The 3 Top Summer Skincare Sins to Avoid
If there’s a time of year when you just want to get up and go, it’s summer. Effortless hair and makeup… it’s the time when many of us opt for minimal work and maximum fun. Though we’re preaching to the choir, taking care of your skin paves way for flawless makeup application no matter how light or how bold you decide to go. As the mercury rises, make sure you avoid these three skincare sins before you put on your beach hat and frolic by the sea!
Not Changing Moisturizers
Especially if you’re a creature of habit, you might simply roll over your winter skincare regimen into the spring and summer seasons. Everyone’s skin is unique, but for most people keeping a heavier product to take care of parched winter skin isn’t a good idea when your skin is sweltering from the heat in the summer. Richer moisturizers can weigh down the skin in hot weather, which is why moisturizer is the most important thing to update for the sunny season.
Our skin begins to create more sebum in hot weather—because of this, it’s important to keep what we put on our skin lightweight. We recommend switching to a moisturizer with a water-based gel or lightweight lotion formulation instead of a cream.
Sun Protection
Since the sun is blazing, you’re probably patting yourself on the back (figuratively) with sunscreen (literally). But are you sure you’re using enough? More often than not, we don’t apply sufficient amounts of sunscreen. For instance, on Skincancer.org, dermatologist Elizabeth K. Hale, MD recommends using about a nickel-sized amount of sunscreen on the face. Chances are, if you’re using moisturizer with built-in SPF or a separate product, you’re using less (we get it—gooping on sunscreen isn’t the most pleasant feeling). On top of that, you also need to repeatedly reapply if you’re outdoors for a prolonged period of time, especially during peak hours.
One more thing: you kind of need sunscreen all the time, even if you’re just driving to your indoor destination. Sunlight that streams through glass is just as damaging as direct sunlight.
Overworking the Skin
Don’t be too rough on your skin. It is the most delicate organ of the body but the one we tend to overwork the most, especially as we battle sweat and clogged pores during the summer. As tempting as it may be, stay away from roughly textured exfoliants, which can cause sensitivity and irritation on top of all that extra sun exposure. A deep-cleaning pore face mask is great for pulling out the toxins and dirt from the skin but just as with exfoliants, use masks only once or a couple of times per week, depending on the strength of your skin.
