Summer Skin Care Dos and Don’ts

Risks and Tips to Protect Your Skin and Prevent Wrinkles and Maskne this Summer

Summer months equate to enjoying more time outside while getting some natural vitamin D. Unfortunately too much direct sun on your skin with no protection poses many more risks than benefits. Just as we drink iced water and wear light clothing to keep our body cool in the summer, we need to make similar adjustments for our skin to give it what it needs. What it comes down to is two main goals: protection and hydration. 

Summer Skin Risk #1 – Loss of Hydration

Your skin wants a balance between water and oil so when that is compromised in the summertime, you need to do a little extra to maintain the balance. Not only can loss of hydration lead to breakouts and irritation, it also makes your skin more vulnerable to sunburn and skin damage. The heat and humidity in the air work like a sauna opening up your pores and making them more vulnerable to impurities. Plus, if your skin temperature increases from heat or sun exposure by even 1 degree, that can increase your sebum production. So to fight this and maintain balance, you want to strengthen your skin barrier and make sure your skin is properly hydrated. 

Tips from the dermatologists:

• Hydrate the skin and protect the skin barrier with a gentle cleanser. After cleansing, use a non-comedogenic moisturizing lotion—a moisturizer formulated to not block pores—that contains hydrating and skin-protective ingredients such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and dimethicone. Ceramides are natural lipids that help support the skin’s barrier while hyaluronic acid attracts water and therefore, helps to hydrate the skin. Another moisturizing agent—glycerin—attracts moisture into the skin and dimethicone helps to seal the moisture by preventing it from evaporating from the skin surface.
• Hydrate from within. Set a daily water goal and stick to it. Aim for 14 cups a day.  Not only will it help your skin but it will make you more energized and clear minded. 

Summer Skin Risk #2 – Applying Sunscreen Incorrectly 

Most people are under the impression that as long as you use a high SPF, you are using sunscreen properly, but this is a very common misconception. SPF does matter, but the more important factor is how and when you apply it. The SPF that provides the maximum sun protection is actually around SPF 15, but dermatologists promote higher SPF, like SPF 50, because people don’t apply sunscreen nearly as often or as thoroughly as they should. 

Tips from the dermatologists:

• Wear a sunscreen SPF 30 or above, applying it at least 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure, and most importantly, reapplying it every two to three hours or every time you get out of the water 

• Find the right SPF for your needs. Sun protection ingredients are either considered chemical blockers or physical blockers. Physical blockers, like zinc and titanium, are the best level of protection from ultraviolet B and ultraviolet A. Talk to your dermatologist about finding the product that is the right balance of protection and wearability for you. 

Summer Skin Risk #3 – Premature Aging and Wrinkles

Summertime is when your skin is most vulnerable to damage that can cause premature aging and wrinkles. Wrinkles happen for multiple reasons: Number one, genetics. Number two, sun exposure. So the best thing that you can do, since you can’t change your genetics, is sun protection. 

Tips from the dermatologists:

• Wear sunscreen and apply it throughout the day. Revisit Summer Skin Risk #2 for the full SPF rundown. 

• Take advantage of overnight treatments since nighttime is when your skin is doing the most regeneration. Sooth and restore your skin with a prescription-strength retinol or serum that boosts collagen and elasticity. Prescription strength retinol works better than over-the-counter. Those are creams that are prescribed typically by a dermatologist that stimulates collagen production within the skin (they don’t help with deep lines, perhaps with fine lines).

Summer Skin Risk #4 – Summertime ‘Maskne’

Masks could cause even more skin trouble in the heat and humidity of the summer months for those that are prone to ‘maskne’. 

Tips from the dermatologists:

• Keep your skin properly cleansed, hydrated and protected twice a day.
• Fabric-based face coverings made of 100 percent cotton are breathable and recommended for the summer. Use a clean mask daily to prevent the build-up of oil and bacteria that can contribute to acne and related skin conditions.
• Try to go without makeup under the mask if you can. Summer is a great time for a light, hydrating tinted moisturizer.

Now you have all the information you need to keep your skin protected and glowing while you enjoy the outdoors this summer! The three main things to keep in mind are proper hydration, skin barrier protection, and sunscreen application. For more tailored information or product recommendations, schedule an appointment with our dermatologist at 646.819.5100.