Healthy SkinHealthy Skin: Six Simple Summer Skin Tips

Beautiful skin is healthy skin. Dr. Susan Evans, a renowned Beverly Hills dermatologist, offers practical advice for all skin types.
With ongoing climate changes (hello, heat wave!) and the ever-present penetrating rays from the sun, how do you take care of your skin?  With so many seasonal variances, is it possible to maintain a healthy year-round glow?
Throughout the year, within my clinical practice, I see a variety of unique seasonal skin concerns. I usually begin with identifying each individual’s skin type and then determine the best approach.
On a recent CNN segment, I talked about the sun and tanning. Sure, everyone wants to look great with healthy glowing radiant skin, especially in the summer. But did you know the majority of all premature aging is due to sun damage?

Here are six simple summer skin tips that will get you help you achieve that glow and look your best:

1. The best way to protect yourself this summer and keep your skin looking great is to use sunscreen everyday. Use a sunscreen that is a combination sunscreen and moisturizer (your skin surface needs extra lubrication in the summer months). You need to nourish your skin with healthy vitamins and anti-oxidants, so that while you are protecting your skin from the sun, you also  receive long-term benefits.
2. Make sure you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Eat plenty of fruits and salads to keep your skin looking firmer, and your digestive track healthy.
3. For any skin type, make sure to cleanse your skin daily! In your morning and evening routine, you want to make sure you wash off the toxins on your skin. Look for a cleanser that is gentle to your skin. Look for cleansers with AH and BH acids or papaya-based products. The papain enzyme within papaya helps to remove dead skin cells and encourage new skin growth.
4. Wear lip balms that are moisturized to your skin for the summer, with a minimum of 15 SPF. Lip balms without sun protection should be avoided because the “gloss” may attract the harmful UV rays.
5. Make sure you exfoliate your skin two to three times a week to remove unwanted dead skin that may be clogging your pores.
6. Use a toner right after cleansing your skin. Toners help restore the pH balance to your skin, which makes your skin surface less susceptible to unwanted bacteria growth.

If You Have Oily Skin
Carry around a blotter to remove the oil from your skin throughout the day. Look for products with BHA to keep the pores clean. Once a week, follow up with a clay mask. At night, after cleansing, use an oil-free moisturizer to help soothe the skin, and keep the skin moisturized while you are sleeping! Look for products that are alcohol-free, in order to avoid overdrying your skin.
If You Have Dry Skin
Make sure you moisturize daily, especially right after the shower. Your moisturizer should be left on to allow penetration and absorption into deeper layers of your skin. Follow this routine twice a day. Make sure you avoid artificial moisturizers since they are not adding value to your skin care routine!  Look for a scrub or cleanser with AHA, that breaks down the dead skin and doesn’t allow the moisture to get in. Look for a toner that is gentle to your skin, like rose water. Once the dead skin is removed, the moisturizer is easier to penetrate. Use a hydration mask, at least once a week.
If You Have Normal Skin
If you have normal skin, then you are lucky! You want to keep your skin protected and moisturized throughout the day. Look for a scrub or cleanser with AHA or BHA and cleanse twice a day. Use a lighter moisturizer for the summer months — something that will not clog up your pores.
Follow these skin care tips and may you achieve that healthy summer glow.