Dermatologists' Summer Skin Secret
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| Photo: WWD |
"Before a beach vacation, I wear
sunscreen on my body every night. I do it for two to three weeks ahead so the sunscreen builds up in my stratum corneum, and it makes my skin less likely to burn," says Jeannette Graf, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.
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| Photo: Roger Cabello |
"I always look for 'oil-free' on [sunscreen] labels—'sheer' doesn't necessarily mean oil-free. I like
Topix Citrix Antioxidant Sunscreen SPF 30," says Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.
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| Photo: Courtesy of La Roche-Posay |
Simplify Your Routine
Heidi Waldorf, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, relies on
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Sunscreen Milk SPF 60. "I've stuck with it because it soaks in like a body lotion," she says.
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| Photo: Roger Cabello |
Avoid Ashiness
"Many sunscreens look white or ashy on dark skin. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are typically the problem," notes Susan C. Taylor, founding director of the Skin of Color Center at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City. She recommends
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55 and her own
Rx for Brown Skin Age Block UV Shield SPF 15.
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| Photo: Condé Nast Digital Studio |
Go Big at the Beach
"For heavy-duty outdoor activities, like a day at the beach, I use
Blue Lizard Sport SPF 30 sunscreen. It contains a chemical sunscreen and zinc oxide," says Waldorf. "I don't use it daily because it's thick and takes a long time to rub in, but it's very water-resistant. I can feel it on my skin, so I know it's there, and I like that."
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| Photo: Condé Nast Digital Studio |
Treat Sunburns
"It's all about getting the inflammation down as soon as possible to curb damage in the skin and to calm redness," says
Patricia Wexler, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center. "I soak a facecloth in a bowl of skim milk and ice and apply it to the area for five to ten minutes. I also take
aspirin or
ibuprofen and apply
hydrocortisone cream."
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| Photo: Courtesy of La Roche-Posay |
These facial mists "have natural minerals that will calm skin, and they make you look dewy," says Ranella Hirsch, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Boston University School of Medicine. Plus, when you sweat, you lose minerals necessary for healthy skin. "These sprays are like Gatorade for your face," explains Hirsch. Try
Vichy Laboratoires Thermal Spa Water or
La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water.
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| Photo: Condé Nast Digital Studio |
"An in-office
salicylic acid peel twice a month is my mainstay," says Taylor. "It clears up dulling, dead skin cells, which not only helps even out any discoloration, but also draws excess oil out of the pores and leaves skin less shiny." Alexiades-Armenakas gets a
superficial chemical peel that's a combination of trichloroacetic acid and glycolic or salicylic acid twice every summer. "It clears out the pores, kills bacteria inside, and slows oil production," she says. "And it tightens the look of pores."
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| Photo: Condé Nast Digital Studio |
"I wash with a prescription
sulfur-based cleanser called
Sumaxin and follow it with
Finacea gel, which reduces flushing and oil production. I've never found mattifying products that I love, but with this regimen, I don't need them," says Alexiades-Armenakas.
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| Photo: Roger Cabello |
Trade in Foundation
"I switch to
daily moisturizer with gradual self-tanner and SPF; my favorite is from
Jergens [Natural Glow Healthy Complexion Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 20]. It gives me a glow, so I look better overall—more awake and fresh," says Hirsch.
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