The basics of summer skincare
The days are getting longer, the plants are coming back to life, and New Yorkers are emerging from our indoor hibernations to start enjoying the sun again.
However, the harsh sun and outdoor activities that come with warmer months can also cause damage to your skin. If you want to make sure that you’re properly preparing and caring for your skin as things heat up, here are 5 of my best tips for summer skincare.
Hydrate
While your skin may feel more hydrated during the spring and summer, it’s also during warmer months that your skin’s natural barrier can be damaged by harsh sun and outdoor activities.
To protect your skin and ensure lasting radiance, look for products that use humectants to boost moisture or strengthen your skin's barrier. Personally, I use The Duo by Tulura, which includes a Vitamin Peptide Serum and The Botanical Facial Oil. The Serum provides instant hydration while the Oil repairs and protects the epidermis.
Carry a water bottle with you and fill up when you can! I love to add a slice of lemon and a dash of sea salt to help rehydrate the body.
Use sunblock (not sunscreen)
It’s easy to confuse sunblock and sunscreen, but there actually is a big difference! Chemical sunscreens absorb the sun's energy and disperse it back into your body while sunblocks physically block the sun's rays to better protect your skin. Sunblocks are healthier for you and the environment:
if worn in the ocean, sunscreen runoff can damage aquatic creatures and coral reefs.
So, stay away from sunscreens (especially those that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate) and instead, opt for sunblocks that contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. I love Suntegrity Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen & Primer by Suntegrity.
Sunburns happen :(
Aloe vera is excellent at soothing a painful sunburn. Keep a bottle stocked in your fridge for easy access. Make sure to read the ingredients to ensure you are getting a great product — Aloe Vera should be listed as the first ingredient! Full fat greek yogurt (unflavored) also helps to calm inflammation and easy to find when traveling.
Another good idea is to take cool showers, apply oils to damp skin, and wear loose, breathable clothing. I’ve had many customers say the Tulura Botanical Facial Oil is excellent at soothing sunburns — try it.
Add in some Vitamin C
Vitamin C can help prevent and treat summer skin damage by regulating the production of collagen, which keeps skin soft and smooth. Our bodies can’t naturally produce Vitamin C, so we have to make sure we’re adding it into our routines! I get my daily topical dose with our Vitamin Peptide Serum.
You can also reap some of the benefits by adding Vitamin C into your diet. For example, watermelon is a cooling and thirst quenching snack perfect for summer and super high in Vitamin C. I also take Liposomal or Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C supplement — a great way to stimulate collagen and elastin production in our bodies and keep skin looking fresh.
Cleanse (with oil cleanser)
Cleansing is very important during the summer. Your sebaceous glands — which produce oil — are more active during the warmer months and can thus cause more congestion. To remedy this, I recommend using a good oil cleanser. This will break down congestion without stripping away your skin’s natural barrier.
If you want, you can also use a warm washcloth to further clean your pores or follow up with a second cleanser.
Invest in a good hat
You can never be too safe when it comes to avoiding sun damage! While sunblocks are great, a good hat is the best way to protect your skin. I always suggest that my clients invest in a snug, wide-brimmed hat for sunnier months.
Personally, I’ve found great options at House of Lafayette, which offers a wide range of classic and chic handmade hats that you can customize to your liking at their New York Atelier.
Bonus
Why not skip your makeup and embrace your natural beauty? Yes please!