Change is Good:  Summer skin tends to be more oily than at other times of the year.  If you tend to have dry skin, you may need to switch to an oil-free moisturizer during the summer months.  If your skin tends to be oily, you may want to “lighten” your facial products by finding a moisturizer with SPF, rather than using both a moisturizer and sunscreen.  Or, try a tinted moisturizer and forego your foundation.

Keep it Clean:  Pores can get larger during summer, so cleanse your face both morning and night.  Remove eye make-up with a product made especially for that purpose.  Use a good cleanser, followed by a cooling toner.  If you have trouble with break-outs, your next step should be to apply an acne product.  Follow these steps with your moisturizer.

Off With the Old:  Exfoliation is important during summer when our skin tends to be more “exposed” than usual.  Sea sponges, loofahs and harsh scrubs should be saved for areas below your neck.  Use mild scrubs and masks on the face and neck area to remove dead skin cells, achieve deep cleansing and encourage a healthy glow.

Check Your Grocery List:  You can improve and protect your skin from the inside out.  Water plays an important role in the hydration process of your skin.  Also eating berries, especially strawberries, raspberries and blueberries that are rich in antioxidants can actually help heal dry, weather beaten skin.  Researchers at Harvard have found that eating the antioxidant lutein, which is found in dark-leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale, can actually protect the skin against some of the sun’s damaging effects.

A Friendly Reminder:  I would be remiss not to mention sunscreen.  I know you have heard it before, but it really is the most important part of protecting your skin both from the possibility of skin cancer and sun damage.  Remember to apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before you go into the sun, and reapply often following the manufacturer’s directions. Sunscreens work by absorbing harmful rays – look for a sunscreen that contains Parsol (chemical name: avobenzone) which is a very effective absorber.

Lip Service:  When thinking about sun-protection, don’t overlook your lips.  Find a lip balm that contains SPF and if you have a tendency towards cold-sores and fever blisters, one that has preventive medications as well.

After the Fact:  If your sunscreen application is less than successful and you find yourself suffering from too much sun exposure take some ibuprofen (such as Motrin or Advil) to reduce the skin’s inflammation.  Cool aloe gel (store in a refrigerator) or a wet wash cloth placed in the freezer for 10 minutes will also help to calm the area.

Before You Dress:  A great time to moisturize your skin is right after you step out of the shower.  Lightly towel off and while the skin is still slightly damp apply lotion thoroughly.  The process helps to counteract the drying effects of a warm shower and seals in the skin’s natural moisture.

Footwork:  Don’t forget your feet!  At no other time of the year are your feet so noticeable or on display.  Wearing sandals and worse, going barefoot, can wreak havoc on your feet - so take the extra time to make them beautiful.  Keep a foot file in the shower and take a minute each day to keep up with the dry, rough skin that gathers on the bottom of your feet.  My new favorite summer product (actually I’ll use it all year around) is Neutrogena’s Norwegian Formula Foot Cream.  It is a great cream to use every night – it’s not too greasy and has totally changed my feet!

Summer Products I Love:

Laura Mercier’s – Tinted Moisturizer (Contains SPF!)

Mary Kay’s – Oil-free Eye Make-up Remover

June Jacobs – Papaya Purifying Enzyme Masque

Johnson & Johnson: Clean & Clear – Oil Absorbing Sheets

Burt’s Bee – Lip Shimmer (No SPF, but soothing & moisturizing)

Neutrogena: Norwegian Formula – Foot Cream