Want glowing, healthy, radiant summer without the damage? Protect your skin and glow all summer long with these summer skincare tips from the experts.
A Word from the Experts
Dermatologists understand the physiology of skin and know what your skin needs. Your skincare routines should change with the seasons. What works for winter may not work for summer. During the summer, your outdoor activities change, you sweat more, its hotter and these all cause the surface of the skin to change. So, switch things up. These summer skincare tips will help you make the most of summer while keeping your skin happy and healthy.
[Related: Skin Cancer Screening]
Sun Protection is A Must
First, you need a plan for sun protection. The best protection comes from a combination of UPF 50 clothing, mineral zinc oxide sunscreen, and staying in the shade when possible. You also need to be sure to take extra precautions when you are in intense UV settings.
Invest in UPF summer clothing and keep as much skin covered as possible when you are outside. Apply a broad-spectrum mineral zinc oxide sunscreen with a high SPF to exposed skin every day. Protect lips with a mineral lip sunscreen and don’t forget to reapply every two hours.
Stop Exfoliating
Before any intense sun exposure, like your vacation, stop exfoliating two weeks before. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, but those dead cells help block UV rays. Leaving those dead cells in place offers protection. After your sunny vacation, resume your normal exfoliation to refresh dull skin.
Antioxidant Skin Care Products
Antioxidants are anti-carcinogenic, meaning they defend against UV damage and help prevent collagen loss (which leads to fine lines and wrinkles). They can also be photo-protective, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral. After your cleansing, add a layer of a good antioxidant product on your face, neck, and chest before you moisturize.
Protect Against Hyperpigmentation
If you are prone to hyperpigmentation, melasma, sunspots, or hyperpigmentation of acne scars, it’s important to take precautionary measures. This means using a high SPF broad spectrum mineral sunscreen diligently. You can add another layer of protection by using a sunscreen with over 3.2 % iron oxide.
You can also add pigment lighteners, such as vitamin C serum or retinol, to your summer skincare routine to help fight hyperpigmentation.
Retinol to the Rescue
Even the best sun protections don’t offer 100% coverage. Some UV rays will reach your skin. This can cause an enzyme cascade that degrades valuable collagen. This is known as the matrix metalloproteinase. Maybe you have heard of it. Fortunately, using retinol at night can prevent this and fight against collagen loss.
Light Weight Products
Using lighter products in warm and humid weather is a good idea. Summer humidity means that your skin losses less moisture, so you don’t intense moisturizers like during the winter. Choose lighter moisturizers, cleansers, and makeup.
Get Ahead of Summer Acne
Most summer skincare tips revolve around sun exposure. But summer acne can be a huge problem. During hot, humid sweaty conditions, Pityrosporum yeast flourishes. This causes clogged pores and acne. Adding a pyrithione zinc skin cleanser can help control and fight fungal acne. Clean and unblock pores by using a zinc soap. For oily skin types, salicylic acid works well. If you are prone to pimples, try benzoyl peroxide. Glycolic acid is good for all skin types.
Summer Skincare Tips from the Experts
Summer is such a beautiful time. There is so much to do outside and countless ways to enjoy a sunny day. But remember to be proactive and protect your skin. For all your summer skin problems, contact Reston Dermatology.