The heat is on!
The arrival of warm weather means picnics in the park, sandcastles on the beach — and if you’re unprepared, sunburns on your skin.
There’s no need to be a hot mess this summer. We’ve got you covered.
Here are the best skincare practices for summer, including two ingredients to look for when selecting sunscreen.
SPF 101
Skincare routines do not necessarily have to change in the summer, however, some people realize that they may not need the thicker creams and ointments they use to hydrate their body in the winter.
In the summer, we tend to reach for lighter moisturizers like lotions and light creams.
SPF is our summertime BFF — that’s because sunscreen protects us against two types of harmful ultraviolet radiation.
UVA leads to long-term damage like skin aging, brown spots and unwanted skin growths, while UVB fuels sunburns and contributes to skin cancer.
SPF 30 is typically fine for daily use. If you’re going to be outside for a long time or in a very sunny location like the beach, then SPF 50 is best.
Sunscreen should be slathered on every day, rain or shine. That includes cloudy days.
Chemical vs. mineral
People often ask me if I recommend a chemical sunscreen or a mineral one. Whichever one you like, I love.
The primary difference between chemical and mineral sunscreens lies in how they protect against UV radiation.
Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing UV light, converting it into heat, whereas mineral sunscreens primarily block and reflect UV light.
Mineral sunscreens are less likely to clog pores and irritate the skin, which can cause breakouts after use. Chemical sunscreens tend to be a bit more cosmetically elegant.
If you go for a chemical sunscreen, look for the ingredients avobenzone and oxybenzone. They work really well in protecting the skin from UV light.
Bright ideas
A common question I get is, do people with darker skin need sunscreen? All skin needs to be protected from UV light.
If you have recently gotten Botox or fillers, sun exposure is OK — but don’t forget you still need sunscreen.
If you have undergone laser or light therapy, you should be extra cautious of sun exposure. Wear a broad-brimmed hat, walk on the shady sides of the street and be sure to put on broad-spectrum sunscreen that’s at least SPF 30.
A lot of makeup products have SPF built in, but it’s usually only 10 or 15 — not enough to protect against UV light. Makeup should go on top of other sunscreen products.
If you’re on the fence, go ahead and get sunscreen made in Japan or Korea. There are high-tier, elegant options that offer extensive UVA and UVB protection as well.
But before purchasing a sunscreen, check if the container notes it’s non-comedogenic. That means it’s not prone to clogging pores.
In general, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, particularly if you’re outside for a long time.
If you are sweating or swimming, you should probably reapply closer to every hour, but check the label because some sunscreens are only water-resistant for 80 minutes or even less.
Shady practices
I would recommend against using expired sunscreen since it’s not quite as effective. Most sunscreens only last about a year from when you open the container. Toss those crusty tubes!
I would also steer clear of homemade sunscreens because they may contain harsh ingredients that can harm the skin.
And definitely don’t ignore sunburns. A cool compress, an NSAID like ibuprofen and aloe vera can help soothe irritated and inflamed skin.
We’re looking for summer glow, not crisp couture.
Lisa O. Akintilo is a board-certified dermatologic surgeon in the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Langone Health. She is also a specialist at NYU Langone’s Skin of Color Services. Dr. Akintilo sees patients for acne, aging skin, melasma, hyperpigmentation and other cosmetic dermatology treatments.
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