Use these strategies and products to protect your face and body this season. By Sally Wadyka
Four-Step Summer Skin Routine
1. Cleanse in the a.m and p.m. If your face is greasy in the summertime (even if it's normally considered dry), try a less hydrating cleanser than you normally use-like a bar soap-which will help control the extra sebum your skin is producing.
2. Apply your antioxidants. The sun's rays can induce damaging free radicals, resulting in fine lines, sagging, and brown spots. "Using a serum with antioxidants under your moisturizer, preferably one with SPF, can help absorb some of these free radicals," says David E. Bank, a dermatologist and the director of the Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser Surgery, in Mount Kisco, New York. Some of the most effective antioxidants include vitamin C, Idebenone, and green tea. Try Prevage Clarity Targeted Skin Tone Corrector with Idebenone ($125, elizabetharden.com).
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3. Moisturize. "Don't stop using a face moisturizer during the summer, even if your skin is oily," says Amy Wechsler, a dermatologist in New York City. The hydrating ingredients (including water) in face creams help keep skin cells functioning properly. But if your skin feels slick, switch to an oil-free formula or moisturize only after cleansing at night.
4. Use a lot of sunscreen. Unless your moisturizer has broad-spectrum protection of at least SPF 15 (see What to Look for in a Sunscreen), you'll have to wear a separate sunscreen on top. Apply it often (every couple of hours), and reapply after sweating or swimming, says David J. Leffell, a professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine. A shot glass-size amount (one ounce) should cover your whole body; a tablespoon will protect your face and neck. Think of sunscreen as the most important tool in your summer skin arsenal. We like the seven picks for your face and body that follow.
See More: Best Budget-Friendly Body Lotions
Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 60
This often recommended dermatologist brand now comes in an even lighter form ideal for oily and combination skin.
To buy: $28, amazon.com.
Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream SPF 35 PA+++
The three pluses indicate high UVA protection; it also provides antioxidants.
To buy: $30, macys.com.
See More: 7 Ways to (Get Your Skin) Glowing
Coppertone Oil Free Foaming Sunscreen SPF 75+
If you always miss spots with clear spray-ons, this formula is for you. It offers the same ease of use, but you can see where you've slathered.
To buy: $9, target.com.
Origins A Perfect World SPF 35 UV Face Protector
Antioxidant-rich white tea, combined with vitamins C and E, helps protect against wrinkles and smooths the complexion; avobenzone absorbs UVA rays.
To buy: $27.50, macys.com.
Read the Rest: The Best Sunscreens (and Summer Skin-Care Tips)
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