TEN WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR SKIN IN SUMMER
1. Exfoliate for clearer, smoother skin
What it does: Exfoliation removes dead, dulling skin debris to prevent congestion and improve hydration from toners and moisturizers.
When: Perform in the mornings prior to toner, moisturizer, SPF and make-up application. Tip: Make-up will last longer on an exfoliated skin!
Don’t forget: After you exfoliate, follow with a hydrating body cream to seal in moisture, and always shield freshly exfoliated skin with an SPF (as recommended by the FDA).
Recommended: Daily Microfoliant®, Exfoliating Body Scrub, Body Hydrating Cream.
2. Keep skin hydrated
How: Up your regimen’s level of hydration with intensive masques, perfect for use one to two times a week. Boosters are a great fit, working best when layered underneath a moisturizer. Toners are a refreshing moisturizer prep, working to even out skin porosity. Tip: Refresh with a revitalizing toner spritz at your desk, in the car, at the gym, on the plane!
Recommended: Antioxidant HydraMist, Skin Hydrating Booster, Skin Hydrating Masque.
3. Make friends with H20
Why: Higher temperatures and more time outdoors leads to internal dehydration, which can result in headaches and dizzy spells!
What you can do: Eight 8-ounce glasses of plain, filtered water every day help maintain critical moisture balance of the body and skin, and assist in detoxification. Tip: If you drink caffeinated beverages, you must triple the amount of water you drink!
Recommended: Plain and pure water!
4. When in doubt, apply (and reapply!)
Why: It’s not enough to just apply sunscreen.: you must apply enough, and apply frequently. Studies indicate that most people do not apply nearly as much daylight protection as they should.
How much: A teaspoon for the face. For the body, about as much as would fill a shot glass.
How often: Re-apply every two hours. Tip: Stay out of the midday sun from mid-morning to late afternoon whenever you can.
Bonus: Today’s sophisticated formulas and technology let you select sun protection that works with your skin condition. That means you can choose oil-free, mattifying formulas, extra emollient formulas for dry skin, or chemical free formulas for sensitized, reactive skin.
Recommended: Oil Free Matte SPF30, Super Sensitive Shield SPF30.
5. Soothe over-exposed skin
What: You forgot the sunscreen, didn’t apply enough, or got caught in a sunny spell.
What’s next: Unfortunately, the damage is done, but you don’t have to suffer in pain! Super-soothing botanicals and cooling gels can help prevent peeling and reduce redness and inflammation.
How: Apply cooling balms generously over-exposed skin, preferably at the first sight of a pink glow.
Prevent: One blistering sunburn doubles your risk of melanoma -- remember to get a yearly skin exam by a doctor and perform a self-examination once a month to detect early warning signs of carcinomas and malignant melanoma. Look for a new growth or any skin change.
Recommended: After Sun Repair
6. Repair and treat sun damage
What causes skin damage: UV light causes photoaging in the form of brown spots, coarse skin and wrinkles, whether you have burned your skin or not. When sunlight comes in contact with skin a cascade of damage results (including the stripping of barrier lipids) causing inflammation, production of reactive oxygen molecules that affect healthy cell growth, and stimulation of collagen destructing enzymes.
What to do: A tan may be a popular summer look, but it indicates damage. Bombard your skin with age-fighting ingredients to help undo any damage that may occur, and to further protect it from the aging effects of UV.
A little dab won't do you. You want to shield yourself from the sun, but how much sunscreen is enough? "Think of those small paper cups used for holding ketchup at Wendy's or other fast-food restaurants," says Atlanta-based skincare specialist Alison O'Neil Andrew, B.S., M.E., A.R.S., president of Health Aesthetic Consultants. "That's the amount of sunscreen that should be used." Rub on 30 minutes before sun exposure and again every 90 minutes. Even water-resistant sunscreens can be rubbed away when toweling off after a swim, so be sure to reapply.
Shield your skin from dryness and sun damage. Dry skin accentuates fine lines and wrinkles, so keep your complexion hydrated to prevent it from looking dull and washed-out. You'll get more face time with a daily moisturizer that contains vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant. It protects skin from free radicals (environmental enemies such as pollution) and also repairs past sun damage.
If you use SPF 15 foundation after you rub on an SPF 30 sunscreen, don't think you're getting 45 digits worth of protection, says O'Neil Andrew. In fact, you only get the protection of the highest number, in this case SPF 30. But as an extra perk, the moisture provided by the sunscreen will result in a smoother application of the foundation. No more unsightly foundation creases!
Or, go for two-in-one coverage. Look for a moisturizer that contains an SPF of 15 or higher. If you opt for an SPF-free lotion, make sure you also use a sunscreen, no matter what the season. UV rays are a hazard all year, and sun damage is the number-one cause of premature aging.
Eat right. A healthy diet can work wonders for your skin. Stimulate your complexion's collagen growth with foods rich in antioxidants, including leafy green vegetables, blueberries, cantaloupe and other melons. Salmon and egg whites are excellent sources of protein, which helps nourish skin and repair damage.
Simplify your makeup routine. Stick to the basics: mascara, lip gloss, concealer and switch to a bronzing blush to show off your natural beauty this summer.
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Replace razors more often. Bare legs and bikini lines mean more diligent hair removal. Make sure your razor is up to par by switching it every week. Better yet, try waxing, a longer-lasting alternative.
Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate. Relaxing by the beach can do wonders for your soul, but can wreak havoc on your skin. Remember to slough off dead skin with a loufah and an exfoliating body wash a few times a week.
Are you running on empty? Long days make summer the perfect time to hit the road running (or walking), but be sure to monitor your fluid intake when you do. "You can lose anywhere from six to twelve ounces of fluid for every twenty minutes of running," says Dr. Varlotta. "Before you begin, drink ten to fifteen ounces of water and continue to do so every twenty to thirty minutes along the route." If you're tackling longer distances, he suggests downing sports drinks, which also add minerals.
Beware of sun sensitivity. If you're taking prescription medications, be sure to check the labels for warnings about how they may affect your body's reaction to the sun and heat, or ask your doctor or pharmacist, says Robert Donovan, president of the Council on Family Health. You could be setting yourself up for a painful sunburn or worse. Similarly, if you are pregnant or have a chronic health condition, ask your doctor about the potentially harmful effects of heat, sun and fatigue.
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