You Ask, We Answer: Summer Skin FAQ

By Instyle
Updated Jul 17, 2013 @ 5:18 pm
Credit: Jon Furniss/WireImage

You Ask, We Answer: Summer Skin FAQ

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What is a good SPF for dark skin?

Credit: AP Photo/Evan Agostini

"SPF is a must for all skin colors," says Rancho Mirage dermatologist Wendy E. Roberts, who recommends a minimum of SPF 15 for dark skin, like Zoe Saldana, and SPF 30 or above for lighter skin tones. "When you get tan, even a little, you are damaging skin cells, which leads to premature aging, wrinkles and cancer. Just because you don't burn doesn't mean you are avoiding damage."

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Do I have to wear sunblock all day?

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"Wearing sunblock all day long is the best skin protection," says Roberts. "Put it on first thing in the morning and if you're outside, in peak UV hours, reapply every two to three hours."

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Is tanning bad for you?

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"Yes!" says New York dermatologist Jeannette Graf. "Tanning bombards your body with aging and skin cancer causing UV rays." If you crave a bronze glow like Aimee Teegarden's in the summer months, opt for sunless tanner.

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How do I make my eye makeup stay put?

Credit: Courtesy of Sephora; Courtesy of MAC

Celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles turns to three key products: an eyeshadow base (try NARS, $24; at sephora.com), gel liner (try MAC, $15; at maccosmetics.com) and waterproof mascara. "The primer keeps shadow in place and prevents creasing-even on the hottest days," says Stiles. "Smudge on a touch of shadow and liner and that eye makeup won’t be going anywhere."

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How do I make my skin look fresh?

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For a natural glow like Jennifer Aniston, Graf recommends exfoliating skin several times a week with microdermabrasion, a chemical peel or enzyme kit to remove the dulling layer of dead skin. "Try a retinol product at night like Glytone Night Renewal Cream ($70; at dermstore.com) and use an antioxidant-rich SPF lotion during the day day," she advises.

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What's the best summer lip product?

Credit: Courtesy of LipSurgence; Courtesy of Barney's

"I love a lip stain for a lovely cherry-tinted mouth," says Stiles. A bright hue like Tarte's Frisky ($24; tartecosmetics.com is on-trend for summer with staying power to beat the heat. "The color will last for hours if you top it with a shiny balm like Rodin's ($28; at barneys.com)."

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How do I keep skin smooth & moist?

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"Use a gentle, pH-balanced skin cleanser followed by an anti-redness moisturizer like Aveeno Ultra-Calming Cream ($17; at drugstore.com)," advises Graf.

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How do I get my feet sandal-ready?

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Want your tricked out toes to be a focal point of your look like Sophia Bush? "Use a callous remover like Get Off Callous Softner ($29; at nordstrom.com), followed by a pumice or scrub to slough off dry skin," says celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann. "Soles become dry from the sand and salt; apply moisturizer before and after hitting the beach."

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How do I make concealer stay put?

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"Set your concealer with powder. If you don't, all of your hard work will fade before you know it," says Stiles. If you’re looking for under-eye coverage, Stiles recommends a Clarins concealer stick ($25; at nordstrom.com) or YSL Touche Eclat ($40; at nordstrom.com) to reduce the look of fine lines.

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How do I get rid of facial redness?

Credit: Courtesy of Fresh

"A moisturizer with soy will rapidly diminish skin redness and inflammation," says Graf. Try Fresh's Soy Face Cream ($38; at fresh.com), which is enriched with soy and an ultra-soothing blend of rosewater, cucumber and tea extracts.

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How important is SPF moisturizer?

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"SPF in moisturizer is a very easy way to reduce the amount of cumulative sun exposure and the damage that leads to skin cancer and premature aging," says Roberts. Amanda Seyfried's makeup artist Monika Blunder skips foundation and turns to a tinted SPF moisturizer in summer months. "It gives the skin a natural glow," she says.

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