Summer means pool parties, cookouts, and plenty of time outdoors. With your social calendar filling up, you want your skin to look its best. Here are my top 10 summer skin care tips, from a board-certified dermatologist to help you get that dewy, even-toned complexion with a healthy glow.
1. Wear Sunscreen
Are you shocked this was my first tip? It shouldn’t come as a surprise wearing sunscreen with an SPF 30 or above is at the top of the list for summer skin care routines! I recommend wearing sunscreen year-round, however in the summer months while people tend to have more skin exposed, sunscreen is especially important for all skin types. Remember, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime - prevention is key!
Sunscreen helps prevent premature aging, uneven skin tone, and as mentioned, skin cancer.
2. Use a Tinted Moisturizer or BB Cream
Applying a heavy foundation in summer can cause streaks if you become sweaty. Instead, use a lighter tinted moisturizer or BB cream to help even your skin tone while keeping your makeup light and airy. Look for products which are non-comedogenic to avoid clogging pores and causing breakouts. Want an even better option? Choose a tinted sunscreen and skip the makeup altogether!
3. Switch Out Your Cleanser
In the summer, your skin is more prone to oiliness and breakouts from the heat. Consider switching your gentle, hydrating cleanser for a foaming one. Foaming cleansers can help remove dirt and oil build up and are better tolerated in the warmer months as the risk of overdrying your skin decreases significantly. You can take this a step further by using an exfoliating cleanser (such as Glytone exfoliating cleanser that was included in our Spring box!) as the added benefits of alpha hydroxy acids can help with skin cell turn over and brightening.
4. Exfoliate Regularly
Speaking of exfoliating, we know that exfoliating your skin can help remove dead skin, improve the appearance of scars, and get your skin that healthy glow. Whether its an exfoliating wash, mask, leave on serum or a mixture of all the above, make sure to still listen to your skin and avoid over-doing this step. There is a happy medium for your unique skin.
5. Keep Using Your Retinol
Just because it’s sunnier, doesn’t mean you can’t continue to use your retinol at nighttime. Retinols are beneficial year-round and can reduce acne breakouts, improve the appearance of pores, even your skintone and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. As long as you remember to continue to wear sunscreen in the morning, your retinol is still a go for the warmer months!
6. Use an Antioxidant Serum in the AM
Antioxidant rich serums like Vitamin C Serums are a must in the summertime. They work to boost the efficacy of your sunscreen by mopping up free radicals that can contribute to collagen breakdown and DNA damage. Layer your antioxidant serum BEFORE your sunscreen every morning and thank me later!
7. Switch Out Your Moisturizer
Summer skin tends to be less dry than winter skin, however it’s important to remember to moisturize year-round. A dip in a chlorine pool, wearing flip flops, and using a nightly retinoid can still lead to drier skin. In the warmer months, I like to switch from thick, heavier moisturizers to lightweight gels. Gel-based moisturizers tend to be less occlusive and therefore more suitable for acne prone skin, especially in the warmer weather.
8. Your Sunnies and Clothing Choice Matter!
In order to protect your skin from the sun’s rays while enjoying a day outside, remember to wear sun protective clothing and UV protective sunglasses. Look for sunglasses labeled with UV 400 to provide nearly 100% protection of UV rays. Wide-brimmed hats are also a great option for providing shade on your face.
Loosely fitting clothing and tightly woven fabrics provide the most protection against the sun’s powerful rays. Shiny polyester clothing and lightweight satin fabrics can deflect the sun’s rays. It’s important to remember, a white t-shirt only provides 7 UPF so wearing a cover up over your swimsuit is not an excuse to skimp on the sunscreen every two hours! If you want to take the guess work out of picking the right clothing, look for “UPF 50+” clothing, which are designed specifically for blocking at least 98% of UV rays from reaching the skin they cover.
9. Get Your Tan From A Bottle
I know it’s tempting to lay out or head to the tanning beds for a healthy looking glow. But the reality is, there is nothing “healthy” about getting a tan. Tanning is a result of DNA damage to the skin. Continued DNA damage over time leads to mutations in our skin cells and enough mutations can lead to the development of skin cancers. Did you know just one indoor tanning session before the age of 35 can increase the risk of developing melanoma, one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer by 75%? Nearly 20 Americans die from melanoma every day (Source).
Pro tip from the Dermy Doc
"The only healthy way to get a tan is from a bottle. Using a tanning bed, getting a base tan, or tanning with sunscreen on is unsafe and can increase your chances of skin cancer and premature skin aging."
10. Check the Expiration Dates On Your Products
Let the change of seasons be a good time for you to check your skincare and sunscreen expiration dates! If you don’t see a specific date, look for the PAO symbol (Point After Opening), listed in numbers by months. For example, if you see “6M” that means your product is good for 6 months after opening. Out with the old and in with the new!
Note to My Readers
I hope you’ve enjoyed these 10 tips for your best skin this summer. Remember to address any specific concerns with your dermatologist. Also if you’re looking for our best skincare products delivered quarterly, view our seasonal skincare boxes!
Happy Reading!
XOXO,
