11 Skin Care Tips from a Dermatologist

We all know that maintaining our health comes in many different forms. What we tend to forget (or at least I do!) is that our skin care is also important. Especially during summer when we tend to be out of doors more. So, in browsing different articles, I found the following courtesy of iVillage.

1-Look For a Lighter Sunscreen With the Same Protection
Fact: Summer's heat and humidity can do a number on your skin. To give your complexion a break this season, try lightening up your skincare routine by switching to a gel or liquid sunscreen. Why? “These products soak in faster and are less likely to leave you looking and feeling greasy,” explains Jessica Wu, M.D., a Los Angeles dermatologist and author of the book, Feed Your Face. Acne prone? Go oil-free to avoid clogging your more sensitive pores. Dr. Wu recommends Kiehls Super Fluid UV Defense, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen Fluid or Clarins UV Plus Day Screen SPF 40. “These dry quickly so your makeup goes on smoothly and evenly,” she says. Have a darker complexion? You aren’t immune to sun damage, says Dr. Wu. Sunscreen is still crucial to avoid melasma, sun spots and skin cancer, so don’t skimp just because you don’t think you will burn!

2-Minimize Your Moisturizer
As the weather heats up, you have to adapt your skincare routine to the changes in temperature and humidity (not to mention activities!). In the summertime, it’s all about swapping out heavy products that can combine with sweat and turn your face into an oil slick, clogging your pores and leading to breakouts. You’ll look fresher and your makeup will last longer if you swap your heavy facial cream for a lightweight formula. You can also eliminate an entire step from your routine -- and beauty product clutter -- with a combination sunscreen and moisturizer. Dr. Wu likes Aveeno Smart Essentials Daily Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30. Her skin-saving advice: "Only apply this product to dry skin patches and avoid the oilier T-zone."

3-Stop Sweat Before It Starts
Take action as soon as you step out of the shower to stave off perspiration for the rest of the day, suggests Dr. Wu. You haven’t got a chance if you’re already sweating before you get to the deodorant, so she suggests using a hair dryer to blow cool air under your arms before you apply. If this doesn’t cut it, extra strength antiperspirants (such as Dove Clinical Protection or Secret Clinical Strength) might do the trick. In extreme cases, Dr. Wu says your dermatologist might recommend Botox injections to help with excessive sweating. “Botox stops sweating by blocking the signal from the nerve endings that tell the sweat glands to secrete sweat,” she explains.

4-Protect Your Hair From the Elements
“Sun, salt water and chlorine can really dry out your hair, leading to split ends and ruining your color,” Dr. Wu says. To prevent this problem, rinse your hair with fresh water and apply conditioner when you get out of the pool or ocean. This can also keep the metals in pool water from turning blond hair green, she says. If you wear a part or have thinning hair, rub some SPF into your scalp to prevent painful burning. For coarser hair, Dr. Wu also recommends staying away from oil-based hair products, which can make your mane look and feel greasy. “Instead, switch to an oil-free hair serum and only use it as needed to tame frizz.”

5-Be Mindful When Getting a Mani-Pedi
Making time for a manicure? Bring along your own polish and tools to the nail salon so you know they’re sanitary, suggests Dr. Wu, since if not properly cleaned, manicure instruments can expose you to infection-causing bacteria. Next, ask your manicurist not to cut your cuticles. The reason: “Cuticles are there to protect the nails and keep bacteria and fungus from getting underneath your skin, so there should be a tight seal between your cuticle and your nail,” Dr. Wu says. Doing an at-home manicure? Look for a nail polish remover without formaldehyde -- this chemical can dry out your nails and skin, spurring painful splits, says Dr. Wu. Lastly, to combat cracks and dry cuticles, she sugggests sweet almond oil. It’s high in emollient, skin-saving omega-3 fatty acids so it won’t wash away with soap and water.

6-Use Sunscreen to Avoid Under-Eye Bags
Over time, the sun's strong UV rays can break down the collagen and elastic tissue in your skin, making it looser. “This is especially apparent around the eyes, since the skin in this area is thinner than in the rest of your face and lacks oil glands,” Dr. Wu says. However, using creamy sunscreens around your eyes can lead to milia cysts -- small, unsightly white bumps filled with oil and dead skin. To avoid the appearance of eye bags, Dr. Wu suggests using a quick-drying sunscreen liquid or gel. If you’re into summer sports, she recommends a water resistant formula, such as Anthelios SPF 45 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid for Face, because it stays put and won’t sting your eyes.

7-Shower Before Shaving for a Smoother Bikini Line
If you prefer shaving your bikini line over waxing, Dr. Wu recommends shaving at the end of your shower, when the hair is softer and your skin is less sensitive (your pores are open and supple). When you hop out of the shower, immediately apply a gentle lotion to the area. A warning: Shaving can sometimes lead to ingrown hairs -- the tip of the hair grows into the surrounding skin causing a pink bump. If you notice an ingrown hair, resist the urge to use tweezers or try to squeeze it! “Instead, if you see a hair trapped just under the skin, lift the tip of the hair with a clean needle -- if you can reach it without making it bleed --to help it pop back up through the surface.” You don’t want to pull the hair out from the root because you will irritate the follicle and aggravate surrounding skin.

8-Banish Body Acne With Salicylic Acid
Breakouts on places other than your face are definitely more common in the summer months, says Dr. Wu. Why? Sweat can stick to your clothes and cause friction or clog pores, both of which can result in pimples on your chest, back, backside and elsewhere. To safeguard yourself, Dr. Wu recommends using a body wash with salicylic acid, like Neutrogena Body Clear Pink Grapefruit, to dry out body acne. And don’t skimp on exfoliating just because your skin’s less dry in the summer, especially if you use a self-tanning spray or lotion. “Dead skin grabs onto self tanner so it looks darker in dry areas, and you end up looking blotchy,” Dr. Wu says. Using a body scrub in the shower will help clear away dead skin so the tint can absorb more evenly. Dr. Wu recommends Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish and Burt’s Bees Cranberry & Pomegranate Sugar

9-Green Tea Can Soothe a Sunburn
Research shows that green tea can have positive benefits for the skin, like reducing inflammation and fighting cancer-causing carcinogens. For instance, to soothe sunburn, Dr. Wu suggests applying a cool green tea compress for five to 10 minutes, two to three times a day. “Dip a thin washcloth in cold green tea, wring it out and apply to your sunburn to help relieve redness, swelling and pain,” she says. During the rest of the day, she advises using Aloe Vera gel and an anti-inflammatory painkiller, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, to bring down swelling. Try an over-the-counter cortisone cream if the burn gets itchy as it heals. To avoid looking like a lobster again in the future, Dr. Wu advises thinking ahead: “In the future, try eating more cooked tomatoes." Research at the Universities of Newcastle and Manchester has shown that the lycopene in tomato-based foods can protect against painful sunburn and sun damage.

10-Pamper Your Feet For Soft, Fresh Skin
In the summertime, our feet can’t seem to catch a break. Wearing sweaty shoes and socks can give rise to an itchy infection like athlete’s foot, but sandals can lead to painful cracks and calluses. To keep away moisture, which creates a perfect breading ground for bacteria and fungus, Dr. Wu suggests using a deodorant foot powder, such as Dr. Scholl’s Original Foot Powder, and letting your feet breathe whenever you can. For cracked heels and rough spots she recommends soaking your feet in warm water and using a foot paddle, like OPI Pedicure Foot File or Diamancel Foot Paddle, or a pumice stone to slough off dead skin. “Afterwards, rub on a rich foot cream and put on socks to lock in the moisture.”

11-Cool Down to Fight a Rosacea Flare Up
When you have rosacea -- a condition spurring redness, swelling and small pimples on your face -- it often causes your face to flush so you look like you’re blushing. It can flare up more frequently and intensely in high temperatures. Dr. Wu’s advice is to take any steps necessary to keep yourself cool. “I recommend carrying a spray mister of water,” she says. “If you’re in the car, spray your face and turn the air conditioner vent towards you.” Heat and steam from hot drinks can also worsen flushing, so get that latte or tea over ice, and skip hot soup altogether, Dr. Wu says. Bonus: These tips can also double as relief for hot flashes.