Common Summer Skin Care Issues
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Summer is so much fun! But skin issues aren’t.
Here are a few common skin care issues that people can get during the summer, along with tips for how to avoid them.
Acne
If you struggle with acne, the problem can worsen when your skin is sweaty. Take these steps to reduce breakouts from sweating:
Blot sweat with a clean cloth or towel. (Rubbing can irritate your skin.)
Make sure to wash any sweaty hats or clothing before you wear them again.
Use skincare products that are labeled “non-comedogenic,” “oil-free,” or “won’t clog pores.”
Dry, Irritated Skin
Dry skin isn’t just for the cold months. Even with humidity in the air, sun, chlorine, salt, and air conditioning can dry your skin. Here are a few tips:
Apply sunscreen before going outdoors, using one that offers broad-spectrum protection, SPF 30+, and water resistance.
Use a mild cleanser to shower with warm (not hot) water immediately after getting out of the pool or ocean.
Use a fragrance-free moisturizer within five minutes of when you get out of the shower and whenever your skin feels dry.
Turn the air conditioner up if your skin feels dry indoors.
Melasma
Sunlight is one of the triggers of melasma, which causes brown, tan, grayish brown, or bluish-gray patches on the face, depending on your skin tone. Other triggers are pregnancy and birth control pills. To avoid triggering melasma with sunlight:
Apply sunscreen before going outdoors, using one that offers broad-spectrum protection, SPF 30+, and water resistance. Also, ensure your sunscreen has zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide to physically limit the effects of the sun’s rays on your skin and iron oxide.
Use gentle, fragrance-free products that won’t irritate your skin.
Avoid waxing any areas of skin that have melasma.
Sun Allergy
You can get hives (an allergic reaction of your skin) from the sun if you take certain medications or have a family history of this condition. To avoid having an allergic reaction to the sun:
Make sure to check your medication labels for any warnings about sun exposure.
If you know of family history or have experienced hives from the sun before, avoid too much sun exposure by staying in the shade, protecting your skin with sunscreen, and wearing protective clothing outdoors.
