Love summer? But the sun is not your skin’s best friend and hot weather can wreak havoc on your skin if you are not being careful. Here are a few quick tips to help keep your skin looking great all summer…and beyond!
Be SPF Savvy. Do not rely on your SPF-infused foundation or bronzer alone to protect you from the Sun. It’s nice to have the bonus protection from your SPF makeup but the amount of sunscreen your skin actually needs is far more than a little dab. So, how much sunscreen do you really need to apply? The recommended amount is about 1 teaspoon for your face and neck and be sure to choose a formula with no less than SPF 30 (and don’t forget your lips – they need SPF protection too!)
And remember that sunscreens degrade faster in hot temperatures, losing their efficacy well before the expiration date. What’s even worse is that expired formulas can harbor bacteria and fungus, so it’s best to toss your sunblock lotion after 1 year.
Defend your skin everyday not only with sunscreen but also with an antioxidant-packed Vitamin C serum. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, green tea and coenzyme Q10 protect your skin from damaging (aka wrinkle-causing) free radicals that are produced when skin is exposed to smoke, pollution, sunlight, or the very air we breathe.
When paired with a broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning, antioxidants also boost skin’s ability to fight sun damage and help reduce collagen breakdown whenever your skin sees daylight.
Summer skin is oily skin for many of us which can lead to clogged pores and extra shine so it may feel like you need extra cleansing. Resist the urge to over cleanse and thus strip the skin which can have the opposite effect as your skin will start to produce even more oil.
It’s a HUGE misconception that people with oily skin don’t need face moisturizer. That’s so untrue — not moisturizing can actually worsen oily skin! Continue to use a light moisturizer and use blotting papers as needed to remove the excess oils off the skin. If your skin is very oily, use a cleanser that contains salicylic acid to help minimize excess oil production.
Are summer breakouts a problem? Typically when we think of acne, it is our natural instinct to think about products like a drying toner (usually alcohol-laden) or astringents but sometimes these products can leave skin dry, red or irritated. It is also best to avoid sulfur-based acne spot treatments because although an antibacterial agent, sulfur can also be a potent skin irritant. Combat zits caused by sweat and overproduction of oil with an effective yet non-irritating formula like
Combat zits caused by sweat and overproduction of oil with these effective yet non-irritating acne-fighting products that are easily available at the drugstore. Also, try one of these best drugstore face masks for acne to banish those pesky breakouts!
Heading to the beach for vacation? Since your skin is more at risk for sunburns and sun damage on the shore, discontinue use of exfoliants such as Glycolic acid (AHA’s) at least a week before going. Using exfoliants regularly increases sun sensitivity by about 50% percent so it’s best to play safe and stop using your scrubs or peels a few days prior to the beach.
Ouch! You’re sunburnt despite being careful.Now what? The best thing to do is use cold aloe vera gel or cold plain yogurt that works as an anti-inflammatory and heat remover. Apply, let dry for 15 minutes and then rinse. Repeat every hour if needed. Avoid using too much lotion (even if they’re aloe-vera based) to soothe a sunburn. Layering lotion on sunburned skin traps heat, keeping the skin red longer. Also, be sure to wear loose-fitting cotton clothes as synthetic fabrics can irritate your burn.
Hope you find these tips useful! What are your top skincare strategies for summer?
harshleen, you mentioned in your article that for oily skin to use salicylic acid. Is salicylic acid better than using benzoyl peroxide?
Brittany – Benzoyl peroxide is an effective acne treatment that is recommended to be used for severe acne. I prefer using salicylic acid for occasional breakouts and keeping skin clear and also de-clogging pores.