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The Tease sat down with Maxim's own skin consultant Brittany to answer some of your most burning questions about how to have great summer skin.
TT: What are the major summer skin enemies?
B: The three worst summer skin culprits are sweat, chlorine, and the sun. Light exfoliation in the evening at bedtime can really help combat the first two by removing dead skin cells and built up oils, chemicals, and bacteria. When it comes to the sun, people need to be smart.
TT: Are you saying that there are people who still are not wearing sunscreen?
B: There shouldn't be, but there are. It's normal to want the summer glow that comes with having a great summer tan. Honestly, I want that, too. But, I’ve seen the havoc sun damage can have on people's skin in terms of generating wrinkles, aging, discoloration, roughness... the list goes on and on. Suntans, sunburns, freckling, blotchy skin, that's all sun damage. That's why I always remind my clients to WEAR SUNSCREEN. It's the number one thing you can do to make sure your skin stays healthy in the summer and keeps your skin looking young looking and beautiful. That and stay away from tanning beds.
I've heard people repeat the myth that a lower power sunscreen is just as effective as a higher power, but I don’t buy it. My clients are encouraged to wear an SPF of 50, apply 30 minutes before even going out into the sun and reapply according to product directions. The reality is you will still get color with SPF on and can also use self-tanners as a much healthier way to get that glow.
TT: What if people do get burned... what do they do?
B: When treating sun damaged skin, it’s important to calm and sooth so the skin can repair and recover. Maxim offers an Ultra Calming line of products with aloe that reduces redness and inflammation and provides general, overall soothing to effected areas. People should also make sure to cover up and stay out of the sun until it has healed. The worst thing they can do is to start pealing dead skin. That will expose skin that has not yet properly healed and put you at risk for additional sun damage and infection. For people with prolonged redness, the spa offers facial treatments that fight hyper-pigmentation.
TT: Should our daily skin routines change in the summer?
B: Yes. Seasonal changes often impact skincare regimes. In the summer, your daily routine should consist of cleansing, exfoliating, SPF, and moisturizing. A gentle cleanser with built in light exfoliation, preferably a microfoliant powder, foam or gel, is great for everyday use. For those with oily skin, try a medibac cleanser for extra oil absorption. Apply sun screen and moisturizer as usual. Tinted, light, cream-based foundations and bronzer finish the look.
TT: Why do I need to moisturize my skin in the summer?
B: The sun can actually be very dehydrating to skin. So can salt in oceans and chlorine in pools. Moisturizing is just as important in the summer as it is any other time of the year. Make sure to pay special attention to the skin around your eyes to keep it looking nice and firm. This skin is much thinner than any other part and is the first to show signs of aging. Also, drink water like it's your job!
TT: What are your best summer skin tips?
B: So many! I love to store my eye cream in the refrigerator. Not only does the cooler temperature help combat puffiness, but it's also so refreshing and the application feels so good going on when it's hot outside.
I also like to mix my Dermalogica Solar Defense sunscreen with my moisturizer. It eliminates a step in the morning and goes on really smoothly so I know my face is protected. I’d strongly recommend using a cream SPF as they tend to have better UV ray blockage, but if you're using a spray, you still need to make sure you rub it in really well so you don't miss any areas or have a spotty application.
We sell a product at the salon called Tend Skin that helps prevent bumps and in grown hairs after shaving or waxing. Basically, it eliminates the bacteria and eases any irritation. This is an easy solution to a problem that almost all people have.
Summer can be brutal on hair. So when it comes to your hair and scalp, I use tea tree oil shampoo to moisturize and clarifying shampoo to help exfoliate. I also bump up the amount of conditioner and use a hydrating mask on my hair once a week. This will prevent your hair from turning into something that feels like straw!
TT: With so many people getting married (or going to weddings) in the summer, is there anything they need to be thinking about in regards to their skin?
B: Brides that come in regularly for facials every 4-6 weeks leading up to the wedding will notice a couple of things. First, they will literally have a summer glow with radiant, moisturized, brightened skin, and secondly their makeup will go on easier and smoother. Just make sure to talk to your skin consultant about the amount of exfoliation that takes place. With any deep exfoliation, you should stay out of the sun for at least 24 hours afterwards so as not to open yourself up to a greater chance of sun damage.
TT: What's in your beach bag?
B: I always have sunglasses and water plus Dermalogica SPF Lip balm and a spray-on toner. I love the Ultra Calming toner to spritz my face when my skin feels dry or I need a pick-me- up. It hydrates and cools. Also a cream-based sunscreen, SPF 50. Sunscreen.
Oh, and did I mention sunscreen!