With the warm weather comes every girl’s nightmare: sweaty, sticky, sometimes bumpy, less-than-perfect skin. This summer, don’t let your skincare take a vacation! We spoke with Ashley Aldridge, a dermatologist at Affiliated Troy Dermatologists in Michigan, and Janet Koprince, a Michigan-based dermatologist, to get fixes for the season’s biggest problems.
Sunburn
You get caught up in the excitement at your favorite amusement park, forget to apply sunscreen, and four hours later, you’re as red as a tomato. A painful sunburn can really put a damper on your summer fun.
To prevent it:
To avoid a burn, Aldridge says all people, no matter what skin color they have, should wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply it every two to three hours. When choosing a sunscreen, she recommends using one that contains physical blockers, such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. “Physical blockers are natural minerals that provide instant protection, whereas chemical sunscreens, found in a lot of over-the-counter brands, take half an hour to be effective,” she says. Dermalogica’s Super Sensitive Face Block ($45 at DermStore.com) and Neutrogena’s Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum ($10.49 at Neutrogena.com) are some great physical blocker sunscreens to try.
To fix it:
While sunburn is highly uncomfortable, it can be relatively easy to soothe your symptoms! Aldridge says using anti-inflammatory gels will help alleviate the stinging pain associated with burns. Mill Creek Botanicals’s 99% Aloe Vera Gel ($5.99 at Walgreens) or another generic brand of aloe vera will do the trick. She adds that over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream, like this one by Aveeno ($5.60 at Aveeno.com), is also effective for treating inflammation caused by mild sunburns. For more extreme cases, you can take ibuprofen to help ease the pain. While it isn’t ideal to stay inside on a beautiful day, avoiding the sun will help quicken the healing process. If you must go outside, try to stay in the shade and keep the burn covered.
Dull or Dry Skin
Hanging out by the pool is a summer necessity, but the continuous exposure to sun, chlorine, and heat can make your skin drier than the Sahara. Hydration plays a major role in your overall health, and it’s also the key to healthy skin.
To prevent it:
Moisturizing is crucial here! Aldridge says the best time to moisturize is when your skin is still damp. She suggests that after you shower, you apply lotion generiously to areas that are prone to being dry: your elbows, knees, ankles, and thighs, as well as behind your arms. After applying lotion, gently pat your skin dry with a towel. This helps trap the water molecules in the surface of your skin. Keeping a bottle of body lotion in your bathroom can make this step super easy! Nivea’s Smooth Sensation Triple Action Daily Lotion ($17.69 at Walmart.com) and The Body Shop’s Cocoa Butter Hand & Body Lotion ($12 at thebodyshop-usa.com) are lotions that will help lock in moisture for smoother skin. Drinking lots of water is also a simple way to hydrate your skin!
To fix it:
A buildup of dead skin cells leads to the dry, cracked skin that every girl loathes. In order for lotion to do its job, the dead cell wall needs to be removed. You can do this by exfoliating in the shower or using an acidic lotion when you moisturize. Aldridge says that lotions with salicylic acid double as an exfoliator to remove these unwanted dead skin cells. Looking for a good exfoliator? Try C.O. Bigelow’s Mentha Body Exfoliating Soap ($7.50 at Bath & Body Works).
Koprince says your skin becomes sensitive after exfoliating, so it is important to wear sunscreen or stay covered if you know you’ll be going outside. She also says wearing sunscreen after exfoliating helps lock the moisture in.
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Acne
You wake up, and there it is… another pimple. Where do they even come from?! According to Aldridge, “acne is caused by a variety of factors, one of them being excess oil, which is a result of sweating.” With the rising temperatures, it may seem impossible to stay cool. But don’t fret; there are ways to keep your skin looking and feeling fresh (and pimple-free).
To prevent it:
To stop pimples in their tracks, Aldridge says collegiettes need to practice good cleansing methods. This includes washing your face with an oil-free cleanser in the morning and evening, as well as after completing any outdoor or sweat-inducing activity. Try Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser ($6.29 at Walgreens). Neutrogena’s Oil Free Acne Wash Cream Cleanser ($5.99 at Neutrogena.com) is another good face wash you can try.
While cleansing is important, Aldridge suggests using a salicylic acid toner for more tricky areas as well. “Toning can be helpful on your ‘T-zone,’ or your forehead and your nose,” Aldridge says. “This is where the face has the most oil glands.” Clean & Clear Essentials Deep Cleaning Toner ($5.99 at CVS) helps prevent and treat pimples simultaneously. A regular cleansing, toning, and moisturizing routine should keep pimples at bay.
To fix it:
For those pesky pimples that keep popping up no matter what you try, there are medications you can try. A quick spot treatment using benzoyl peroxide gel can help target the breakout without irritating surrounding skin. Neutrogena’s On-The-Spot Acne Treatment ($5.75 at drugstore.com) is a great treatment for stubborn acne. While it can be tempting, Aldridge says that popping your pimples is never the cure. “It can lead to scarring… and then that combined with sun can lead to postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, or brown spots, left behind from inflamed acne,” she says.
Heat Rash
While most common in babies, heat rash also affects active collegiettes. Koprince explains that as sweat becomes trapped under clothing and in the skin, it results in irritation and inflammation. Heat rash appears as tiny, itchy bumps and/or blisters in the irritated areas. If you wear creams or lotions in the heat and sweat profusely, your skin is unable to breathe and perspire normally, says Koprince.
To prevent it:
Aldridge recommends using baby powder before, during, and after physical activity to help absorb excess sweat and keep the area feeling dry. Wiping off with a wipe or towel is also helpful because it prevents sweat from accumulating on your skin. She says showering and changing clothes after any sweat-inducing activity will prevent the sweat from sitting on the skin for too long.
To fix it:
For those with heat rash, the fix is simple: wait it out. Typically, the rash will go away within three to seven days. To ease the inflammation and pain, Koprince says an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream, which can be found at any drugstore, can be used. She adds that the best option is to avoid the sun and stay covered with light, breathable clothing.
When you’re out and about this summer, remember these quick fixes to keep your skin radiantly healthy! Have any of your own remedies for HC? Let us know in the comments below.