Myth Busting Tips for Summer Skincare

In eager anticipation of the hot summer weather, many forget the common side effects from days spent at the beach and in the park, including dryness, dead skin, discoloration, peeling and sensitivity. As Chief of the Division of Dermatologic and Cosmetic Surgery at the Mount Sinai Medical Center New York, my primary concern with the skin is protection from the sun. 

However, I am also aware that many of my clients still want a healthy glow, and beyond SPFs, there is a great deal of confusion surrounding the dos and don’ts of skincare protection and skin regeneration.  See my top tips for summer skincare below, as well as an ideal summer skincare routine.

1. Most sunscreens do not protect against 80% of the sun's potentially harmful ultraviolet radiation. Sunlight has a profound effect on the skin. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and are the major source of early aging and skin cancer. UVB rays primarily access the surface of the skin and are the key source of sunburns.
2. It's important to know that UVA rays are more constant throughout the day and the year, and also penetrate glass windows (US drivers have skin cancers on their left side and UK drivers on their right!). Sun protection needs to be year-round – it is an indoor and outdoor concern.
3. SPF numbers do matter in terms of the strength of the product. SPF 15, the minimum recommended number, blocks 94% of UVB rays, and SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays.
4. Sunscreen evaporates as it gets used up in the sun. Like gasoline in a car, the more you’re out in the sun, the more you have to reapply – or “refill” your tank. As the sun hits your skin, the sunscreen is converted into heat and evaporates. The longer you’re out in the sun, the quicker your sunscreen evaporates – just like how your tank empties. You need to reapply every 1-2 hours, as you would refill your gas tank.
   Because waterproof SPFs are made with an adhesive, an exfoliator helps to transition skin from day to night and get rid of that sticky feeling. You don’t have to use a lot of harsh soaps to get rid of that feeling on your skin. Instead, you can exfoliate (with a gentle exfoliator like Terralina’s new Gentle Facial Exfoliator) and finish up with a gentle, creamy moisturizer.
5. A common misconception is that you can’t maintain Retin-A use during the summer because it makes your skin photosensitive. This is not the case. Sun degrades Retin-A, making it useless. But, you can use Retin-A as long as you use sun block to maintain healthy skin during the summer. You can use day and night, but be sure to use a creamy moisturizer like Terralina’s Facial Moisturizer, as Retin-A itself causes your skin to peel.
6. If you burn, take an Aspirin as it is an anti-inflammatory and will help ease the pain and swelling.

My ideal summer skincare routine:

1. Exfoliate at least once a week - salt and chlorine make skin rough and dry.
2. Always carry multiple types of sunscreens so you can reach every part of your body – a spray, a stick, lotion, and a tear-free formula (so it won’t sting if you exercise).  Use every day, reapply every two hours.
3. Stock up on good body and face moisturizers.   All of the water our bodies come into contact with during the summer – the pool, the ocean, the outdoor showers - dries out the skin.  Look for a chemical free formula – you’re already exposing your body to enough chemicals in bug repellents and sunscreens.
4. For those who like to use antioxidants, it’s a good idea to use an antioxidant at night to help fight some of the free radicals you picked up during the day from extra sun exposure.
5. If your face ever feels sticky or greasy, use a creamy exfoliator on your hairline, nose, around your mouth, and on your neck and upper chest.  Be gentle on your cheeks!

For more information and additional tips, please visit www.ellenmarmur.com .

Photo by Peter Hurley.