Preventing Sunburn
According to dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross, there are plenty of products you can use to help prevent sunburn in the summer. And we don't know about you, but taking a few minutes before heading out in the sun sounds a hell of a lot better than red, painful skin.
For starters, our pro suggests wearing a wide-brimmed hat and avoiding prolonged exposure between 10 AM and 2 PM, AKA when the sun is at its strongest.
Dr. Gross also suggests sunnies to prevent crow's feet, wearing protective clothing, and obviously, a bottle of SPF like his new Instant Radiance Sun Defense 40 ($42; sephora.com).
"It's important that you find a sunscreen you like, because you'll be more likely to use it every day, 365 days a year—even on cloudy days or in the winter months. Research shows that a substantial amount of premature aging comes from incidental sun exposure when we're unaware of it—such as when we're out shopping or even grabbing lunch," he says.
Dr. Gross says we should be reapplying every 3-4 hours and using between 2-4 ounces of protect to cover your face and body. Don't forget to protect your hands and lips, too!
Dry Skin
Dry skin doesn't only plague us in the bitter cold... It's a common prob in the summer, too. So what should we keep handy to make this less of an issue? Celebrity makeup artist Joanna Schlip suggest a body product with shea butter to slather on for maximum absorption, a face scrub (Dr. Lancer's happens to be her fave), a dry brush for exfoliation, and a powder or bronzer with SPF. That's key!
Schlip also suggests a 2-in-1 product that holds coconut water and argan oil. Think Physician's Formula Argan Wear 2-in-1 Argan Oil & Coconut Water Primer ($15; physiciansformula.com)
"To combat dry skin from chorine and sun, you should frequently use a 2-in-1 mix of coconut water and argan oil. Water is the basis of moisture, so just applying oil isn't enough. The combo is more hydrating for face, body, and hair," she notes.
Razor Burn
Ouch! Definitely not one of our favorite summer skin-care situations. According to dermatologist and host of DermTV.com, Dr. Neal Schultz, when you shave has a lot to do with it. "Only shave only in the shower at the end, not the beginning when the hair has absorbed the maximum moisture, so it makes it easier for the razor to cut the hair and reduce irritation," he says.
Dr. Schultz also suggests using a shave gel or a cream. "These are better than a foam or soap," he notes. "Shave first with the grain of the hair. Then, for a closer shave without irritation, rinse, reapply the shaving cream or gel, and then shave against the grain. I love Edge Shaving Gel for sensitive skin and Gillette makes good shaving products, also."
We're big fans of the Venus Swirl Razor ($13; jet.com), which has a flexi-ball that bends around hard-to-shave places like your armpits and knees.
Finally, Dr. Schultz suggests having a cleanser on hand. "The reason is the cleanser will strip the oils off the hairs, so those hairs can be penetrated and softened by the moisture in the shower (or bath). This makes it easier for the razor to cut the hairs, requiring less pressure on the skin (by the razor), which immediately reduces the potential for irritation," he says.
Treating Sunburn
So you stayed out with Mr. Sun a little too long? It's not great, but it happens. According to dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, it's important to help repair your skin with hydration. He suggests applying a rich, soothing moisturizer ASAP, as well as every 4 to 6 hours. We love Moroccanoil After Sun Milk in these situations.
He also suggests applying a 1% hydrocortisone ointment twice daily to help heal the sunburn.
Finally, you'll still need an SPF. Yep, you read that correctly.
"Skin is skin regardless of where it is burned, so the same rules apply for treating your face and body, however you may choose different products to apply on the face versus the body," he says. "Facial sunscreens may have different aesthetics compared to body sunscreens. If you have sensitive skin, acne, rosacea, sun spots, or wrinkles, choose a specialized product for your skin need, but that has broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Apply and reapply to ensure proper UV protection. I like Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30. ($11; walmart.com)."
