Top Five Skin Care Products for Summer
Summer is a wonderful season, with its fresh produce and expanded outdoor activities, all certain to impart a healthy glow to the skin. But it can also be extra-tough on skin. In addition, it features different skin-care challenges from those of winter: more sun exposure, higher humidity, more perspiration, and added outdoor pollution. That’s why you need to adapt your regular skin-care routine to the season.
Your board-certified dermatologists at Genesis Dermatology in Jupiter, Florida, want to review five great ways you can protect and repair your skin.
Cleanse
Because of the added heat and humidity, skin tends to be oilier and break out more in the summer due to the build-up of sebum and dead skin cells. Not to mention the grime that tends to accumulate when you perspire. That’s why you need a deep-cleansing product, but one that’s also gentle on the skin.
Dry skin also needs cleansing in summer, but it must be a gentle type of cleanser that will not strip moisture from the skin. Oil-based cleansers work especially well for removing dirt and makeup while preserving the skin’s natural moisture. Finish with a light toner to close pores, especially if you are prone to oily skin.
Moisturize
If your skin is naturally oily, you may think you don’t need to add insult to injury by adding a moisturizing product on top of it. But you still need the protection of a light moisturizer, one that contains a high concentration of water, and is labeled non-comedogenic (meaning, less apt to cause acne).
Even though skin tends to produce more oil in the summer, that doesn’t mean it will be enough to hydrate your skin if it is normally dry. If you spend time in air conditioning, remember that it works by pulling humidity from the air, thus drying out your skin as effectively as arctic winds. Look for a light cream that will retain moisture without clogging pores or appearing greasy.
Protect
We can’t say it often enough: When you’re out in the sun, protect your skin with a sunscreen containing at least an SPF of 30, preferably higher. Use it when you’re on the beach, on a boat, playing sports, or any time you’re outdoors. Remember that the sun’s rays can “bounce” beneath an umbrella when you’re on the beach, or reflect off of white concrete. It can also penetrate windows, so if you spend time near a window, use sunscreen throughout the day.
If your skin is oily, look for “oil free” on the sunscreen’s label. Be sure to cover areas you wouldn’t normally think of, including the tops of ears and the part in your hair. And since sunscreen loses potency over time, especially when exposed to heat, it’s best to purchase a new supply every summer.
Repair
If you’re unlucky enough to get a sunburn, treat it with aloe or skim milk to cool the burn, and aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen to reduce inflammation. (If you have blisters, faintness, nausea, or vomiting, get immediate medical attention.)
Because skin uses the time when you’re sleeping to repair itself, this is the perfect opportunity to nourish it with a thicker moisturizer containing peptides, antioxidants, and vitamins C and A. Dermal infusion peels done by our esthetician help remove dead skin cells and hydrate your skin to give it a refreshing glow.
Touch up
Facial mists not only cool your skin, but provide a dewy look to the complexion. And keep a supply of blotting papers in your purse to minimize oily shine throughout the day.
Talk to us to learn more ways to protect, nourish, and revitalize your skin for summer.
