Summer Skin Survival: Soft, Comfortable and Bite-Free (Without Carrying a Suitcase of Products)

The UK summer problem: it’s not just sun

British summer is a mix of warm days, sudden rain, sweaty commutes, and nights where midges and mosquitoes decide you are the main course. Add travel, camping, festivals, or a cheap hotel with questionable air-con and your skin can go from fine to irritated very quickly.

A realistic ‘summer skin’ plan focuses on three things: protecting your barrier, preventing friction, and avoiding bites. You don’t need 20 products. You need a few that work together.

1) Keep skin comfortable (because itchy skin attracts scratching)

Heat and frequent showers strip the skin. When the barrier is dry, you scratch more, and every scratch is a tiny invitation for irritation. The solution is not thick body butter in 28°C heat – it’s lightweight hydration you will actually use.

After a shower, pat skin damp (don’t rub), then use a fast-absorbing moisturiser or dry oil. Focus on legs, arms, and anywhere you get tightness. It takes 60 seconds and stops that ‘tight, itchy’ feeling that ruins sleep.

2) Prevent chafing before it starts

Chafing is the unglamorous summer villain. Thigh rub, bra-band irritation, backpack straps – it all gets worse with sweat. Prevention beats fixing it later.

Use a simple barrier approach: keep the area dry, and add a protective layer where skin rubs skin (inner thighs, under bust). Loose breathable clothing helps more than people admit. If you’re walking all day, carry a small product you can reapply, because sweat will break down anything eventually.

3) Be sceptical about ‘natural’ insect solutions

Here’s the reality: if you’re somewhere with heavy bites, ‘natural’ options can be hit and miss. Citronella bracelets and essential oils might help a bit in light conditions, but they’re not a guarantee. If you know you react badly to bites, don’t gamble your trip on vibes.

A good middle ground is a purpose-made repellent that’s designed for skin, tested properly, and still feels wearable. You want something you’ll actually apply – not a sticky, overpowering spray that stays in your bag.

Other bite-reduction moves that cost nothing

Repellent helps, but behaviour matters too:

• Wear light, loose sleeves in the evening rather than going bare-armed.
• Avoid heavily scented body sprays if you’re in a bite-heavy area.
• Keep windows closed at dusk or use a simple plug-in if you’re indoors.
• If you’re camping, don’t leave standing water near the tent and keep zips closed – the basics work.

Where Skin So Soft fits in

If you like the Skin So Soft feel but you also want bite protection, it makes sense to choose a product built for that job. The Skin So Soft Bug Repellent is designed to combine moisturising with DEET-free bite defence, which is useful if you’re out in the evenings or travelling in summer. You can see it here: https://skin-so-soft.co.uk/product/avon-skin-so-soft-bug-repellent/

How to use repellent without ruining your skincare and SPF

Order matters. In the daytime: moisturiser (if you need it), then SPF, then repellent on exposed areas once SPF has set. At night, skip SPF and go straight to repellent on ankles, calves, arms, and neck – the places that get bitten most.

Don’t spray repellent onto your face. Spray into hands, then pat around the jawline and ears if needed, avoiding eyes and lips. Wash hands after applying so you don’t accidentally rub it into your eyes.

If your skin is reactive, patch test any new repellent on a small area first, especially if you’re travelling. It’s better to find out at home than mid-holiday.

After-bite care that actually helps

If you do get bitten, the goal is to reduce inflammation fast. Cool the area (a cold flannel), then use a soothing, fragrance-light moisturiser. Avoid piling on lots of perfumed products – it often makes things worse.

And yes, scratching is the problem. If you keep tearing at bites, you prolong redness and raise the risk of marks. Keep nails short on holiday and treat bites like you would any other irritation: calm it, don’t attack it.

A small, sensible summer kit

If you want one bag that covers most summer skin issues, keep it simple:

• Lightweight body moisturiser or dry oil.
• SPF for face and body.
• A repellent you’ll use.
• A gentle cleanser (especially if you’re wearing SPF daily).
• Something for friction (barrier balm or anti-chafe stick).

That kit doesn’t just help on holiday. It makes UK summer more comfortable: fewer itchy legs, fewer angry bites, and less time thinking about your skin when you’d rather be outside.