Skincare Tips For Summer

Summer is coming, and with it, sweaty, greasy skin that can lead to breakouts. Step out confidently bare-faced and make-up free with these tips:

Cleanse morning and night with cool water, preferably with a gentle foam cleanser. Avoid using peeling gels and scrubs as they can irritate skin made sensitive to sun exposure.

Stubborn makeup? In the evening, use a pre-cleanse oil to take it off before final washing to minimize harsh scrubbing. A consistent and thorough cleaning regimen counteracts dull and uneven skin tone.

Use an oil-free, water-based moisturizer to counteract dryness. Look for a ‘non-comedogenic’ (does not clog pores) variant formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe water for long-term hydration.

Never skip the sunscreen. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15 for daily activities and SPF 30 for extended sun exposure to protect against burns, UV damage, dark spots, and wrinkles.

‘Broad-spectrum’ means protection vs both UVA (damages skin) and UVB (burns skin) rays.

Sunscreen should sit on top of your moisturizer, not mixed with it. Reapply every two hours if swimming or sweating profusely.

Wear a rash guard in the water or during long sun exposure for ultimate protection against burns and skin damage. Don’t forget to protect your eyes and head with UV-blocking sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.

Choose the right ingredients for your age and skin type. But be careful as some active ingredients shouldn’t mix:

- Hyaluronic acid gives skin a youthful glow

- Salicylic acid (beta hydroxy acid) is recommended for deep cleaning if you’re a commuter exposed to pollution or a heavy makeup user.

- Glycolic, lactic and citric acids (alpha-hydroxy acids or AHAs) exfoliate the skin’s surface

- Retinol treats acne and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines BUT use only at night, never under the sun and not together with other acids.

- Vitamin C fights skin damage and lightens dark spots BUT shouldn’t be used along with AHAs, BHA, retinol or benzoyl peroxide.

For instance, use a Vitamin C serum in the morning with sunscreen, then retinol before bed.

Keep hands off your face. Avoid touching your face with your hands so grease, bacteria and dirt on your skin won’t spread. Pat face with oil blotting paper, and sweat with clean cotton towels or tissue to remove excess oil, grime and sweat.

Hydrate. The extra-hot weather can dehydrate you so drink 2-3 liters of water every day.

- Face mask/sheet: Pop one in the fridge and apply after cleansing and toning to refresh your skin after a sweltering day. Use every other day or as necessary.

- Face mist: When on the go, remove oil from your face with blotting paper then spray on a face mist with aloe vera to soothe warm, flushed skin.