Avoid these summer skin care mistakes and come fall your skin will thank you.
1. Skimping on Sunscreen
UV exposure ages your skin faster than anything else setting off a cascade of free radicals that lead to age spots, wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin. Summertime means more sunny days and stronger rays, so do your skin a favor and start every day with an SPF.
2. Using the Sun as an Acne Treatment
While sunlight can increase cellular turnover and temporarily make blemishes less visible, it’s a poor trade-off for the adverse effects it brings—inflammation, oxidative stress, a proliferation of pore-clogging dead skin cells, pigmentation and cellular damage.
3. Spot Treating
Spot treating is not treating. When you spot treat only the individual lesion, you allow bacteria in the surrounding skin to continue to grow and spread. To really clear your skin, you need to treat the underlying condition and that means using your skin care product all over your face. If you are treating dark spots, the same holds true. Treat the dark spot and surrounding area to avoid brightening in patches.
4. Not Exfoliating
Hot weather means more sweating, oil and dead skin cells, therefore more opportunity for breakouts and impactions. Exfoliation, whether scrubs or masks, chemical peels, or a combination of both is recommended, is essential to clear away pore-clogging dead skin cells, avoid breakouts and the inflammation scars that follow and keep skin clear and healthy.
5. Picking at a Sunburn
Somehow, despite your best efforts, you managed to get a sunburn. Damage control is your top priority. Though it’s tempting to peel flaking skin, don’t. The dead skin is still attached to living skin. When that gets pulled away, you will create a painful wound that can lead to scarring and hyperpigmentation.
6. Forgetting Your Sunglasses
Those oversized sunglasses are more than a fashion accessory. They’re a shield from the damaging effects of UV radiation. The skin around the eyes is thinner and more delicate than other parts of your face. Damage will show up here more quickly than other areas. Invest in a good pair of sunglasses with UV protection to filter both UVA and UVB rays.
7. Ignoring the Décolleté
The skin of the décolleté area has fewer oil glands, less elasticity and thinner tissue. It’s also frequently exposed to sun and environmental elements, making it particularly vulnerable to the effects of UV and pollutants.
Daily SPF is essential to protect this delicate area.
8. Not Using an Antioxidant & Peptide
Research shows that together, Antioxidants and Peptides have a synergistic reaction that optimizes and prevents future cellular damage and maximizes the photoprotective effects, making the combination superior to either ingredient alone. Benefits include neutralizing harmful free radicals, repairing cellular damage, boosting collagen, brightening and firming tone.