Do you recommend changing your skincare routine for the warmer weather?
Not really. I think it’s marketing hype when people say things like “ditch those winter products for lighter summer ones!” What does that even mean, “lighter”? Ignore that. You just need to wash your face a bit more, moisturize just a slight amount less, and protect yourself from the sun.
We all want to protect our skin from the sun, but most sunscreens are loaded with chemicals. What do you recommend?
This is a really tricky topic. I don’t love most sunscreens on the market, and I actually believe you need to give your body a little bit of sunscreen-free sun love during the summer.
We’re so, so, so, vitamin D deficient because we’ve become so terrified of the sun. I think the chemicals in the sunscreen are way more terrifying. But of course, I know sunburns suck, and skin cancer sucks the most of all.
So I love Badger Sunscreen and Alba Botanica. Nothing with nanoparticles, oxybenzone, nothing that sprays. I use this resource from the Environmental Working Group all the time.
What’s your best tip to create a healthy, natural summer glow?
Wear less clothing and be proud of it. 😉 Oh and drink your water and your greens, of course!
Thank you, Adina!
As I mentioned, I’ve been using her line for  years. It’s something I’ve felt comfortable using throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding and has helped my skin weather the hormonal changes that come along with it.
Here are a few of my favorite products…
CREAM // MAKEUP REMOVER // CLEANSER // BODY SCRUB
Now that we’ve discussed taking care of our skin, let’s continue taking care of our bodies. 🙂
Today is arm day in the Pilates Summer Series, but I’ll be honest, you’ll be getting a lot of ab work today too. Sorry, I can’t help it! It’s just the way Pilates works.
Enjoy…
Today’s Check-In: show me your post-Pilates glow!Â
Yes, really. We’re sharing cheesy selfies to show off our sweaty, post-Pilates skin. Yes, I’ll be doing the same, we’re all in the this together remember? You’re working hard and you should be proud. Show off your sweat!
Plus I want to see the faces behind all of these great posts I’ve been seeing. 🙂
See you on Twitter & Instagram!
xo,
share this post
Helping You Break Free!
Get your weekly delivery of inspiration—Pilates, nourishment,
& mindfulness—changing your relationship with food and your body.
41 thoughts on “Pilates Summer Series: Day #8 + Summer Skincare”
My arms were burning by the end. Love it!
Wow this was a good one. Burns so good
You are adorable! From your opening “Hey, Beauties” to the end of the workout, your encouragement keeps me going. I’m a 61 year old woman and I’m doing this via internet with my daughter who lives 4 hours away. Can’t do everything yet, but I’m getting stronger! Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow!
Thanks Jo Ann 🙂 So glad you’re doing this with your daughter – what fun thing! Keep up the great work.
Excellent safe sun/skin tips and arm workout! Can’t beat those arm circles and side planks – so effective!
They are! Do what works right? 🙂
Wonderful challenges.. always fun to open these up and face a new challenge. Feels good to start the day with these.
Keep it up Sylvia! xo
Wow, i can tell i am getting stronger! You are the best! P.s. will these videos be up on your website all summer? I would love to just go through them every 3 weeks because they are super perfect for me—not too longer and pair great with my cardio workouts.
Yay! Isn’t that the best feeling?? And yes the videos will be up for awhile 🙂
Yes! This is why I love you even more!!
Thank you for meeting with us each day (on the beach which helps me to feel like I’m there too!). I wonder how to “relax” my shoulders while doing the arm workhouts? I guess it feels a bit tricky to relax the muscles that are making the arms do all that work….maybe I just can’t do two things at once (like pat my head and rub my belly).
Ha, regardless, it is a great gift you’re giving us!
Hi Susie! It’s my pleasure. 🙂 It’s tough to relax the shoulders while working the muscles of the upper body. What I mean by that is: try to relax your trapezius and scaliness (the muscles on top of your shoulders in your neck) and focus more on your lats (the muscles underneath your shoulder blades). So the shoulder blades stay on the back, not up by your ears. 🙂
Loved the arm workout today! I am most definitely getting used to some of the positions which seemed uncomfortable at first! Thanks for the daily work outs. Love them and look forward to doing them each morning.
That’s so great to hear Conni. So glad you’re doing this with me. 🙂 Keep up the great work!
Thanks Robin! I have to say that it’s always nice to workout with a fellow mom! Kills all excuses to skip your workout. I love these videos and daily tips that come along with them! Looking forward to the next day every time I repeat these videos!
Yes, we’re all in this together even though we’re all at home! 🙂
Great mid-day workout, did it during nap time today! A little warm up for my muscles before body pump tonight 🙂
I struggled with this one so feeling a bit of a whimp when I read the other comments. Had to modify moves by resting on my knees and doing less reps. Will just keep trying.
You’re not a wimp Anne! You’re doing great. They are supposed to be challenging 🙂
I love working my arms, abs not so much. Planks are difficult for me and I feel like I am doing the side plank incorrectly. I can barely keep my balance and I am falling a lot. Any suggestions?
They are harder than they look! My tip is to lower your bottom knee. Use it for support as long as you need. Don’t rush the process, you’ll get there. 🙂
Hi Robin,
great workout again! It’s a very motivational challenge, with the beach on te back.
Thank you!
Hi Robin,
great workout again! It’s a very motivational challenge, with the beach on the back.
Thank you!
A good reminder of strutting your stuff in a bikini huh? 🙂
Day 8 complete!! Thank you for the daily burn.#pilatessummerseries 🙂
My pleasure Sarah! Good work 🙂
My arms burn! Thanks for a great workout. Repeating it tonight. 🙂
I’m loving this daily workout! You accomplish a lot in a short amount of time!
Crazy how weak the arms get even when holding nothing. 🙂 Loved doing these in 28 days – fun to see them again.
Those tricep dips KILL me! I wore a short sleeve shirt for the first time this year to work (it’s been COLD in Wisconsin!) and I kept thinking about how I need to tone my arms for summer. I loved this video, can’t wait to see what tomorrow’s is!
This was a great work out! And I am definitely going to try out that skincare line. I have been looking for something natural and have been striking out so far!
Nice workout. The side planks with the twist is challenging.
#pilatessummerseries
I am loving these workouts. They truly work the body and today’s was no less amazing what u can do in 5-8 minutes.
Had to do this one a day late. Attempted a couple times yesterday, but with three small boys and also moving to a new house, i missed yesterday! So, today i’ll play catch-up! Great arm workout! Arms are feeling it 🙂 Thanks!!
The arm days are good for me, it’s an area where I need to build my strength. Glad I’m at home so no one can see me barley make the side planks! Holy cow those are so hard. I will master it someday…Thanks for doing this, LOVING IT! 🙂 It’s a great way to learn about pilates through this series.
This was so good, my son and I did it again today! Yay #PilatesSummerSeries !!!
Ugh, arms are burning…but a good thing, being a massage therapist to keep them working!
Am loving these workouts. Have been sick for a week and today I am continuing the Pilates Summer Series. Thanks for the email with links to all the other workouts. I want to complete each one I missed. Thank you, Robin! You have made such a difference in my life by introducing me to Pilates!
Playing catch-up – really glad you posted about how something is better than nothing 🙂 Thy helped me get back I’m the game this morning so thank you!!
Enjoyed this workout. Really liking the Summer Series. Glad I decided to give it a go!