Let’s Talk About Summer Skincare

Summer is here in full swing! As you dust off your sandals, sundresses, and bikinis, it’s time to make a seasonal switch in your skincare and cosmetics as well. When temperatures soar, your skin has different needs. Taking good care of your skin in these blazing months is one of the biggest contributors to maintaining a youthful, radiant complexion.

Don’t Skimp on the SPF

You’ve heard it countless times before: wearing sunscreen helps prevent both skin cancer and premature aging. We can counteract many signs of aging thanks to Botox, Microdermabrasion, Photoactif Anti-Aging Facials, and many of our other anti-aging treatments, but it is ideal to take preventative measures as well. Unfortunately, finding a good sunscreen is tricky. Many women skip sunscreen and just wear makeup with SPF instead, but this does not offer enough protection. According to dermatologist Leslie Baumann, MD, “You need seven times the normal amount of foundation and 14 times the normal amount of powder to get the sun protection factor on the label.” Instead of relying on your makeup, here are a few traits to look for in your sunscreen:

• Contains either zinc oxide or titanium oxide. These compounds reflect the sun’s harmful rays away from your skin.
• Broad spectrum coverage. This term means protection from both UVA and UVB rays. UVA is what causes age-related damage and UVB is what burns your skin.
• The higher the SPF, the better. The number corresponds to how much protection you are receiving from UVB rays. SPF 15 blocks about 93% of UVB rays, whereas SPF 45 blocks around 97%. Unfortunately there is no sunscreen that is able to protect you 100%.

So where do you find a sunscreen that has all of these features but doesn’t smell bad or cause breakouts? It’s no easy task, but we do have one recommendation. We love the Kate Somerville Daily Deflector™ Waterlight Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ PA+++ Anti-Aging Sunscreen. It is comfortable on the skin, fragrance free, and contains all of the key traits we previously mentioned.

Vacation-Ready Makeup

During these scorching months, you may want to reconsider your makeup regimen in favor of a lighter-weight, more sweat-resistant look. Natural and glowy makeup looks are very on-trend this summer, so take advantage of that and let your skin breathe. Here are a few types of makeup products you may want to consider adding to your repertoire this summer:

• Primer. When you sweat, your makeup is more likely to shift around on your face. After you moisturize and apply sunscreen, try applying a primer before your BB cream or foundation. We love the NYX Photo Loving Primer.
• BB cream. BB cream is an abbreviation for beauty balm. It was developed by a dermatologist who wanted a single product that would protect skin while also providing coverage after laser treatments like our Photorejuvenation and Titan treatments. These creams are a great replacement for heavy-coverage foundations during warmer months. We like the Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35.
• Makeup setting spray. Like the primer, this helps keep your makeup looking fresh all day. Setting spray is the final step in your makeup routine. We like to NYX Dewy Finish Setting Spray. Giving your face 4-5 sprays of this product will provide you with a soft, glowy look while keeping oiliness and shifting makeup at bay all day.

Summer Skin Deserves a Spa Day

That’s right, we are fully giving you an excuse to pamper yourself! No matter how diligent you are with your skincare this summer, being outside and enjoying the season will doubtlessly leave your skin needing a little extra TLC. Face masks, facials, and peels are all great options to bring life and hydration back into your sun-soaked skin. We offer several amazing treatments to revitalize your skin. For example, the Vitamin C Ultrasonic Facial protects and rejuvenates your skin from sun and pollution. Our Oil Control Deep Pore Facial will refresh your skin if your sweaty summer fun is causing you to have some clogged pores. But if you’re looking for a quick skin fix, we love the whole line of fresh face masks from Lush.

So now that you have the whole scoop on how to protect, maintain, and rejuvenate your skin this summer, get out there and enjoy the beautiful weather!